Farmers and ranchers in Oregon have won over $2 million dollars in new federal grant money. One local business owner is celebrating the news.
For nearly ten years, My Brothers' Farm in Creswell has grown organic hazelnuts. Now, they’re receiving $250,000 to process and market their product. It’s part of the USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant program, which primarily helps small businesses get food to market.
Ben Larson is a co-owner and operator at the farm. He said investing in hazelnuts is expensive.
“There is a lot of front end processing needed to get your kernel to market, because they come in this hefty shell that needs to be washed and dried and sized and shelled and separated,” he said.
Larson said the farm already has dedicated customers at local markets and through their website. But he said this money will fund promotional videos and get their hazelnuts into more grocery stores.
According to Larson, the farm is still recovering from a 2018 drought which caused the dieback of some crops. It takes several years after planting for a hazelnut tree to begin producing.
“We didn't lose those trees completely with a lot of them, but we have had to basically restart their growth," he said. "So instead of being six-foot wide, they're just second-year suckers that are taking longer.”
The farm is one of 11 in the state that were included in this round of funding. In addition to My Brothers' Farm, the following Oregon agricultural businesses received grants, according to a press release from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.
- Zena Forest, a farm in Rickreall, Oregon, will use a $249,592 grant to expand their marketing and processing of raw logs into wide planked engineered flooring.
- Stangel Livestock, a family farm in Enterprise, Oregon, will use a $250,000 grant to expand the marketing and sales of their grass-fed bison meat and finished bison products.
- Scenic Fruit Company, a farm in Gresham, Oregon, will use a $72,000 grant to work with Oregon State University Food Innovation Center on a feasibility study and to market their new produce, a blueberry dessert topping.
- Firebird Farms, a farm in Ashland, Oregon, will use a $234,895 grant to expand their production, capacity, and marketing of Tibetan yak fiber goods including skulls, hides, and down fiber.
- Wild Oasis Bison Ranch, a farm in Eagle Point, Oregon, will use a $250,000 grant to expand the marketing and sales of their bison cuts.
- Rainshadow Organics, a farm in Sisters, Oregon, will use a $49,999 grant to expand the marketing and sales of Shrub, a juice drink consisting of excess or imperfect vegetables.
- La Creole Orchards, a farm in Portland, Oregon, will use a $49,999 grant to expand the marketing and sales of their olive oil with assistance from the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center.
- Creamy Cow, a farm in Junction City, Oregon, will use a $250,000 grant to expand the marketing and sales of their soft and hard cheeses.
- Lady-Lane Farm, a farm in Mulino, Oregon, will use a $250,000 grant to expand the sale of their cheese, butter, and ice cream into new markets.
- TMK Creamery, a farm in Canby, Oregon, will use a $250,000 grant to expand the marketing and sales of their hard pack ice cream, Swiss cheese, and owner-distilled Cowcohol vodka.
