Season Extenders

The Program

HDFFA is committed to supporting farms in our region. This means working hand in hand to understand their needs and finding and providing resources to improve their ability to grow food for us, the community, and meet our values of making food accessible for everyone.

We offered producers the opportunity to apply for Season Extender Grants through the Growing it Forward project funded by USDA from 2017-2020. The overall goal of this project was to increase food production opportunities and low income access to fresh food utilizing season extenders in Central Oregon.

The expected outcomes of the program were to increase:

Knowledge of greenhouse management, plant selection and succession planting; and other topics
Viability and profitability of agricultural producers
Local food markets for Central Oregon consumers
Amount of fresh food delivered to food pantries/banks
Self-reliance and confidence in using season extenders

Greenhouses are crucial to farming in our region and this grant allowed us to extend our growing season tremendously. – 2018 Grant Recipient

Eligibility Requirements for the 2020 Season

Be a 2020 HDFFA Partner
Be an existing agricultural producer in Crook, Deschutes or Jefferson counties
Primary markets are in Crook, Deschutes or Jefferson counties
Have established direct and/or wholesale markets for a minimum of one year

Minimum Participatory Requirements

Season extender structure or equipment is utilized in the same growing season in which you apply for funds
Provide a documented minimum 1 to 1 cash match (i.e. you pay for at least 50% of the total costs of the season extender project)
Participate in a workshop provided by HDFFA/OSU Extension in 2020 related to increasing produce production, season extender construction, or improving on-farm efficiencies (contact us for workshops options)
Donate a portion of the food grown (to NeighborImpact Food Bank through HDFFA’s Grow & Give Program or to another approved organization)
Submit 4 or more digital photos (pre and post construction)
For evaluation purposes only, submit a final report that includes:
- Season extender produce production estimates (quantity/lbs./type of produce grown, and in what months)
- Total produce sales and market destination of produce