OTHER LOCATIONS - Central Oregon
We currently have several satellite partner farm sites located in the Central Oregon area. This region lies on the original homelands of the Wasq’u (Wasco) and Wana Łama (Warm Springs) people. The Wasq’u and Wana Łama people ceded this land to the US government in the treaty of Middle Oregon of 1855, while retaining regular and customary hunting, fishing, and gathering rights. As a result of this treaty, the nearby Warm Springs Indian Reservation was created on a fraction of the original domain of these two tribes. In 1879 the Northern Paiute people were also displaced and some moved to the Warm Springs Reservation. These three distinct tribes became known as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We acknowledge and thank the original stewards of this area, who are still with us and still connected to this land. It is our hope that our communities continue to honor and care for the land that we live on and learn from, and to build relationships and respect for the preceding and continuing stewards.
Because of its striking high desert landscape and abundant sunshine, Central Oregon has become a bustling hub for outdoor enthusiasts. With easy access to the Cascade Mountains, Smith Rock State Park, the Deschutes River, as well as several other prominent lakes and volcanoes, it’s easy for the adventurous visitor to find activities to do including hiking, floating rivers, class rock climbing, paddle boarding, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, and the list goes on!
The local food movement has steadily been gaining traction in this region, along with a growing population and strong brewery industry. There are now 3 farmers markets in Bend, and one in Sisters and in each of the surrounding towns. The restaurants crave locally grown food to satisfy the increasing demand from customers, and are eager to support local farmers. Several organizations, including Central Oregon Locavore, the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance, and Bend Food Project support the growth of a burgeoning local food system and food accessibility within the area. Central Oregon includes an abundance of farming operations. The main types of production are meat, grain, roots and seed. Most of the farmers that RFC works with in our Central Oregon cohort are growing a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers.
Due to the short and unpredictable growing season, farmers will often state that if you learn to grow food in Central Oregon, then you can do it anywhere. The spring and fall, while often cold at night with occasional snows, are quite warm during the day. The dry climate allows for extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year, with hot days in July and August. But don’t be fooled- it HAS snowed in July! Bring your jacket.