Ecotrust

Ecotrust is a nonprofit organization that operates at the intersection of equity, the economy, and the environment. With a mission to inspire fresh thinking that fosters economic development, social equity, and environmental well-being, Ecotrust has been active for more than thirty years. The organization collaborates with community members and organizations to achieve its goals, with its work extending from Northern California to Southeast Alaska.

One of Ecotrust’s key initiatives is the Farm to Early Care and Education Institute, which operates in Oregon and Washington. Supported by the USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant, this institute connects early childhood professionals with local food producers and community partners. It focuses on serving culturally relevant, locally-produced foods to young children and provides hands-on experiences with food and gardening to improve child nutrition. It is the first of its kind in the Northwest region.

Ecotrust also runs the Farm to School Institute for K-12 education practitioners, adapted from a model developed by Shelburne Farms and Vermont FEED. This institute brings together site-based teams to build relationships, skills, and collaborative action plans, integrating farm to school goals across classrooms, cafeterias, and communities. Supported by a coach, the institute aims to create lasting impacts in farm to school programming.

The Indigenous Leadership Awards, another significant initiative by Ecotrust, recognize outstanding Indigenous leaders for their dedication to strengthening tribal sovereignty and uplifting their communities. Since 2001, the awards have recognized 60 Indigenous leaders and include a series of online briefings featuring tribal leaders discussing historical and contemporary issues. The awards ceremony is held at the Redd on Salmon Street in Portland and provides $100,000 in cash awards to Indigenous leaders throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Ecotrust’s Green Workforce Academy is a paid opportunity for Black, Native, and people of color in Portland to learn about jobs in the green economy. The academy aims to build a network of practitioners and support leadership development through large group facilitation, program planning, and development. Supported by the USDA FSA Urban Agriculture Cooperative Agreement, the academy focuses on creating equitable, climate-resilient food systems, providing food for communities, supporting local farmers, and improving health outcomes through food access. It includes a fellowship program for aspiring and experienced leaders of color and aims to create connections between different programs to build a larger ecosystem of social justice, fostering a sense of home and joy through food equity.