The Dust Bowl of the 1930s left a lasting impact on American agriculture, prompting significant changes in farming practices to combat soil erosion. Today, the legacy continues through organizations dedicated to preserving soil and water quality, such as the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District.
Established in 1950 by a coalition of farmers and landowners focused on soil erosion, the district seeks to educate the community about sustainable farming practices. Kelly Beamer, the district’s executive director, reflects on the historical context, stating, “Our district was started in 1950 by a group of passionate landowners and farmers that wanted to come together and focus on soil erosion.”
Initially, Multnomah County was predominantly rural, with a wealth of small farms. However, the area has undergone significant urbanization, now housing around 800,000 residents, leading some to question the relevance of a conservation district in such a landscape.
Beamer strongly advocates for the district’s continued necessity. “We absolutely still need a soil and water conservation district,” she insisted, emphasizing their ongoing work to revitalize riparian areas to support salmon habitats and initiatives to create community and rain gardens. Efforts also include increasing tree canopies to help maintain cooler neighborhoods.
A major objective of the district is to preserve agricultural land amidst mounting development pressures. This was exemplified last year when the owners of the 10-acre Crooked Tine Farm, located near Troutdale, decided to sell their property to retire. With an asking price of $815,000—which reflected its potential for development—the owners wished to ensure it remained an operational farm.
Through the district’s Forever Farm program, the property was placed under a conservation easement, effectively preventing future development or zoning changes. Beamer noted, “The value of the land goes down because there are no more mineral rights for Crooked Tine Farm, or timber rights or development rights.”
As a result, the district purchased the property for its full asking price of $815,000 but sold it to new owners at a reduced price of $500,000 to maintain its agricultural function. Bear Carter, the new owner, credited the program with making farm ownership feasible for her and her partner. “Before we found this property, I didn’t know what the soil and water conservation board was,” Carter admitted. “They have made purchasing and conserving farmland a possibility. And it’s a partnership.”
Carter further clarified that the restrictions tied to the land do not hinder their ambitions, noting, “Most of them are things that we wouldn’t do anyway. We’re not going to turn this into a dirt bike park or dump a bunch of rusty old cars down at the end of the property.” Their primary focus remains farming despite challenges like a beetle infestation ruining their cucumber crop, alongside successful carrot harvests, which highlight the realities of agricultural life.
The Forever Farm program has supported 14 new farms in the area over the past 13 years, fostering local agriculture against the backdrop of urban development. The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District is funded through approximately $6.4 million in property taxes, translating to around $53 annually for the typical homeowner in Portland.
The district has adapted over the years to reflect the shifting demographics of the area. Two years ago, a significant change occurred whereby all board members were no longer required to own at least 10 acres of land to be elected. This has allowed for more diverse representation, exemplified by new board member Ramona DeNies, who resides in the Montavilla neighborhood, far removed from farmland.
DeNies underscored the significance of preserving natural resources within her urban constituency, saying, “We have headwaters of salmon streams that are captured within the district that I represent. It’s very important to me that these are healthy salmon streams.” Currently, she is collaborating on removing a dam along Kelly Creek at Mt. Hood Community College to further this cause.
Elections for the board of the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District occur every two years, allowing the community to have a say in its management. Oregon boasts 45 such districts across the state, which are part of a wider network of over 3,000 districts nationally, all dedicated to enhancing and preserving vital soil and water resources for future generations.
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