About Us
Agriculture: Transformed
The Pacific Northwest Ag Innovation Cluster, based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and managed by the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), supports agricultural innovation across all 36 Oregon counties and Washington state. This initiative partners with AgLaunch, an innovation engine powered by a national network of diverse, forward-thinking farmers. AgLaunch’s mission is to create sustainable, future-ready farms capable of feeding a growing population while transforming regional agricultural and food economies. They connect entrepreneurs with farmers to co-develop cutting-edge solutions, from nutrient-dense crops and soil health to carbon-neutral farming systems.
Beyond the Pacific Northwest, AgLaunch operates in Southern Appalachia, the Midwest, the Southern Plains, and the Mid-South Delta, with three regions designated as Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs). Each cluster adapts AgLaunch’s resources to meet regional needs, including the AgLaunch365 accelerator and commercial-scale farm trials.
The Cluster supports funding and technical assistance for food and ag supply chain, value-added, and innovation projects, including key projects like the Data Commons, a shared database for farmers and entrepreneurs to access farm-level data, and the Open Market Consortium, an online platform for specialty crop transactions, enhancing price and attribute transparency.
The Cluster’s focus areas include specialty crops, regenerative agriculture, carbon markets, forestry product innovations, pasture-raised cattle, bioenergy, controlled environment agriculture, data traceability, climate resilience, and local value-added products. Together, these efforts aim to foster sustainable agricultural economies and thriving communities.
The AgLaunch vision is a transformed regional agriculture and food economy centered around farmers, innovation, and prosperity
Our Region
Pacific Northwest
We support farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators across the Pacific Northwest, in Oregon and Washington.
Oregon’s agriculture industry, valued at over $5 billion annually, produces more than 220 commodities and ranks in the top 10 nationally for exports like blueberries, hazelnuts, Christmas trees, and grass seed. The state’s 34,600 farms span 16.4 million acres, averaging 474 acres each, with 97% family owned. Since 80% of Oregon’s agricultural products are exported, these family-run operations are nationally and internationally competitive small businesses.
The Mid-Willamette Valley, Oregon’s top agricultural region, produces over 170 commodities, including grain, grass seed, nursery products, Christmas trees, hazelnuts, and grapes for its renowned wine industry. This diversity, combined with the entire farm-to-table supply chain—crop production, food and beverage processing, equipment manufacturing, and logistics—positions the region competitively. However, labor shortages challenge expansion, driving the need for innovative tools, technologies, and workforce upskilling. Enhancing workforce capabilities strengthens industry competitiveness, creates higher-paying jobs, and fosters career mobility.
To maximize revenues, Oregon focuses on adding value throughout the supply chain. Product innovation, differentiation, branding, and marketing are vital in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Meeting this challenge ensures food processing remains one of Oregon’s leading manufacturing industries while reinforcing its diverse agricultural supply chain and sustaining statewide prosperity.
Team Aglaunch
Who We Are
Management Team
Pete Nelson
President,
AgLaunch Initiative
Alex Parasvekas
Lead, Pacific Northwest Ag Innovation Cluster
AgLaunch
Rebecca Kaufman
Vice President of Regional Innovation Clusters
AgLaunch
Margaret Oldham
Vice President of Innovation,
AgLaunch
Sarah Varble, Ph.D.
Director of Entrepreneurship,
AgLaunch
Thomas Greenlee
Director of Farm Innovation,
AgLaunch
Sarah Kate Lee
Ag Innovation SBA Connector
AgLaunch
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