About Us
At the Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems, known as CRAFS, we are re-imagining the future of agriculture and food systems—where sustainability, innovation and resilience intersect. We began in 2013 as the Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems. Our name CRAFS reflects our expanded mission and scope, while staying rooted in ecological, human and social well-being.
With increased support from the College and Extension, we are ramping up collaboration, enhancing outreach and communication, adding operational support to amplify our impact. As we navigate the dynamic challenges facing agriculture and food systems, we remain grounded in our stakeholders, core programs and mission—focusing our energies where we can make the greatest difference. Our new identity reflects this broader vision—one that unites scientists, producers and industry leaders to tackle challenges like climate change, food security, and sustainable production, all while incorporating our nice programs and leaving room for growth.
Join us as we cultivate a future of innovation and opportunity in agriculture. Through innovative research, collaborative partnerships, community-driven initiatives and diverse perspectives, we aim to transform agriculture into a force for positive change.
CRAFS Background
The Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems, established in 2013 as the Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems, is grounded in three decades of partnership with Oregon’s diverse agriculture and food sector. We start with engagement: listening, learning, and bringing our skills and knowledge to co-create innovative solutions with stakeholders.
Starting with small-scale, direct market farms in the 1990s, we have grown collaborations across agriculture and food systems.
A short chronology:
1990s: Garry Stephenson starts the Small Farms Program, responding to requests from local, small-scale, sustainable and organic farms looking for help with farm-direct marketing.
2007: the Small Farms Program begins a formal research and education partnership with Oregon Tilth, focused on organic agriculture.
2008: Lauren Gwin brings Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (national) to OSU.
2009-2012: Lauren Gwin develops Community Food Systems program with a growing number of community food systems nonprofit organizations around the state, including Oregon Food Bank.
2013: Stephenson and Gwin launch the Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems, to bring these related programs together for collaboration and resource generation/sharing, and as a catalyst/home for new ideas/initiatives in small-scale, local farming and food systems.
2015: Extension Community Food Systems Specialist position piloted by Gwin is funded by the Oregon Legislature, one of the first such positions in the U.S. OSU Extension Director creates cross-Extension Community Food Systems Working Group.
2016: Dry Farming Program is created by Small Farms Program faculty Amy Garrett, in tandem with Dry Farming Collaborative community of practice.
2019: Agricultural Tourism Program begins when Audrey Comerford is hired as Agritourism Coordinator in Marion and Polk Counties and begins collaborating with the Small Farms Program.
2020: Center and Oregon Tilth launch the Organic Agriculture Program, hiring Nick Andrews into the first Organic Extension faculty position.
2020: Farm to School Program created as a cross-Extension partnership, housed in the Center; Michelle Markesteyn is hired as Extension’s first Farm to School Program Coordinator and Specialist.
2020: Letitia Carson Legacy Project created by Gwin with Black farmer and food justice partners and just-retired Director of OSU Special Collections & Archives.
2023: Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center is created through a cooperative partnership with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Colorado State University.
2023: Leadership transition: Garry Stephenson retires as Extension Small Farm Specialist and Center Director; Lauren Gwin is hired as Center Director. The College of Agricultural Sciences, recognizing the value of the Center, elevates us to a formal unit in the college.
2024: The Center is renamed to recognize its expanded vision and mission: Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems (CRAFS)