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FARMER AND RANCHER NEWSLETTER
February 2022

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

HDFFA Seeks Mentors to Join the Growing Together Mentorship Program


Are you an experienced farmer or rancher in Central Oregon looking for an opportunity to share your skills and knowledge with the next generation of agricultural producers?

Consider applying for the Growing Together Mentorship Program! This new offering from HDFFA aims to connect experienced and beginning farmers and ranchers together to provide mentorship and improve knowledge of agricultural production, on-farm sales, and farm viability. Mentors will be compensated at a rate of $40 per hour for their time and should apply by February 28th.
Apply to be a Mentor Today!
This project is supported by the Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program grant [grant no. 2020-70017-32426] and the Community Food Projects grant [grant no. 2021-33800-35848] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Free Value Chain Coordination with Sydney DeLuna

 
Through a Specialty Crop Block Grant, HDFFA has contracted with Sydney DeLuna to support efforts to grow wholesale markets in Central Oregon. Sydney has experience working with both producers and buyers of local agriculture and is the Oregon Food Hub Network Coordinator for the Oregon Community Food System Network. Some of you may already know Sydney from her recent work with COIC, and she is excited to be working in Central Oregon again!

If you are interested in learning more about selling to wholesale buyers contact:
Sydney DeLuna
delunasydney@gmail.com
 

Strategies to Increase Crop Water Use Efficiency During Drought Conditions


Attend an in-person workshop hosted by HDFFA and OSU Extension to learn about understanding your soil, crop water needs, irrigation system, and water quality. This workshop will include hands-on activities that will help farmers learn about water holding capacity, irrigation water output, estimating irrigation needs based on ET and/or Agrimet data, irrigation scheduling, soil moisture monitoring and more. This opportunity is FREE for HDFFA partners!

Presenters include:

  • Maria Zamora Re – OSU Extension Irrigation Specialist
  • Abigail Tomasek – OSU Extension Water Quality Specialist
  • Todd Peplin - Programs Lead, Deschutes SWCD
  • Stephanie Payne - Small Farms and Organic Specialist, USDA
Thursday, February 17th from 9am-12pm
Reserve your spot now!

Central Oregon CSA Share Fair


Are you a CSA producer looking to find more customers for your farm shares? Come present at the first virtual Central Oregon CSA Share Fair! Hosted by HDFFA and PNW CSA Coalition, this event will highlight the importance of CSAs for local agriculture and allow producers to discuss their share options. Email Annie to sign up to present on your share or if you are just interested in attending as a viewer register here.
 
February 22nd from 6-7pm on Zoom

HDFFA HAPPENINGS

Sign Up for a FREE Photoshoot with Amanda Photographic!

 
There's still time to sign up for a photoshoot with Amanda Photographic! Fill out this short form with your preference for a date and we will schedule Amanda Long to come to your farm or ranch to take professional photos of your operation. This is a $350 value that you receive FREE as part of your HDFFA Partnership!

HDFFA Partner Sign-Ups Now Open!

 
Don't wait! Renew your partnership with the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance today! New benefits this year include free access to our new Value Chain Coordinator and participation in our new Growing Together Mentorship Program (see above)!

Learn more and renew here!

TIPS & TRICKS

Meat Processing Grants Opening Soon


The Oregon Meat Processing Grant request for applications is now open! Meat processors may apply for up to $500,000 for equipment, physical improvements, technical assistance, processing hardware/software, on-site waste handling, and education/training. If you work with a meat processor in Oregon please pass this along!

There will be a webinar on the program on February 11th from 12-1pm and you can find the call-in link here.

GRANTS, EVENTS & INFO

Funding Opportunities

Events and Learning Opportunities:

 

Don't forget to check out HDFFA's Resources page!

Looking for more technical assistance?


Oregon State University Extension Service has a number of agricultural specialists available to help you on a variety of problems and needs. Please reach out to Central Oregon Small Farms or your local extension office (Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) to be connected with an agent. They also have a newsletter and you can sign up here!
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