East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District

09/03/2026

This past year, the solar panels on EMSWCD’s Headwaters barn and equipment shed surpassed 550MWh (megawatt-hours) of solar energy produced since it was installed in 2020. That’s a LOT of juice! At around 88MWh a year, this covers about 90% of the electricity we use across all farm facilities. To put it in a different light, here are some approximate equivalents for that yearly amount of power:

50 average American households

15,000 hours running a hair dryer

1,750,000 miles driven by an electric vehicle (67 times around the equator!)

43,230,000 cell phone charges

EMSWCD’s investment in solar energy works in tandem with other environmental infrastructure investments made at Headwaters. These improvements include a streamside buffer around Johnson Creek, fish passage improvements, pollinator habitats, and efforts to foster heathy soils. Altogether, these features tell a powerful story of how agriculture can be a positive force in protecting our natural environment.

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

⭐️Intern Spotlight!⭐️⁠

Jireh joined EMSWCD in June 2026 to support the District’s community engagement and outreach efforts. She was drawn to this internship because she has seen how increasing urban development can leave less space for nature and wildlife to thrive.

Jireh is especially interested in finding ways to improve land use in urban areas and is excited to be part of work that helps create healthier, more resilient communities for both people and wildlife.

She discovered this opportunity through Avenues to College at New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit that supports young people who have experienced foster care. Outside of work, Jireh enjoys making pottery and spending time with her three feline companions. One day, she hopes to live in a home surrounded by all kinds of animals.

Jireh's internship is a partnership with POIC's (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center) Roots of Change program, an internship program that provides young people with job skills for environmental stewardship and green economy careers.

08/27/2026

Beyond the Lawn episode 2 is out! 🪻🌼 https://youtu.be/cf2GA4sZfWQ

Andrew Felton's thriving yard pops off throughout the year, where lush lupine leads to seaside daisy, and native and ornamental plants grow alongside each other.

Beyond the Lawn is our new video series that shows how real people use native plants and a dash of creativity to turn their lawn, patio, or parking strip into thriving, resilient oases that protect our waterways.

Thank you to our project partners: Backyard Habitat Certification Program, Clackamas SWCD, Clark Conservation District, Columbia Land Trust, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Marion Soil & Water Conservation District, McKenzie Watershed Council, Eugene Water & Electric Board, and Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District.

08/26/2026

The finalized Multnomah County Climate Justice Plan (CJP) is heading to the Board of County Commissioners for formal adoption on August 27!

What is the Climate Justice Plan?
The CJP presents solutions that address the needs of people experiencing the worst harm from the climate crisis, and provide benefits for all. By working together for clean air and water, more trees and shade, clean and renewable energy, and a sense of shared purpose and participation, our entire community will be better off without leaving anyone behind.

The CJP was developed by 13 community-based organizations representing and serving frontline communities: APANO, Coalition of Communities of Color, Community Energy Project, Multnomah County Youth Commission Portland NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, Neighbors for Clean Air, NW Energy Coalition, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Rahab’s Sisters, Self Enhancement, Inc., Unite Oregon, Verde, and Multnomah County.

Read more about the plan and how to attend the board meeting here: https://multco.us/info/climate-justice-plan

08/25/2026

⭐️Intern Spotlight!⭐️⁠
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Aqdas joined EMSWCD in June 2026 to support outreach efforts to increase awareness of the District’s conservation resources and programs. She collaborates with staff and community partners on outreach projects and campaigns, helps create welcoming and inclusive spaces for people from diverse communities to participate in EMSWCD’s programs and events, and supports data-related projects. She is also seeking to learn more about how GIS can be used to strengthen environmental conservation and community outreach.⁠
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Originally from Afghanistan, Aqdas saw firsthand how limited access to clean water affects people’s daily lives – which is why this work is important to her. Aqdas earned her bachelor’s degree in data science, and she looks forward to exploring how data can be used to better understand environmental challenges and support conservation efforts. In her free time, Aqdas likes hiking, watching documentaries, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.⁠
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Aqdas's internship is a partnership with POIC's (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center) Roots of Change program, an internship program that provides young people with job skills for environmental stewardship and green economy careers.

08/14/2026

Watch Feeding America's spotlight on one of our Headwaters farmers, Maxi , where she talks about her focus on community care and journey from small gardener to farmer.

“What inspired me to launch myself into a project bigger than a community garden was seeing the need in the community, especially when COVID happened—when all the stores were empty,” Maxi said. “We didn’t have vegetables anywhere. During that time, I had a small garden which thankfully to that garden, my family and I were able to survive. We were also able to share with neighbors, going door to door, offering small bags of vegetables from my garden.”

You can read the full story on the blog here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-blog/home-gardener-farmer-united-i-know-we-can-achieve-so-much-more

08/13/2026

We have a new Forever Farm!

EMSWCD finalized two new Forever Farm easements with Surface Nursery, permanently protecting a total of 86 acres of the district’s largest, most productive, and long-established farm properties. Founded in 1925 by Melvin Surface and now operated by Debbie Surface, Surface Nursery represents nearly a century of family farming in Multnomah County. These new agreements build on an earlier Forever Farm partnership between the nursery and EMSWCD and reflect a shared commitment to keeping the land in active agricultural use for generations to come.

“Our family has been farming this land for nearly a century and protecting it for the future just feels like the right thing to do. This partnership with EMSWCD allows us to keep Surface Nursery working as a farm, growing high-quality plants, while making sure the land itself will always be available for agriculture. We’re proud to be part of a larger effort to keep farming viable in this area for generations to come.” Debbie Surface, Owner, Surface Nursery

Read more about Forever Farms and our partnership with Surface Nursery here: https://emswcd.org/surface-nursery-doubles-down-on-its-forever-farm-land-protection-commitment/

08/12/2026

08/05/2026

Registration is open! Visit our webpage at: beav.es/smallfarmschool

Join us on September 16, 2026 at Clackamas Community College for a full day of hands-on classes.

Be sure to register as soon as you can, in order to reserve a spot in all three of your preferred classes. Early bird registration goes until September 4.
Check out our webpage to learn more

Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills, there's something for every small farm and homestead.

📍 Clackamas Community College
📅 September 16, 2026

Registration is open now — don't miss your spot! Link in bio.