The Climate Change Fund was created by the Oregon Legislature as part of a larger drought relief measure that also included $40 million for farmers. The funds are only available until June 2023. Workers are eligible for compensation for up to two weeks of work, or $1250, depending on their situation.

For the past 36 years, One Community Health (OCH) has delivered medical and outreach services to growers and seasonal farmworkers during sweet cherry harvest. This year is no exception, with OCH staff hoping to reach over 3,000 farmworkers.

Wheat harvests in Oregon and Washington are forecasted to surpass 2021 yields by as much as 41 to 85 percent due to heavy rainfall and cooler spring and summer temperatures.

“This would be a commercial facility,” said Dan Spatz, Capitol Project Director for Columbia Community College. “Such a facility would provide an essential service for test runs and small batches for mid- and large-sized brewers. In concert with the AA in Food Science & Fermentation, this facility could also provide students with valuable and necessary hands-on experience.”

Does your town, business, non-profit, or local government produce climate-smart commodities or have an idea for a climate-smart program that needs funding? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will invest $1 billion in partnerships to support climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.