Our Mission Statement
Friends of French Prairie (FOFP) is a not-for-profit organization which works in support of the reasonable and appropriate development of the area of Marion County north of Salem, OR (known from its rich history as “the French Prairie”).
Since change is inevitable, “appropriate development” recognizes that improvement of the economic base of this area is a necessary good, and that this region has its own unique and rural character. This character is part of its inherent value and should be preserved. Some may think that these goals are in conflict, but to us it is clear that they share a large common ground, and we will all enjoy a better quality of life if they are held in balance
Who we are and what we do
FOFP is made up of people who live and farm in the geographic area that has historically been referred to as French Prairie since the 1820’s. We are sensitive to the area’s history and well aware of the development pressures that arise from being on the southern border of metro Portland. We acknowledge that growth and development are both necessary and inevitable, but put a stake in the ground around a single fact: since this land was first settled by non-natives, it has been recognized as prime agricultural land and was developed accordingly.
It is no surprise then, that the majority of land outside of the communities that dot the French Prairie is zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU). Exclusive agricultural zoning not only assures agricultural production to feed our families and landscape our gardens, but also results in a countryside outside of the metro areas that was the vision of then-governor Tom McCall when he undertook legislation for land use planning in the early 1970’s: Oregon is unique in a variety of ways, and should be kept that way to the degree possible.
FOFP aims to work with farmers, residents and businesses in the French Prairie, and with Marion County of which it is a part, to assure that development is responsible and appropriate, is consistent with both the heritage and economic needs of the area, and minimally impacts current residents in negative ways.
