Wyden, Merkley Announce $840,000 Investment in Oregon Ranchers

Wyden, Merkley Announce $840,000 Investment in Oregon Ranchers

Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council and Wallowa Resources will receive funds to enhance conservational grazing for livestock

Washington D.C.-U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $540,523 for the Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council and $300,000 for Wallowa Resources to expand Oregon ranchers' access to enhanced conservation practices on grazing lands.

"Ranchers know firsthand how important conservation techniques are, particularly given the clear climate crisis we face," Wyden said. "At a time when so many Oregon ranchers are facing extreme drought, substantial wildfires and hard choices, I'm gratified this investment supports their efforts to employ climate-smart grazing practices that respond directly to the challenges they face."

"Agricultural producers play a major role in Oregon's economy, and as caretakers of the land we must make sure they have the means and incentives to ranch and farm in a sustainable way," said Merkley. "These awards for Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council and Wallowa Resources are an important step forward in supporting Oregon's agricultural producers and helping them incorporate more climate smart practices."

"Wallowa Resources is so grateful to Oregon's Senators for securing essential funding for our rural community. Support for working lands is invaluable. We are eager to initiate opportunities to further steward our rangelands through sustainable agriculture practices and peer to peer learning, which will have the long-term benefit of enhancing ecological and economic conditions in northeastern Oregon," said Nils Christoffersen, Executive Director.

This investment, through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), was made available by the Inflation Reduction Act.