High Desert Food & Farm Alliance makes $25,000 in on-farm efficiency grants to support local agriculture
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance is investing $25,000 in 10 Central Oregon farms this winter through its On-Farm Efficiency Grant program, supporting projects that promote efficient, sustainable practices with lasting environmental and community impact.
Grant recipients will use the grant funding - up to $3,000 to each recipient - for a range of projects designed to extend the growing season, promote environmental stewardship and improve operational efficiencies, the organization said Monday.
"These investments play a critical role in sustaining small farms and bolstering Central Oregon’s food system," HDFFA said in the news release that continues in full below:
As Sam Shafer of Amethyst Organics, a 2026 grant recipient shared, “Given Central Oregon's short growing season and unpredictable weather events, this investment is not just an improvement – it's a mandatory step to secure economic and climate resilience for our operation.”
Grant programs like OFEG play a critical role in supporting small- and mid-sized farms, which often face narrow profit margins and limited access to traditional financing.
Rising input costs, climate uncertainty, and infrastructure needs can make essential improvements out of reach, even when those investments would significantly increase a farm’s efficiency and resilience.
By offering flexible, producer-informed funding, HDFFA helps remove barriers to investment and meets farmers where they are.
These grants reflect a shared commitment to supporting Central Oregon’s agricultural community, ensuring that locally grown and produced food remains available to our region for years to come.
HDFFA extends heartfelt congratulations to the 2026 On-Farm Efficiency Grant recipients and sincere gratitude for their leadership in strengthening and nourishing our community.
Below is a brief overview of the 2026 On-Farm Efficiency Grant–funded projects and the innovative ways local farmers are strengthening sustainability, efficiency, and resilience across Central Oregon.
Amethyst Organics, a new farm in Bend, will build a greenhouse and fertility systems to extend the growing season, increase productivity, reduce water use, and improve soil health.
The Crow’s Croft is upgrading to a large upright freezer, which will improve efficiency, cut food waste and emissions, and ensure consistent, high-quality pork and lard production.
Fibonacci Farm is upgrading their tomato trellising system and investing in a flame weeder, which will increase production efficiencies and support long-term sustainability of the farm.
Fields Farm is building a propagation greenhouse that will double plant-starting capacity with reclaimed materials, improving germination efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Juniper Hollow Homestead is improving multi-species rotational grazing systems with fencing and tractor repair, which improves pasture health and livestock welfare practices.
Lost Grace Farm is building a solar-powered outbuilding for year-round hatching, brooding, and plant starting, sustainably extending the farm’s production season.
Over Yonder Farm, a new farm in Sisters, is building hoop houses, extending the growing season, increasing efficiency, supporting climate resilience, and bolstering environmental health.
Red Dog Farm is upgrading wash-pack infrastructure, improving food safety, efficiency, and capacity to meet restaurant and community needs.
Root Down Acres is purchasing a mobile aluminum chicken coop, which provides security for pastured hens, reduces feed loss, protects against disease, and enables rotational grazing.
Sage and Stone Butchery is upgrading their poultry-processing facility with transport crates, ice machines, and a closed-loop wastewater system.
HDFFA’s 2026 On-Farm Efficiency Grant was made possible by the generous support of a local community member. Community contributions are essential to ensure HDFFA can continue providing vital resources to Central Oregon farmers and ranchers through the On-Farm Efficiency Grant in the years ahead. To help support the 2027 OFEG grant cycle, please contact Executive Director Kristin Points at kristin@hdffa.org.
HDFFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties as well as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. HDFFA’s mission is to support a healthy and thriving food & farm network through education, collaboration, and inclusion. For more info visit hdffa.org.
