The Oregon Department of Agriculture is launching Regional Food & Agriculture Business Centers to help Oregon farms, ranches, fisheries, food processors, and value-added food and beverage businesses access business support closer to where they live and work.
The Centers are designed to serve as a central resource for coordinated, high-impact business and technical assistance. Each Center will operate locally, anchored by regional economic development and food system partners, while also connecting to a statewide network of public, private, and nonprofit resources.
The goal is simple: help Oregon’s food and agriculture businesses start, grow, adapt, and remain resilient.
What the Centers Do
Regional Food & Agriculture Business Centers help businesses navigate the many programs and services available across Oregon. The Centers are not intended to replace local service providers. They are designed to help connect businesses to the right support at the right time.
Services include:
- Business coaching and planning
- Financial education
- Grant and loan navigation
- Market development and buyer connections
- Referrals to technical assistance providers
- Support for supply chain, processing, storage, aggregation, and distribution needs
- Help preparing for, navigating, and recovering from supply chain disruptions
- Coordination among nonprofits, governments, local businesses, and economic development partners
Pilot Regions
Statewide Network, Local Support
Each Center is locally anchored and regionally focused. At the same time, the Centers are connected statewide so that regions can share information, tools, referrals, and solutions.
This statewide approach is intended to:
- Improve access to credible business resources
- Reduce duplication among service providers
- Strengthen rural and regional economies
- Support business retention and expansion
- Help farms and food businesses prepare for market, climate, and supply chain challenges
- Create a stronger referral system across regions
RFABC Team and Partnerships
The Regional Food & Agriculture Business Centers are led by ODA's Trade and Economic Development Program, in partnership with Business Oregon, OSU Extension Service, Economic Development Districts, local businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies.
These partnerships help ensure that businesses can access support in areas such as business planning, financing, workforce needs, market development, infrastructure, and supply chain coordination.
Who Should Contact a Center?
The Centers are intended to support Oregon businesses and organizations connected to agriculture, fisheries, food processing, and value-added food and beverage production.
You may want to contact a Center if you are:
- A farmer, rancher, fisher, or food producer looking for business support
- A food or beverage business trying to grow or reach new markets
- A value-added processor needing help with planning, financing, or market access
- A regional partner looking to coordinate technical assistance
- A local economic development organization working with food and agriculture businesses
Contact
For questions about the Regional Food & Agriculture Business Centers, please contact:
orrfabc@oda.oregon.gov
For more information about ODA Trade and Economic Development Services, visit ODA's
Trade & Economic Development page.