Significant changes occurred at OSALT in 2011 The Board of Directors would like to let you know about these changes, tell you our plans to grow OSALT’s network of community gardens and farms, and ask for your financial support.

Founders Retire
The most significant change this year has been the retirement of OSALT founders Will Newman II and Susan Clark. For over fifteen years, Will and Sue worked to bring a variety of properties into the OSALT network and, while they will continue to live at Natural Harvest Farm, they are no longer formally involved in OSALT. Over the past few years new leadership has been developed, with a Joint Board of Directors and committees made up of long-term OSALT volunteers, advisors and past board members.

Urban Farm Collective Merger
The second change involves several newly developed partnerships with other agricultural/food security nonprofits. In March, Urban Farm Collective merged with OSALT, bringing in ten new community gardens in northeast Portland. In addition, OSALT now owns seven community gardens and farms in and around Portland, making our asset base of land in excess of three million dollars.

Bev’s Place Added
Earlier this year, OSALT was given a permaculture demonstration garden and house in Vancouver, Washington. This new land acquisition shows great promise, and a site manager just moved into the house. This will provide a unique opportunity for OSALT north of the Columbia River, and will also generate much needed rental income. However, there is still an outstanding acquisition expense of $1,500 that must be paid before any work can begin on this land.

We Need Your Help
OSALT is indeed growing. None of this growth would have been possible without the financial support from our community, which is you. As 2012 approaches, your tax-deductible gift to OSALT will ensure that we can meet our property acquisition expenses, while allowing future income to be allocated for educational purposes.

Please make a contribution today and join us in our mission to hold urban and rural lands in trust for education and research on sustainable agriculture.
To make a contribution:
- click on “donate” above, or
- mail a check to OSALT, 3519 NE 15th Ave – Suite 502, Portland, OR 97212

Your support is much appreciated, and will go far in advancing this worthy community cause.