Feds allocate $2 million to Oregon farmers and ranchers for bison, yak products and more – Oregon Capital Chronicle

The federal authorities has allotted greater than $2 million to Oregon farmers and ranchers in seven counties to increase advertising and gross sales of varied objects, together with of bison meat and yak merchandise.

Oregon’s U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, introduced the funding on Wednesday. The $2.1 million in grants are a part of the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s value-added product program, which is designed to assist producers develop new merchandise and provides a precedence to new or starting farmers and ranchers, small and medium-sized operations, those that are socially deprived, cooperatives and a few household farms. 

The USDA allocates $31 million via this system every fiscal 12 months, giving every venture a most of $250,000.

“Oregon producers competed effectively for a great share of these monies,” Jill Rees, deputy state director of the USDA’s Rural Improvement workplace in Oregon.

The $2.1 million for Oregon is split amongst 11 tasks in Clackamas, Deschutes, Jackson, Lane, Multnomah, Polk and Wallowa counties:

• Zena Forest, a farm in Rickreall, Oregon, received $249,592 to increase its advertising and processing of uncooked logs into engineered flooring.
• Stangel Livestock, a household farm in Enterprise, is getting $250,000 to increase the advertising and gross sales of grass-fed bison meat and associated bison merchandise.
• Scenic Fruit Firm, a farm in Gresham, received $72,000 to work with Oregon State College Meals Innovation Heart on a feasibility examine and to market a blueberry dessert topping.
• Firebird Farms in Ashland is receiving a $234,895 grant to increase the manufacturing, capability, and advertising of Tibetan yak fiber items together with skulls, hides, and down fiber.
• Wild Oasis Bison Ranch, a farm in Eagle Level, received $250,000 to increase the advertising and gross sales of its bison cuts.
• Rainshadow Organics, a farm in Sisters, is getting $49,999 to increase the advertising and gross sales of Shrub, a juice drink made with extra or imperfect greens.
• La Creole Orchards in Portland received a $49,999 grant to increase the advertising and gross sales of its olive oil with help from the Oregon State College Meals Innovation Heart.
• Creamy Cow, a farm in Junction Metropolis, is getting $250,000 to increase the advertising and gross sales of its cheeses.
• Girl-Lane Farm, a farm in Mulino, received a $250,000 grant to promote its cheese, butter, and ice cream in new markets.
• TMK Creamery in Canby is receiving a $250,000 grant to increase the advertising and gross sales of its ice cream, Swiss cheese and distilled Cowcohol whey-based vodka.
• My Brothers’ Farm in Creswell, received $250,000 to market and increase the sale of its natural hazelnuts.

Wyden and Merkley mentioned the grants will assist Oregon farmers and ranchers, who depend on gross sales of specialty merchandise, to extend gross sales.

“Oregon’s household farmers and ranchers have put Oregon on the map as an agriculture powerhouse, all whereas supporting jobs throughout the state. These grant {dollars} assist kick-start efforts for household farms to innovate and proceed to compete in a worldwide market,” Wyden mentioned.

Merkley added: “The alternatives these grants will create for innovation and holding Oregon farmers and ranchers aggressive within the international market may have lasting impacts for Oregon communities.”