The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) has extended the 2023 On-Farm Efficiency Grant application deadline to January 17th, 2023. HDFFA is offering Central Oregon producers the opportunity to apply for up to $3,000 in grant funds (with a 50 percent match) for on-farm improvements and purchases. HDFFA invested in increasing the ability of regional farmers and ranchers to overcome shocks and strains on their operations by providing financial support for on-farm infrastructure, supplies and professional development. This year, this grant program is generously funded by a private donor.
Last year, 14 Central Oregon farmers and ranchers implemented successful projects by utilizing over $45,000 in grant funds. For example, one grantee purchased a root washer kit in order to expand their storage crop and root vegetable capacity, reducing time and labor for cleaning. One 2022 grantee expressed “[This grant] created an economic impact for my farm business of $15,000 in the very first year. Thank you HDFFA for recognizing that, by investing on-farm infrastructure, the ripple effect is resilient farm businesses and a strong local food community.” Read more about last year’s projects at hdffa.org/on-farm-efficiency-grant-2022.
This year, at least nine projects will be funded under the grant program. Farms must be located in Central Oregon and apply for projects that fall under one of three categories: permanent fixtures, supplies, or technical assistance/professional development. At this time, HDFFA is actively searching for a match to meet additional demand and fund more projects, so there is a possibility for a waitlist or a second round of funding. HDFFA will communicate to applicants regarding their grant statuses after the review period and will announce awardees by January 31. The review process will be conducted anonymously by a panel of external (outside of HDFFA) community members.
Future iterations of the On-Farm Efficiency Grant is dependent on HDFFA securing funding to continue this program. HDFFA’s goal is that by investing in on-farm and ranch efficiency and infrastructure projects throughout Central Oregon, farming community connections will be more robust and farm businesses will strengthen their resiliency.
To find more information about eligibility and to apply, head to hdffa.org/ofeg.
