Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Black Farmers Collective
February is Black History Month, a time to honor the rich contributions of Black individuals and communities throughout history. Meet the Black Farmers Collective, a grassroots organization dedicated to increasing food access, building community and supporting Black farmers in the Pacific Northwest.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides
The Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticide’s (NCAP) work is more important now than ever. They are on a mission to protect community and environmental health and inspire the use of ecologically friendly solutions to reduce the use of pesticides.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Gallatin Food Bank
During the holidays, food is a central part of celebrations – from feasts to hot cider, it brings us together. But for many people, food is a limited resource and rising prices the past couple of years have made access even harder. That’s where food banks, like the Gallatin Valley Food Bank in Bozeman, Montana step in.
Giving Tuesday: OGC’s Mission Fund Impact
On this Giving Tuesday, we’re introducing you to the amazing recipients of our 2024 Mission Fund giving. We awarded $119,500 in grants to 58 supply chain partners and allies.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Elderberry Wisdom Farm
Our connection to this land and nature is one of our most vital relationships. To honor that, we must also honor the original peoples of this land.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Marion Polk Food Share
Marion Polk Food Share’s mission is to bring people together to end hunger and its root causes. And they do that in multiple innovative ways.
Apples with Purpose: Supporting Kids, One Crunch at a Time
As the Northwest organic Fuji apple harvest reaches full production, these fan-favorites are being packed into cheery Ladybug Brand Farm to School Apple bags.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Willamette Riverkeeper
Willamette Riverkeeper (WKR)'s mission is to protect and restore the Willamette River – believing that a river with good water quality and abundant natural habitat that’s safe for fishing and swimming is a basic public right.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Sundance Natural Foods
Sundance’s tagline, “small enough to meet your neighbors, big enough to meet your needs” is a perfect description – they're a natural foods store that’s been around for over 50 years with a homegrown, hippie vibe in beautiful Eugene, OR.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Bethel Farm
Located in northwest Eugene, the Bethel School District is taking an innovative approach to reaching at-risk and struggling youth by connecting them to organic agriculture.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Organic Seed Alliance
Seeds are the foundation of life on earth. The future of our food supply, and everything else, hinges on a healthy seed supply. But seed industry consolidation, intellectual property restrictions and climate change are threatening this tiny yet essential resource.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Western Environmental Law Center
OGC’s Mission Fund Grant Program helps grow the organic agriculture movement and protect the climate by supporting hard working growers, customers and mission-aligned organizations working toward a healthier more sustainable food future. Western Environmental Law Center is just one of the many organizations the Mission Fund supported in 2023.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: People’s Land Fund
Imagine a world where community is centered, resources are shared and we thrive together. The founders of the People’s Land Fund not only imagined it…they’re creating it.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Black Food Fund
In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to introduce Mission Fund grant recipient Black Food Fund.
“As people of African descent, our work finds its meaning and strength in a powerful legacy of community building and collective struggle,” said Jamese Kwele, Co-Founder of the Black Food Fund.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Co-op Market Grocery & Deli
Co-op Market Grocery & Deli, located in Fairbanks, started 10 years ago as the first retail food co-op in Alaska. They wanted to give local suppliers a place to sell their goods, create a community-gathering spot where people could buy food and help solve the fresh food desert in their area. Now, there are three food co-ops in Alaska that work together to bring more food options to their community.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Washington Farmland Trust
Supporting farms and protecting farmland is essential. Washington Farmland Trust (WFT) has been working for decades to preserve farmland and assist a new generation of farmers. Their wide-ranging programs include farmland conservation efforts, land access technical assistance, stewardship initiatives, sustainability efforts, and more.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Kitchen Table Advisors
KTA supports small farmers and ranchers who use organic practices and are focused on environmental and social change in the food system. Their vision is to rebuild a food system rooted in community, justice and ecological responsibility. To make this vision a reality, KTA makes it a priority to work with owners of small farms and ranches who have historically been excluded from resources and recognition within our food system – namely the BIPOC, women, low-income, immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities.
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: McKenzie River Trust
“We’re grateful to be able to provide a place where people can connect with nature without obstacles,” said Holly McRae, events and outreach manager at the McKenzie River Trust. “One of the cool things about the McKenzie River Trust is our incredible circle of supporters, including OGC. It would be hard to do this work without a whole community behind you, and the McKenzie River Trust really has that.”
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Kiss the Ground
“Things feel like they’re starting to come together. There’s a lot of hope – people are seeing results, and farmers are saying the soil is changing,” said Nathan Rice, Communications and Marketing Director at Kiss the Ground. “Organizations like Organically Grown Company are important for this change – both by promoting organic, which keeps toxic pesticides off the land, and financially supporting our work.”
Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Viva Farms
“It’s inspiring to have a partner that helps us help our farmers – not only move their product and tell the stories but also financially supports the work directly,” said Michael Frazier, executive director of Viva Farms. “We’re a small team, trying to lift a heavy load. To have partners see, understand and support the work in the way that OGC does is essential.”