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Bridging the Gap: How HDFFA is Transforming Food Access and Farming in the High Desert Region
Issue #043
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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…
🌄 Bend, OR Weather
📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?
🚨⛑️Mild Winter Poses Different Challenges For SAR
🎗️ Sisters Ranger District’s Jeremy Fields named Forest Service NW Region Employee of the Year
🏘️ Bend transitional shelter St. Vincent’s Place seeks sponsors
🙌Local Cause Spotlight is The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA)
📅 Lots of Events
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Mild Winter Poses Different Challenges For SAR
Story Appears @ KBND
Deschutes County Search and Rescue has been less busy this early winter than in recent years. But Sgt. Jason Wall warns the mild weather can be deceptive, "These types of winters can be the most dangerous. It’s very easy to become accustomed to this warmer weather. We maybe don’t grab that extra jacket, or the hat or the gloves." He tells KBND News, "Keep in mind, we still live in the mountains; this is still a mountain town. Weather can move in at the drop of a hat. And I know people who have lived here for three days or 30 years, they know this - but it just bears to be repeated: If you’re going in the backcountry, go prepared." That preparation should be for the worst conditions, not the best, "It happened to me not too long ago. I decided to wear only a fleece, and I got caught in some weather; albeit not terrible weather. But I was very uncomfortable for a few hours." Because there hasn’t been an excessive amount of snow, we don’t have the plow drivers moving through those corridors on a regular basis. Whereas, a heavy year, you might see two or three plows go through, or a sander or someone who’s de-icing. With this mild weather, it may not be the case."
Sisters Ranger District’s Jeremy Fields named Forest Service NW Region Employee of the Year
The USDA Forest Service recently held its inaugural Honor Awards Ceremony in the Pacific Northwest Region on December 13th, 2023, in Portland. The event aimed to recognize exceptional employees and partners for their outstanding contributions, dedication, and commitment to their work. During the ceremony, Jeremy Fields of the Sisters Ranger District received the Employee of the Year award.
The theme of this year's awards was "Growing Towards the Future: Celebrating Success in a Changing World." Acting Regional Forester, Liz Berger, emphasized the importance of forward-thinking approaches in the work performed by Forest Service personnel. She praised the innovative spirit, dedication, and collaborative efforts of the award recipients, highlighting their role in addressing the challenges posed by a changing world and shaping a more resilient future.
The ceremony featured awards in 12 different categories, acknowledging individuals and groups from the Pacific Northwest Region, which includes 16 National Forests, two National Scenic Areas, a National Grassland, and two National Volcanic Monuments in Oregon and Washington. One of the award categories recognized employees or groups that contributed to post-disaster recovery efforts, focusing on improving soil integrity, watershed health, wildlife and aquatic habitat, and restoring safe access to support the agency's multiple use mission.
Bend transitional shelter St. Vincent’s Place seeks sponsors as it hunts for housing for graduates
Story appears @ KTVZ
St. Vincent’s Place, a transitional shelter in Bend, which has been operational for just over a year, is currently seeking sponsors while grappling with a common issue in the region – the lack of affordable housing for its graduates. The shelter has successfully graduated two residents and has three more waiting for housing options. St. Vincent’s Place offers 10 sleeping units and a community building equipped with bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and a kitchen.
To graduate from the program, residents are required to follow shelter rules, secure employment, and save approximately $5,000. The shelter also contributes an additional $3,000 to support their housing transition. However, Executive Director Gary Hewitt has noted that housing has become a more challenging issue, particularly due to rising interest rates. Initially, there were hopes of St. Vincent de Paul purchasing a new home for renting rooms, but this plan became less feasible with increasing interest rates. Currently, their primary focus is on finding suitable housing for program graduates.
Graduating residents also face difficulties in finding rental accommodations due to criminal records or a lack of rental history. St. Vincent’s Place is actively seeking sponsors for six of its units, with a sponsorship cost of $5,000 per year. These sponsorships will contribute to maintenance and upkeep expenses. The Hayden Homes Amphitheater is a significant sponsor that has played a crucial role in supporting the shelter's establishment and operations.
This Week’s Local Cause Spotlight is
The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA)
Bridging the Gap: How HDFFA is Transforming Food Access and Farming in the High Desert Region
The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA), established in 2010 and formalized in 2012, is a significant non-profit organization in Central Oregon dedicated to addressing challenges related to food access and production in the high desert region. The organization's mission is to support a healthy and thriving food and farm network through education, collaboration, and inclusion, envisioning a prosperous food and farm network with equitable access for all Central Oregonians.
HDFFA's core values revolve around the belief that everyone deserves good food, which they define as affordable, nutritious, and culturally preferred food that is sustainably produced in Central Oregon. They emphasize the importance of local farmers and ranchers as the backbone of the local food system and advocate for policies and programs that improve the food system.
The alliance's work includes a variety of programs and projects. They focus on improving food access and supporting agricultural practices through initiatives like the Supported CSA and VeggieRx, which bridge gaps in food access. HDFFA also emphasizes the importance of partnerships with regional organizations to improve local food access, integrating traditional food security efforts with healthy food systems.
For farmers and ranchers, HDFFA provides support through relationship building, marketing, technical assistance, and financial support, collaborating with regional organizations and agencies to offer workshops, networking events, and grants. They also focus on increasing the ability of farmers and ranchers to overcome operational challenges, offering financial support for on-farm infrastructure and professional development.
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HDFFA's initiatives also include the High Desert Food Trail, an agritourism project in partnership with Travel Oregon and Visit Central Oregon, highlighting the culinary options of Central Oregon. Their "Get A Taste of This Place" campaign improves access to and education about the benefits of local food from Central Oregon.
In summary, the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance plays a crucial role in enhancing food access and supporting agricultural practices in Central Oregon. Through its varied programs and projects, HDFFA works towards creating a sustainable and equitable food system in the region, supporting local farmers and ranchers, and ensuring that everyone has access to good food.
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Visit HDFFA https://hdffa.org/
Upcoming Events
What’s Up Central Oregon?
Tuesday, January 2nd
Manifestation Spell Jar & New Year Numerology event at the Black Bird
Time: Noon to 6:00 PM
Location: The Bohemian Peddler’s Black Bird Magical Tea & Tales, 191 SE 5th Street, Madras, OR 97741
Untamed Tuesday Event by Coalition Snow
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: 10 Barrel Brewing Company, 1135 NW Galveston Ave, Bend, OR
Wednesday, January 3rd
Sidney Joseph @ Crosscut Warming Hut
Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Location: Crosscut Warming Hut No 5, 566 SW Milil View Way
Sean Alan & The Vibeshiftas @ McMenamins
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St, Bend, OR
Thursday, January 4th
Suttle Lodge's Fireside Concert Series: Megan Diana Fireside Show
Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Location: Suttle Lake Lodge, 13300 US-20, Sisters, Oregon
Tickets: $10
The Quons Trio @ River’s Place
Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Location: River's Place, 787 Northeast Purcell Boulevard
Friday, January 5th
First Friday @ Oregon Spirit Distillers
Time: 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Location: Oregon Spirit Distillers Oregon
Psoriasis Coaching & Workshop
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: 1841 NE Division St, Suite 150 Bend
First Friday Artwalk-Downtown & Old Mill
Time: 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Location: Downtown Bend
Saturday, January 6th
Wine Bottle Succulent Planters
Time: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Location: Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, 70450 NW Lower Valley Drive Terrebonne
Tickets: $40
Laughy-Bara Comedy Show
Time: 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Craft Kitchen & Brewery, 62988 Layton Avenue
Tickets: $10
Rodeo Champions of America Oregon Royalty 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Terrebonne Grange
CORK Saturday Morning Coffee Run!
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Thump Coffee - York Drive, 549 NW York Dr suite 200, Bend
Sunday, January 7th
XC Oregon Learn-To-Ski Day
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area, 15811 NF-4615, Bend, OR
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