Agricultural Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Agricultural Advisory Committee is to advise the Board and Staff on the direction and success of farm and ranch support programming offered by HDFFA. This includes providing input on HDFFA programs and specific projects including educational events, workshops, and grant objectives that best meet the needs and interests of the Central Oregon farmer and rancher community.

About the Committee

The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) was founded in May 2019 as a way for HDFFA to receive direct feedback from the farmers and ranchers it supports. Today, twelve HDFFA Partner farmers and ranchers from Central Oregon and a designated Board Member and Staff person set 2-4 priorities each year in relation to current programmatic work.

The Committee is made up of a majority of farmers and ranchers from each county (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson) with representation from both beginning and experienced producers and small- and medium-scale operations. All members have a working knowledge of the organization’s mission, programs, and goals. Members commit to a one-year term starting in October with meetings occurring four times per year.

If you’re interested in joining HDFFA’s Agricultural Advisory Committee, please email agsupport@hdffa.org.

Current Members

Andrea Smith, HDFFA Agricultural Support Manager – Committee Chair
Gordon Jones, Oregon State University Extension

Past members

Tracy Wilson, OSU Extension
James Radnich, Cultivate Farms
Gia Matzinger -Deschutes Canyon Garlic
Onda Hall-Hueners – Bluestone Natural Farms
Audrey Tehan – Seed to Table
Brian Lepore – Golden Eagle Organics
Cate Havstad Casad – Casad Family Farms

Danae Miller – Vaquero Valley Ranch
Jim Crocker – Crown C Farms
Jenna Pike – Splitting Aces Livestock
Michael Hueners – Bluestone Natural Farms
Victoria Tranca – Cascade Mountain Pastures
Clare Sullivan – Oregon State University Extension Service