The intention of this statement is to guide OFMA decisions, actions, advocacy and allocation of resources as we work toward becoming an anti-racist organization.

Farmers markets are part of an agricultural system based in a history of racism and oppression, from the theft of Indigenous land by white European colonizers, to centuries of stolen labor through the enslavement of African people, and continued exploitation of Indigenous and Latinx farmworkers and workers of color across the food system. 

Oregon’s history of exclusion and racism in land access, agricultural loans, housing policy, immigration, and other systems has led to disparities in wealth, income and opportunity. As a result, many farmers markets in Oregon are majority-white spaces and have not traditionally served Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in our communities. Lack of representation and white-dominant culture can exclude both vendors and shoppers of color.

OFMA aspires for farmers markets to be supportive, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all of Oregon’s community members.

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OFMA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is a group of volunteers supporting our association with realizing the anti-racism goals outlined in our DEI Statement.

This support includes recommendations for tools and resources for markets, assessing OFMA’s organizational policies and practices, and expanding the organization’s approach to addressing agricultural inequities like land access and labor rights.

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Monthly committee meetings currently take place by video call on the 3rd Monday of the month at 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM.

Volunteer time on the committee includes attending monthly meetings plus an additional 3 to 5 hours of committee work between calls. Hours may be concentrated to different times of the year, depending on the work being done (planning for OFMA's Annual Meeting for example).

For questions about the committee, email Amanda Cross.

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