Rogue Valley Food System Network asks Talent to sign proclamation supporting local food system

The Rogue Valley Food System Network presented its 2025 Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment and Action Plan to the City of Talent council on April 2, asking the city to sign a proclamation declaring support for the region’s food system.

The report, the presenters said, documents three years of listening sessions, surveys and economic analysis and finds a surge in small producers alongside shrinking acreage: “78% of the farms in the Rogue Valley are now under 50 acres and more than half of the farms are less than 14 acres,” said Allison Seisower, executive director of Rogue Valley Food System Network.

The presentation stressed economic opportunity from shifting local food purchases into the regional market. Seisower outlined household food spending data from Jackson and Josephine counties: “If every household in the Rogue Valley channeled this existing fruit and vegetable budget towards local product, it would generate over $137,000,000 annually for our local economy,” she said. Sheila Foster, the network’s economic development advisor, noted gaps in processing, worker training and access to capital that limit producers’ ability to scale.

Why it matters: presenters argued that local procurement, coordinated working groups and a focused action plan could help retain farmland, grow small agricultural businesses and reduce food insecurity. The assessment identifies four goals — increase access to healthy food, invest in the food and farm economy, protect soil and water health, and reduce food waste — and more than 100 concrete actions tied to those goals.

Council reaction and follow-up: councilors asked whether the city’s signature would create any legal obligation. The network said the proclamation was meant as a symbolic commitment and a “touchstone” for future decisions. Councilor (name recorded in the transcript as) Penomares raised concerns about the word “partner” implying legal obligations; Councilor (name recorded as) Dave recommended replacing “partner” with “supporter.” Network staff said the group would email a draft proclamation and work with city staff on language and logistics.

The council gave general consensus — not a formal vote — for staff to return the proclamation at a future meeting with the requested wording change (from “partner” to “supporter”) and to provide the council a copy for review.

The presentation also highlighted opportunities for the city to join working groups the network will convene and to consider proclamations as a way to signal policy preferences. The network offered to provide two printed copies of the assessment and said digital versions were already distributed.

Ending: presenters said the network will continue outreach to municipalities and stakeholders throughout the Rogue Valley. Council members generally welcomed the report and asked staff to place a revised proclamation on a future agenda so the council can review and, if desired, adopt it.