Berries for sale at the Burns Farmers Market. Photo by Brandon McMullen.

Harney County Food Systems

The Harney County Food Systems Initiative is a community-driven effort to grow local food security, economic opportunity, and resilience across southeast Oregon. From community gardens to farmers markets, homesteading workshops to farm-to-school programs, we're building a stronger local food system—together.

This is a grassroots initiative, bringing together farmers, gardeners, business owners, educators, and community members to tackle food system challenges through collaboration, education, and hands-on projects.

The Harney County Food Systems Committee guides the work, but participation is open to everyone. 

• The Focus
  • Food Security – Growing and preserving more food locally, especially when supply chains are disrupted
  • Food Access – Making fresh, quality food available and affordable for everyone
  • Economic Opportunity – Supporting residents who want to start food-related businesses and microenterprises
• The Doing: Community Gatherings; Growing & Producing; Learning & Skill Building; Making Food Affordable
  • Long Table dinners celebrating local food and community
  • Bi-monthly meetings on food system topics
  • Special events from Frenchglen to Burns
  • Harney Garden of Eatin' community garden
  • Burns Farmers Market
  • CSA boxes with weekly deliveries to Harney Hub
  • Crane drip irrigation farm pilot
  • Homesteading and food preservation workshops
  • County fair demonstrations and exhibits
  • Farm-to-school connections
  • Double Up Food Bucks program (matching funds for SNAP/Oregon Trail card users buying fresh produce)

For more, contact Harney County Food Systems Coordinator Kellie Frank, kellie@highdesertpartnership.org.

Harney Brand: Land Water Sky Soul

The Harney brand celebrates the deep connection between people and the land in this unique high desert region of Oregon. Born from conversations with Harney County residents, it reflects who we are now and who we're striving to become: a community that cherishes wide open spaces, lives close to the land, and helps neighbors through the challenges of frontier rural life. We value respect for the land, dedication to working together, and active stewardship of our lifestyle—with a vision for a diverse, thriving local economy that preserves our character while sustaining livelihoods for future generations.

Two distinctive sub-brands extend the Harney identity: Made in Harney celebrates local artisans, producers, and craftspeople whose products embody the authentic spirit and quality that can only come from this remarkable landscape. Harney Basin Crossing honors our region's vital role as a crucial waypoint on the Pacific Flyway, where millions of migratory birds pause during their epic journeys. Together, these brands create a unified regional identity that helps businesses stand out, connects customers to authentic experiences, and builds pride in our shared heritage and natural resources.

Visit thisisharney.com, follow @thisisharney on Facebook and Instagram

For more contact Biz Harney Collaborative Coordinator Anna Gahley (anna@highdesertpartnership.org) or Food Systems Coordinator Kellie Frank (kellie@highdesertpartnership.org).

High Desert Biomass Cooperative

The High Desert Biomass Cooperative (The Cooperative) is a community heating district providing clean heat using purchased wood chips and using wood waste from Malheur National Forest to heat Harney County School District No. 3, the Harney County Courthouse, and Symmetry Care. 

The Cooperative is considered a model for sustainable rural economic development in eastern Oregon and is one of only 30 communities chosen from across the U.S. to participate in the National Renewable Energy Lab, Local Energy Action Program (LEAP). LEAP provides critical technical assistance helping to strengthen the Cooperative's board and develop educational materials for the community—including a K–6 curriculum that teaches students how their school is heated through biomass. The Cooperative has also benefitted from the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program to build a biomass fuel storage facility near the biomass boiler in an effort to streamline operations at the biomass facility. 

For more contact Andrea Letham, andrea@highdesertpartnership.org.