graduates at work

2023, Regenerative Farming Fellow

Jason Shin participated in the pilot Regenerative Farm Fellowship program at Central Point, OR during its inaugural year in 2023. At the conclusion of the program he was hired by our partners on the Family Nurturing Center (FNC) farm team. FNC admired Jason’s work ethic and passion for soil, Korean Natural Farming and JADAM. Starting in 2024 Jason works alongside new Oregon Farm Corps Fellows.

Jason also participated in Changing Hands workshops held by OFC at Central Point. He is still looking for farm land this year, but in the meantime will be working closer with OFC and is excited to share more natural farming methods and inputs to the new fellows this season. He loves putting his hand in the soil as well as sharing info about regenerating the farm land with microorganisms!

2018 Apprentice, Persephone Farm

After finishing his OFC Apprenticeship in 2019, Theo moved to the Walla Walla valley and has been raising turkeys on pasture with his partner Erin since 2022. From 120 turkeys and 300 chickens that first season to 1,200 turkeys on order for 2025, the flock has grown a bit each year. Theo and Erin owe a lot to Persephone Farm, Posterity Farm, Hayshaker Farm and Welcome Table Farm for employment, perspective and ongoing support.

Both Theo and Erin have kept jobs off the pastured-poultry farm, and are still burning the candle at both ends while deciding how to make their goal of full-time farm income a reality. Right now, they are renting a house separate from all their rented pastures and receive an annual FSA operating loan. They are still having fun and although much has changed season to season, they can see a future in farming thanks to their community of peers who make life great on and off the farm.

2024 Apprentice, Nella Mae’s Farm

Samirah is continuing her work at Nella Mae’s Farm in 2025 after graduating with her second master of science degree in regenerative, organic agriculture. She has also helped organize the Abundance Farm Co-op, a collaborative effort aggregating fresh food from local farms into food boxes for community members.

Samirah recently wrote an article in Growing for Market titled “Cultivating Safety: Bridging the Gap in Medical Emergency Preparedness on Rural Farms.” In the coming year, she will assist Nella Mae’s Farm with a SARE grant to research the effects of humidity on summer lettuce production and work with the Oregon Food Bank’s FEAST community food assessment.

Samirah shares that one of the most valuable aspects of the OFC experience was the connection with a great mentor and Host Farmer.

2022 Apprentice, Our Table Cooperative

At Our Table Cooperative Aaron learned low-till and organic farming practices and developed a passion for soil health and cooperative farms. In 2024 he and his partner Madeline, an OFC Beginning Farmer Educational Event Series grad, were accepted into the Headwaters Incubator Program in Gresham, Oregon. They co-founded Walking Whale Flower Farm, where he implements the low-till strategies he learned at Our Table.

Aaron participates in the Headwaters Soil Ambassador Program, where he learns techniques to promote soil health such as soil inoculation, vermicomposting, and cover cropping. He has also volunteered setting up a community garden in Portland. Beyond enjoying the work of farming, Aaron is interested in food sovereignty and exploring ways to lower barriers to entry for new or undercapitalized farmers, especially through cooperative/collaborative farming models.