Oregon officials used a Feb. 13 agriculture gathering in Salem to preview a new approach to supporting food and agriculture businesses: a pilot network designed to help producers and processors find funding and technical assistance through a clearer, more coordinated “front door.”
The concept — a regional food and agriculture business center pilot being developed with SEDCOR — was presented as a practical fix for a common frustration in agriculture: programs exist, dollars exist, and partners exist, but they often operate in parallel. The result, speakers said, is that businesses spend too much time navigating disconnected systems and not enough time expanding capacity or reaching new markets.
The 2026 SEDCOR Ag Breakfast, held at Chemeketa Community College’s Agriculture Hub, brought together growers, producers, processors and ag-supporting businesses from across the Mid-Willamette Valley. New this year, organizers also built in a networking and resource hour after the formal program so attendees could connect directly with speakers, industry experts and resource partners…