Project Grant 20207001732426

CENTRAL OREGON COMPRISES A TRI-COUNTY REGION NEARLY THE GEOGRAPHIC SIZE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IS LOCATED ON A HIGH PLATEAU, WITH IRRIGATED WATER AVAILABLE FROM APRIL - OCTOBER ONLY AND THE THREAT OF FROST ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE REGION IS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS AND GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED FROM THE MAIN MARKET CENTERS OF THE STATE. BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS (BFR) THAT ARE GROWING AND RAISING FOOD FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY ARE PRIMARILY SMALL ACREAGE OPERATIONS, AND THE MAJORITY ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. MANY OF THESE BFRS ARE THREATENED BY SHIFTING DEMOGRAPHICS AS THE REGION SUFFERS FROM GENTRIFICATION, INCREASED LAND COSTS AND EXCLUSIVE FARM USE ZONES BEING CONVERTED TO HEMP PRODUCTION. AT THE SAME TIME, TOURISTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISCRETIONARY INCOMES OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDED MARKETS. FARMERS AND RANCHERS NEED TO BE NIMBLE TO STAY PROFITABLE, WHICH MEANS HAVING A DIVERSITY OF ATTRIBUTES (THE ABILITY TO FARM/RANCH, HARVEST, MARKET, DISTRIBUTE, TRANSPORT AND SELL THEIR GOODS TO A RANGE OF MARKETS); YET EACH OF THESE ATTRIBUTES TAKES TIME TO LEARN AND BE SUCCESSFULAT IN A CHANGING MARKETPLACE.THE HIGH DESERT FOOD & FARM ALLIANCE (HDFFA) WILL COLLABORATE WITH OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY STAFF AND REGIONAL AND STATE-WIDE PARTNERS IN OREGON TO IMPROVE AND ENSURE FARM AND RANCH VIABILITY IN CENTRAL OREGON THROUGH TARGETED EDUCATIONAL AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. TOGETHER, WE WILL WILL HELP FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO IMPROVE THEIR PRACTICES AND MARKET DIVERSIFICATION; DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A AGRITOURISM PROJECTS; PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE CENTRAL OREGON VETERANS RANCH TO DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN A LIVESTOCK PROGRAM WITH A DUAL THERAPEUTIC AND ECONOMIC FOCUS; AND IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING AND ENGAGEMENT IN PUBLIC POLICIES THAT AFFECT THEIR OPERATIONS. THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: FACE TO FACE WORKSHOPS AND HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS AT REGIONAL FARMS AND RANCHES,BUTCHERING FACILITIES AND GROCERY STORES; FARMER/RANCHER MENTORING; ON-FARM PASTURE AND GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT FOR VETERANS; AND PUBLISHING OF PRINT AND ONLINE MATERIALS FOR CONSUMER EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE SUCCESS OF REGIONAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS WITH SUSTAINABILITY AUGMENTED THROUGH PEER-LEARNING. ALL OF THE PROJECTS WILL BE EVALUATED TO INFORM PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT AND THE OVERALL SUCCESS AND IMPACT OF THE PROJECT. THE TARGET AUDIENCE IS 250 INDIVIDUALS WITH A DIRECT IMPACT ON 60 BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS. THE PROJECT WILL COLLECTIVELY IMPACT REGIONAL FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND CONSUMERS, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY INFORMING REGIONAL AND STATE-WIDE ORGANIZATIONS.