Panel Discussion: Small-Scale Farming and Water Use in the Deschutes Basin

Have you been following the extreme drought taking place in Central Oregon and wondering what impacts it is having on local farmers and ranchers? Join the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance for a virtual panel discussion titled “Small-Scale Farming and Water Use in the Deschutes Basin” on August 9th from 6-7:30pm to hear about solutions and ask your farm and ranch related questions to our panel of experts.

There are a variety of stakeholders who rely on water from the Deschutes Basin, which starts in the lakes of the Cascade Mountains and flows to the Columbia River, including conservationists, tourism and recreation professionals, and farmers and ranchers. Many farmers in this area grow hay or other fibers, but this panel will be focused specifically on small- to medium-sized food-producing farmers and ranchers in Central Oregon.

Panelists include:

Phil Chang: Deschutes County Commissioner

Kate Fitzpatrick: Executive Director of the Deschutes River Conservancy and Member of the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative

Shon Rae: Deputy Managing Director of Central Oregon Irrigation District

Todd Peplin: Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District Programs Lead