HARNEY COUNTY-Across Harney County and throughout Oregon, local entrepreneurs and food producers are getting a boost to turn big ideas and hard work into sustainable, thriving businesses.
The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) has awarded $905,000 in Thriving Entrepreneurs grants to 39 organizations across the state. Among the grant recipients is High Desert Partnership, which received funding to bolster its support for farmers, ranchers, and local food producers across Harney County through technical assistance, market coordination, and local food market development.
The Thriving Entrepreneurs grant program supports business owners of all ages through capital access, hands-on coaching, technical assistance, business training, and professional networking. Priority is given to organizations serving individuals who have faced historic and ongoing barriers to resources and growth opportunities.
Strengthening Harney County’s Agricultural Economy
For Harney County, where agriculture and food production form the bedrock of the local economy, the grant funding supports critical infrastructure for local producers.
Through its programming, High Desert Partnership works directly alongside regional farmers and ranchers, helping them navigate market opportunities, coordinate distribution, and gain the business tools necessary to expand their footprint locally and regionally.
“It can be lonely to run a small business, and many entrepreneurs just need a little support to manage inventory, build systems or run their business more effectively,” said Jocelyn Beh, Economic Vitality and Housing Program Officer at Oregon Community Foundation. “This grant program is made to provide support for entrepreneurs who are experts in their craft but need to sharpen their business or operational skills.”
From Farmers Markets to Retail Shelves
The impact of entrepreneur support programs can be seen in stories like that of Nora and Oscar Villasenor, founders of the chili crisp brand Al Xile.
A few years ago, the couple started behind a table at local farmers markets, introducing their product to customers one conversation at a time. With support from Built Oregon—a nonprofit grant recipient that assists consumer-product entrepreneurs—the Villasenors gained access to mentorship, refined their sales pitch, and tested products across different markets. Today, Al Xile products are sold in approximately 60 retail locations across Oregon, including Market of Choice and New Seasons Market.
“Our mission is to champion the people behind Oregon’s consumer brands because they take the personal risk to create more innovative solutions and provide better economic resilience for our community,” said Katharine Reinhold, Executive Director of Built Oregon.
Beh noted that small business support benefits entire communities: “When small business owners have access to the right support, they create jobs, generate local economic activity and build opportunities that can last for generations.”
Statewide Reach Supporting Rural Innovation
Since 2021, OCF’s Thriving Entrepreneurs program has awarded more than $3.5 million to 83 organizations across Oregon.
High Desert Partnership joins a diverse network of 2026 grantees dedicated to rural, agricultural, and culturally specific business development, including:
Oregon Agricultural Trust: Expanding business advising and technical assistance for agricultural entrepreneurs to build financial resilience and long-term viability.
Central Oregon Locavore: Utilizing 17 years of local sales data to help regional farmers, ranchers, and food producers understand market demand, price sustainably, and grow sales.
Northwest Native Chamber: Providing culturally specific support and technical expertise to Native entrepreneurs.
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN): Expanding its Rural Innovators workshops into rural coastal and inland communities to address local food access, agricultural efficiency, and small-batch production.
Xcelerate Women: Connecting women and gender-expansive business owners with expert mentors to scale operations.
Building Local Resilience
By investing in organizations like High Desert Partnership, Oregon Community Foundation continues to help rural communities turn local craftsmanship and agricultural tradition into long-term economic independence.
To learn more about High Desert Partnership’s programs supporting local food producers and community initiatives in Harney County, visit highdesertpartnership.org.
About High Desert Partnership
High Desert Partnership brings together diverse stakeholders in Harney County to find collaborative, community-driven solutions for land management, rural economic vitality, local agriculture, and youth education.
About Oregon Community Foundation
Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through philanthropy. Each year, OCF distributes more than $200 million in grants and scholarships statewide in partnership with donors and volunteers. Learn more at oregoncf.org.
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