Installing irrigation in a caterpillar tunnel at Dome Grown Produce in Redmond. (above: building a high tunnel at Sungrounded Farm in Terrebonne).
This year, HDFFA was able to provide cost-share grants to four local producers, thanks to our “Grow it Forward” Season Extender Program (funded by a Community Foods Project Grant from the USDA). Here in Central Oregon, it doesn’t take much to wipe out a hard-earned crop in the blink of an eye — think frost, extreme heat, wind, hail, and more. “Season extenders” like high tunnel greenhouses, row cover, ventilation, heating and fan systems help producers keep their crops safe and ensure a supply of fresh local produce to central Oregonians for more of the year. This innovative program also rewards farmers for donating part of their increased yield through HDFFA’s Grow & Give or other programs that provide fresh, healthy produce to hungry and food-insecure Central Oregonians, so everyone benefits! We are proud to have provided over $6500 this year to hard-working farmer partners who are keeping us fed even in the sometimes-inhospitable climate of our region.
