John and Christine Deck have worked hard since 2004 to create a thriving, busy and healthy farm. It took creativity, hard work and determination to get to know their land and learn its needs and features. It required seeking help and advice from experts in agriculture, stream ecology, soil science and so many more areas. They also navigated the world of funding to find grants for large improvement projects.
“It would have been nice to have more assistance navigating all of that over the years,” says John Deck.
Now, as an advisory team member, he is helping the Upper Willamette Stewardship Network’s Working Lands program, led by Penny Feltner, to make that whole process easier and more accessible.
“Our goal is to provide specialized conservation planning support for working farms and ranches,” said Feltner. “Many other groups do great (conservation) work but don't have the farmer/rancher needs in mind.”
As part of the Upper Willamette Stewardship Network, Working Lands helps farmers and landowners navigate government and private resources to improve their use of natural resources while enhancing their own farming goals.
“For instance, at Deck Family Farm they have streamside enhancement and regenerative practices on the farm that are additive to the ecosystems rather than extractive,” said Feltner. “Sustainable grazing is additive to the land rather than extractive to the land. We farmers don't have a perfect track record on this. But [bad practices don't] have to continue and we’d love more people to see that.”
Feltner says livestock grazing isn’t bad for the environment. “You have to be thoughtful about it,” she said. “In a landscape like we have in Oregon it makes sense to have grazing animals in touch with the land. It doesn't make sense everywhere. Don't deforest the Amazon to make pasture for cattle… That doesn't make sense.”
John Deck was part of Working Land’s Farmer Technical Advisory Team. The team helped figure out the barriers and challenges to adopting on-farm conservation, giving their opinion on what services are helpful and where there are some gaps to fill.
Feltner said Oregon is strong in conservation efforts, generally. But all those different organizations are scattered and it can be difficult to know who to work with and how. Working Lands tries to fill that gap, she said.
“We are a navigator,” said Feltner. “We go out and do site visits and assess a property for opportunities and threats. What strengths does your property have and what weaknesses? We work with the farm manager on what a transition to more regenerative management could look like.”
The goals usually begin with building soil, conserving water, enhancing wildlife habitat and protecting waterways.
“Once they have that plan on paper it helps them take the first steps,” she said. “And then we connect them to programs: funding, workshops, education.”
During the past 12 months, Working Lands has grown, engaging with 100 new farmers. If you know someone who would benefit from their advice, please share! Working Lands is a non-profit, voluntary program. Feltner covers a region from Junction City to Cottage Grove.
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