Diversification provides options for farmers

Agritourism and Regenerative Agriculture in Sisters Country

Introduction

Two buzz words increasingly used when talking about present-day farming and ranching operations are “agritourism” and “regenerative agriculture.” Both are departures from traditional farming practices.

Agritourism: Connecting People with Agriculture

By diversifying their operations to offer opportunities for the public to experience what goes on at a working ranch or farm, farmers and ranchers can create additional income. Agritourism allows people to connect with the products, practices, and places that produce our food, commodities, and the way of life experienced in agricultural areas.

The types of agritourism activities allowed in exclusive farm use (EFU) zones for properties with an existing farm use in Oregon were established by statute (SB 960) by the state legislature in 2011. Individual counties adopt ordinances in compliance with the state criteria and may add local requirements.

Deschutes County incorporated the law into county code in 2012, which requires obtaining a limited use permit to conduct the agritourism activities. In Deschutes County, the term agritourism refers to a commercial enterprise at a working farm or ranch that is incidental (in addition to) and subordinate (secondary) to the existing farm use of the tract and promotes successful agriculture. The commercial enterprise generates supplemental income for the owner and must be related to and supportive of agriculture.

According to Oregon State University, today in Oregon just over one percent of the population lives on farms, and fewer than 20 percent of the population lives in rural areas. On-farm agritourism experiences help provide the remaining small farms with additional revenue streams while also educating visitors from urban areas about the importance of farming.

Agritourism can take many forms, including:

• Farm stands and on-farm sales
• U-pick and u-cut
• Farm-to-table meals
• Experiential educational classes or programs
• Farm tours
• On-farm lodging
• Promotional activities such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes
• Recreation such as horse riding, bird watching, fishing, and hunting

Regenerative Agriculture: Building Soil, Habitat, and Diversity

Regenerative agriculture uses a variety of sustainable agricultural techniques in combination, such as:

• Organic soil regeneration and rehabilitation with composting (no chemicals)
• Increasing biodiversity of crops (instead of monocropping)
• No-till and/or reduced-till practices for minimal soil disturbance and reduced carbon emission
• Water percolation and retention
• Mixed crop rotation
• Rotational grazing
• Cover cropping

Put simply, regenerative agriculture is about building soil, habitat, and diversity.

Farms and Ranches in Sisters Country

Rainshadow Organics

Rainshadow Organics, located on Holmes Road 15 miles northeast of Sisters, is a 200-acre family-owned full-diet farm. They produce dozens of varieties of certified organic vegetables, herbs, berries, flowers, pork, chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, and grains, using regenerative farming practices.

They sell their products through CSA programs at their on-site farm store, at the Wednesday Bend Farmers’ Market, and to local restaurants and grocery stores. Their farm table dinners feature all their farm-raised products. They are certified organic and use only sustainable practices, with no chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides.

Pole Creek Ranch

Pole Creek Ranch is an iconic 345-acre ranch on Highway 242 whose mission is “to create healthy land, healthy animals, and a healthy community. According to their website, “To responsibly manage our land, we use regenerative agricultural practices and rotational grazing to mimic the grazing patterns of wild herds, enriching the quality and biodiversity of our soil…. Our mission is to reconnect people with their food and the land that produces it… specializing in farm-direct delivery of our premium pasture-raised natural beef.”

The ranch raises premium red angus cattle and low-carb pasture blend hay and low-carb orchard grass, which they sell.

Lazy Z Ranch

Lazy Z Ranch is a “farm at the front yard of Sisters” and has been for decades. The ranch practices regenerative agriculture as they create their Lazy Z Ranch Wines – mead made from the honey produced by bees in their 35-40 apiaries that pollinate their regenerative bee pastures.

The pastures feature a multi-species ecosystem, with an emphasis on drought-resistance and pollinator habitat. Pasture-boarded horses and goats help in the regenerative process as does short-term, high-density grazing by cattle in the regenerative bee pastures to stimulate and sustain soil health.

Seed to Table

Seed to Table is a four-acre farm plot that began 10 years ago on property belonging to the Tehan family of Sisters. Their food system restores ecosystems while providing equitable access to fresh foods and opportunities for community members to engage positively with farm-fresh foods.

They have produce shares available for purchase, providing 750 individuals per week with fresh and locally grown produce. They provide 75,000 pounds of fresh produce to the community each year. Over 1,500 school students have experienced farm-based fresh food education. They host farm-to-table dining events featuring products from the farm.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, on Lower Valley Drive in Terrebonne, offers a summer concert series, wine release parties, farmers markets, winemaker dinners, praise and worship on Sunday mornings, and serves as a venue for special events and weddings. They cultivate at least 15 acres of grapes.

Pine Meadow Ranch

Pine Meadow Ranch is a kaleidoscope of plants, animals, insects, and art with gardens planted to resemble quilts, rows of vegetables, black angus cattle and sheep doing short-term, high-density grazing, a berry test garden, and a native plant pollinator garden. Many of the flowers in the gardens are used to dye fabrics.

Kathy Deggendorfer has created an artist residency program that is helping preserve this historic ranch, where they are using regenerative agriculture to restore the health of the soil and increase output.

Conclusion

In Sisters Country, agrit

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
6. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
7. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
8. SDG 13: Climate Action
9. SDG 15: Life on Land

Targets and Indicators

• Target: Increase income and employment opportunities for farmers and ranchers through agritourism activities.
• Indicator: Number of farmers and ranchers engaged in agritourism activities.
• Target: Promote sustainable agricultural practices, such as regenerative agriculture.
• Indicator: Adoption of regenerative agricultural techniques by farmers and ranchers.
• Target: Educate urban visitors about the importance of farming and agriculture.
• Indicator: Number of urban visitors participating in on-farm agritourism experiences.
• Target: Increase access to fresh and locally grown produce.
• Indicator: Number of produce shares purchased and pounds of fresh produce provided to the community.
• Target: Promote sustainable and responsible land management practices.
• Indicator: Adoption of regenerative agricultural practices and rotational grazing by farmers and ranchers.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: nuggetnews.com

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