Three Central Oregon producers will attend the Ranching for Profit School, a renowned business management program for farmers and ranchers, during the last week of October in Bend. This marks the school’s first time in Central Oregon, allowing participants to save on travel costs typically associated with attending out-of-state sessions.
The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) has awarded $2,000 scholarships to three local farmers and ranchers. These scholarships cover two-thirds of the tuition for the weeklong program, which focuses on improving profitability, sustainability, and business management skills.
HDFFA Associate Director Ann Pistacchi-Peck emphasized the ripple effect of the scholarships, as recipients will share what they learn with the broader agricultural community in Central Oregon. The selected participants are relatively young businesses eager to develop financially sustainable operations.
Courtney Riding of 3R Livestock and Land hopes to gain knowledge on succession planning and expense management. She expressed the challenges of running her livestock operation and highlighted the limited resources available to farmers in the region. Similarly, Kate Grace of Lost Grace Farm aims to create a comprehensive food system and appreciates the opportunity for localized education.
Zoey Oquist, co-owner of The Crow’s Croft ranch, aims to transition to full-time farming and recognizes the importance of understanding the financial aspects of ranching.
Amid declining federal funding for HDFFA’s agricultural programs, the nonprofit relies on private donors to support initiatives like these scholarships, which are vital for local producers seeking essential training and resources.
