October 19, 2022

Wyden, Merkley: More than $350,000 to Adelante Mujeres to Support Latinx Farmers Produce and Market Specialty Crops

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Adelante Mujeres will receive more than $350,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support Latinx farmers in cultivating and marketing high value specialty crops for Washington County and the metro Portland area.


“The results of Adelante Mujeres’ 20-year record of providing bilingual and culturally-appropriate support to Oregon’s Latinx community speak for themselves,” Wyden said. “Adelante is the kind of organization that walks the talk of empowering communities from the inside out. I am gratified to see these dollars go to a program that works hard to make sure the beauty and bounty of Oregon’s agricultural economy is accessible to everyone.” 


“Agriculture is deeply ingrained into Oregon’s economy, but too many underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters struggle to participate in or get access to USDA programs and services,” Merkley said. “This USDA funding to Adelante Mujeres will provide support to their culturally-appropriate programs that meet clients where they are and connect aspiring and current Latina immigrant farmers with access to USDA’s programs and grants. I won’t stop fighting to ensure that everyone in Oregon’s world-class agriculture sector has what they need to continue to grow and thrive.”


Adelante Mujeres will use the USDA grant funding for a long-term project toward health and economic prosperity of Latinx communities through equitable food distribution systems. The Forest Grove-based non-profit will provide bilingual and culturally responsive support for Latinx farmers growing high value specialty crops so that they can more easily access useable farmland, financial planning services, marketing assistance, and other USDA programs.


“We are thrilled to see this investment to support Latinx farmers in Oregon. Almost 90% of agriculture workers in Oregon are Latinx, while only 4% of farm business owners are Latinx. Our programs engage the Latinx community on regenerative agriculture practices by providing classes and coaching in Spanish to help Latinx farmers start their own farm businesses using sustainable practices. We also operate the Forest Grove Farmers Market and the Cornelius Farmers Market, providing a launching pad for local small farm businesses to get off the ground,” said Bridget Cooke, Executive Director of Adelante Mujeres.