Working on Common Ground
In 2002 the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) published a report of interviews with agriculturalists in Oregon about their environmental concerns. In August 2008, OEC published a companion report, Working on Common Ground.
In 2002 the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) published Building a Dialogue Between Oregon Agriculture and the Conservation Community, [PDF] describing the results of interviews with agriculturalists throughout Oregon about their environmental concerns, their relationship with environmentalists, and opportunities to work together on common ground. These interviews formed the basis for the creation of OEC’s Healthy Food and Farms Program and still inform our collaborative approach.
In August 2008, OEC published a companion report, Working on Common Ground. [PDF] In many ways this is a mirror image of the earlier report. It is a summary of author Peter Bloome’s interviews with Oregon environmentalists focused on what they perceive to be the greatest environmental challenges facing Oregon, how these challenges relate to agriculture, and opportunities for working on common ground with the agricultural community. The author, Peter Bloome, is an emeritus Associate Director of Extension at Oregon State University, Food Alliance Board member, and a former OEC Board member.
A great deal has changed since 2002, when OEC published Building a Dialogue Between Oregon Agriculture and the Conservation Community. There are a number of examples, both on the ground and in the policy arena, of conservation and agricultural partners working together to successfully accomplish joint goals they may not have been able to accomplish alone. Equally important is the learning that has occurred through these cooperative efforts, and a greater openness to further conversation.
For the first time in three-quarters of a century, Americans care about where and how their food is produced. In growing numbers, they want to support local agriculture, and ensure that it is sustained in the future. This is a unique moment in time that may allow both urban and rural citizens, and eaters and growers, to recognize some of the things they have in common, their interdependency, and the benefits to both if we support one another.
However, too often we still see one another as “other.” We approach with suspicion and preconceived notions, rather than an open mind and open ears. As several interviewees noted, organizations representing both the agricultural and conservation communities often have hardened positions, and are more resistant to change than the members they represent. On both sides, this can prevent change that may benefit both communities. As one conservationist interviewed said, to make positive progress in working together, “we have to slaughter some sacred cows and some of them have to be ours.”
I hope members of both communities, and those who have feet firmly planted in each, continue to talk, listen, and find and work on common ground. I believe that Oregon will be a better place for it.
Allison Hensey
Program Director, Healthy Food and Farms
OEC’s Vision
- Oregon will be a leader in food production and farming that protects our health and our environment.
- Oregon's farmers and food businesses will flourish economically and be rewarded for their stewardship of our rivers and water, air, and wildlife.
- Oregonians will have the opportunity to support local agriculture and eat local, healthy, sustainably produced food as part of our everyday lives.
