Central Oregon Locavore has been awarded a $25,000 grant that will fund a new business accelerator program for local farmers, ranchers, and food producers — a development with direct benefits for Jefferson County's deep agricultural community.

The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant

The funding comes from the Miller Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, awarded through its Thriving Entrepreneurs initiative. Central Oregon Locavore announced the grant Thursday.

The money will launch an 18-month "Locavore Producer" accelerator program designed to help small and mid-size agricultural producers tackle some of their most persistent business challenges:

  • Pricing products to actually cover costs and generate profit
  • Improving overall business profitability and financial health
  • Managing seasonal cash flow — a chronic challenge in agriculture
  • Planning production more efficiently to match market demand

Why It Matters in Jefferson County

Jefferson County's economy is rooted in agriculture. Wheat, mint, potatoes, hay, and cattle ranching form the backbone of rural livelihoods across the county, from the farms along Grizzly Road to the ranches east of Ashwood. Producers here often face the same pressures affecting farmers nationally — thin margins, volatile commodity prices, and the challenge of competing with large-scale operations.

Programs like the Locavore accelerator help smaller producers find footing in local and regional markets, where direct relationships with buyers and differentiated, locally-grown products can offset the scale disadvantage of a family operation.

About Central Oregon Locavore

Central Oregon Locavore is a nonprofit organization that connects local food producers with consumers and institutions across the region. The organization runs farmers markets, wholesale distribution programs, and educational initiatives aimed at strengthening the regional food system from the ground up.

The 18-month accelerator program is expected to launch in early 2027. Farmers and ranchers interested in participating are encouraged to watch for enrollment announcements from Central Oregon Locavore in the coming weeks, or contact the organization directly through their website at centraloregonlocavore.org.

For Jefferson County producers already working with Locavore markets or distribution channels, the accelerator could be a meaningful next step in building a more resilient business — one better equipped to weather the unpredictability that defines life in agriculture.