For farmers, leasing their land is a way to earn some income back for the land they own. For renters, it's a safe, BIG step toward the farm life without the commitment of owning land. With the average farmer age being 60, this program also offers younger people a way to connect with people in the community who have been farming most, if not all, of their life. In doing so, we can encourage the…

Several farmers and ranchers in Deschutes County, who raise livestock, face many challenges utilizing and storing their manure. In most cases, there is more manure produced than can be used. The Manure Exchange Program provides a mechanism to connect those who need a fresh source of manure/compost with ones that have too much.