This way of thinking also doesn’t take into account the work and advocacy Klamath Basin family farmers and ranchers do on behalf of the birds of the Pacific Flyway or area wildlife. Nor does it appreciate the tangled political web of the power of the Federal government, the Endangered Species Act, or water rights that put these refuges last in line and create “paper droughts” affecting farmers and waterfowl alike.

“The Upper Klamath Basin is not an easy place to live and work and farm and ranch,” said Kelley Delpit, program manager at Sustainable Northwest . “Many do it because they genuinely love it and are committed to giving back to this region and making it as sustainable and beautiful as possible.”

A good number of producers sat at the table with Sustainable Northwest and other partner agencies to celebrate and speak to one another about ongoing projects and potential funding for said projects.

A Day of Discovery

The tour took participants on a journey through some of the Klamath Basin’s most notable agricultural landmarks. Stops included Tally Ho Farms and Walker Bros. Grain, where attendees heard about the process of grain harvesting and milling. Each stop offered a deeper understanding of the vital connection between irrigation, local farming, and food production that sustains the nation.

The tour took participants on a journey through some of the Klamath Basin’s most notable agricultural landmarks. Stops included Tally Ho Farms and Walker Bros. Grain, where attendees heard about the process of grain harvesting and milling. Each stop offered a deeper understanding of the vital connection between irrigation, local farming, and food production that sustains the nation.

The tour took participants on a journey through some of the Klamath Basin’s most notable agricultural landmarks. Stops included Tally Ho Farms and Walker Bros. Grain, where attendees heard about the process of grain harvesting and milling. Each stop offered a deeper understanding of the vital connection between irrigation, local farming, and food production that sustains the nation.

Tricia Walker, representing Tally Ho Farms stated that her family’s operation spans 15,000 acres within and outside the Klamath Project and on both sides of the state line. They grow a variety of grains, alfalfa, and other legumes but pride themselves on high-quality chipper potatoes. The visited part of the farm has the unique benefit of having water rights established before the Klamath Project. Therefore, they face fewer restrictions on this ground.

Today, there are fewer younger entrepreneurs in the farming business not only due to an uncertain water supply but also the start-up costs. Tricia Walker gave the example of one main entry cost, the combine on display. “Fourteen years ago, it cost $550,000; today, it would cost over $1 million. This highlights the high entry costs in our industry,” Walker noted, emphasizing that land and storage facilities add to the financial burden.

Farm manager Ben DuVal explained that, despite the high costs, this investment significantly boosts productivity. Their combine can harvest enough wheat in just one hour to make 215,000 loaves of bread. However, fluctuating grain prices due to market conditions make managing costs more challenging. DuVal mentioned that grain prices are currently about half what they were two years ago. Grain is a globally traded commodity, and its price is influenced by both domestic and international markets, as well as various investors. The volatility of grain prices presents significant challenges for farmers, as fluctuations in the market can dramatically impact their profit margins. These fluctuations arise from multiple factors such as global supply and demand, political events, weather conditions, and trade policies.

For grain farmers, the uncertainty of market prices adds complexity to their decision-making process. Since the price they will receive for their harvest is largely unknown until after the grain is grown and ready for sale, farmers face the risk of reduced profits or even losses if market conditions shift unfavorably. Consequently, many farmers must rely on tools like futures contracts or crop insurance to mitigate the risks associated with these price fluctuations. However, even these measures are not foolproof, leaving grain farmers exposed to the inherent uncertainties of the commodity market.

Clint Walker (unrelated to Tricia Walker), owner and operator of Walker Bros Grain and a former logger, has long been tied to farming through his family. Seeing a need and an opportunity two years ago, he decided to purchase a grain elevator.

“The purpose of our grain elevator is so that the farmers have a place to store their grain; they bring the grain to us, we market it for them, we grade the quality, and then we work for the farmers to sell it.” The grain storage capacity of the elevator is about 40,000 tons.

Discussing the uncertainty surrounding the Klamath water supply, Clint explained, “Reclamation gives growers an initial water allocation at the start of the season but often reduces it as the season progresses. This leaves farmers uncertain if they’ll have enough water to finish their crops. As a result, many are turning to alternative grains, like beardless varieties, that can be cut for hay earlier.” Walker noted that it’s easy to spot grains that didn’t receive enough water: “They’re high in protein but have low yields and poor quality—exactly what happens when crops don’t get enough water.”

Clint also highlighted the growing trend of farmers planting triticale due to its drought tolerance. “A lot of growers are switching to varieties that require less water, like triticale and others, but these can be harder to sell. We end up moving them into the feed market, where they fetch lower prices because of the quality issues. That’s just the reality when there’s not enough water.”

When asked by a tour participant about his biggest concern, Clint responded, “The truth is, younger generations are leaving farming because of the uncertainty around water supplies and market conditions, making it harder to stay in the industry. They see money elsewhere and are leaving the basin. This opens the door for larger farming operations to buy up family-owned farms that have been passed down through generations, leading to the decline of small family farms—similar to what happened in the logging industry. On a positive note, some younger people are stepping up to take over, but we need to provide them with stable ground to succeed.”

Triticale wheat – a hybrid grain, created by crossing wheat and rye to give the combined benefits of both plants. Triticale is used in animal feed, human food products, and even biofuel production. It’s known for its hardiness, drought tolerance, and ability to grow in less-than-ideal soil conditions, making it a versatile crop in regions where traditional wheat may struggle.

Photo of grain storage. “ We prefer to store grain for just one year, clearing it out in time for the next harvest. However, when working on consignment with growers and the markets are down, like they were last year, we’ve noticed that growers are holding onto their grain longer, and we’re running out of storage space.”

One of the most thought-provoking moments of the day occurred during a walk through a wetland, led by local expert Marc Staunton. Staunton’s discussion on sustainable irrigation practices painted a vivid picture of how thoughtful water management can protect both the agricultural economy and the environment. His insights underscored the ongoing efforts to harmonize farming practices with the region’s natural ecosystems—a theme that resonated throughout the day.

Staunton began his talk with a moment of silence, inviting the group to attune their ears to the surrounding sounds of birds, moving water, insects, frogs, and fish splashing. He broke the silence by stating, “Water gives life, and what we just experienced highlights that these wetlands are integral to our natural ecosystem. This area was once the ancient lake bottom of Tule Lake, and it continues to inspire us as farmers.” Pointing to a wetland, he added, “Restoring land to its natural state allows it to rebound quickly. This field was planted organically last year, and it has now transformed into a flourishing wetland.”

In wetlands, nature follows its course; during spring or fall, there’s no need to re-seed the tules and plants along the banks. Farmers simply close the gates and add water, allowing the wetlands to flourish. Since the early 2000s, farmers have been rotating crops and wetlands, consistently yielding productive vegetation and attracting birds. As they continue to farm, the results remain the same—sustainable farming and thriving ecosystems. Staunton firmly believes farmers have discovered a vital tool for both species conservation and agriculture.

Marc recalled “2022, when local wildlife refuges was completely dry due to zero water allocation from reclamation. Unlike, what you just heard in the moment of silence, it was lifeless—no sounds, no birds, no frogs, just barren land. This field was entirely parched, with nothing growing; it was essentially fallow land, offering no grain feed or wetlands.”

He emphasizes that it’s crucial to recognize the tools we have at our disposal that consistently yield repeatable, sustainable results. Yet, we still face the ongoing challenge of insufficient water to implement these solutions—a point we’ve been stressing for over the past 20 years.

One question that came up was about how long it takes to convert land between wetlands and farmland. “Generally, transitioning from wetlands back to farming takes about one to two months, thanks to our effective water management and the use of tile draining. On the other hand, converting farmland to wetlands is almost instantaneous; we simply remove the equipment and turn on the water.”

“How do fish fit into this?” one participant asked. Staunton explained that in the early 2000s, the focus was primarily on supporting migratory birds and wetland species while developing compatible farming practices. However, they initially overlooked the vital role of native fish in these wetlands. Recently, they recognized this gap and started a project in collaboration with local tribes and agencies to introduce endangered short-nose suckers into their ponds. The goal is to evaluate their survival, but a significant challenge remains: many fish do not survive past certain age classes in the lake, and the reasons for this are still under investigation.

However, they have observed that in other areas, like the wetlands they manage, the fish populations are much healthier, stronger, and grow faster. These observations suggest potential opportunities that could help improve species survival while also allowing for continued farming practices.

Bridging Tradition and Innovation

A highlight of the tour was the visit to Klamath Community College (KCC), where participants were introduced to cutting-edge technologies that are in helping shape the future of agriculture. Guided by faculty members, Matt Walters, Mark Griffith and Isadora Peres de Souza. Attendees explored newly constructed facilities and state-of-the-art programs in welding, well-drilling, and agricultural technology. These innovative offerings emphasize KCC’s commitment to providing hands-on training for the next generation of agricultural professionals, bridging the gap between tradition and future-focused practices.

Matt Walters leads the welding program at KCC, which launched two years ago and offers two distinct pathways for students interested in welding. The first pathway focuses on specialized techniques such as stick, TIG, and MIG welding, enabling students to gain specific skills in just two terms. Alternatively, students can opt for the accelerated pathway, earning a comprehensive welding certificate in only one year.

Mark Griffith, the director of KCC’s apprenticeship program, heads the Well Drilling program, the first of its kind in Oregon. This program aims to train individuals for licensure in well drilling and construction. Apprentices in this program will also benefit from KCC’s welding program, earning both welding and pipe welding certificates while receiving training in construction practices.

Additionally, the program includes job site safety training and prepares students for exams on laws and regulations necessary to obtain both a well drillers’ license and the American Welding Society’s pipe welding certification.

Griffith explained that in 2022, KCC identified a community need for the Well Drilling program after nearly 1,000 domestic wells went dry in 2021, following the denial of irrigation water to the Klamath Project. Dry canals and lowering water tables contributed to the depletion of aquifers in the basin. In 2022, Oregon’s Joint Legislative Emergency Board allocated $975,000 to KCC through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to fund the well drilling program and acquire a well drilling rig.

Griffith noted that the program shifted its focus after the state of Oregon lost over 50 drillers last year, many of whom sold their businesses without passing them on to the next generation. Conversations with drillers highlighted the need for the program to adopt an apprenticeship model.

The program includes a high-tech classroom designed to accommodate remote students who need to complete the lecture portion of their training.

Additionally, it partners with a licensed driller operating in both Oregon and California to provide students with hands-on experience. This includes completing the required 15 logged site visits, totaling 90 hours of training in vertical and horizontal drilling. The program also integrates the testing process required for licensure through the Water Resources Department.

The final speaker at the KCC tour stop was Isadora Peres de Souza, who highlighted KCC’s Agriculture Science program. This program focuses on soil cultivation, crop production, livestock care, planting, and fish farming. Peres de Souza also introduced a new drone technology program launching in Fall 2024. The course will prepare students to become certified FAA Remote Pilots, covering the characteristics of professional sUAS operators, principles of commercial sUAS use, operator responsibilities, flight report development, and proficiency in sUAS flight safety and operations.

Additionally, the course offers an optional lab, Unmanned Aerial Systems Flight Technology I Lab, where students can use simulators to practice flying commercial drones and handling operations. These flight hours can be included on job applications for drone-related positions. Students will also have the opportunity to gain experience with commercial drone flights in the field.

“It’s incredible that we have stuff like this place, where farming methods and modern innovations come together,” said one tour participant. “It’s inspiring to see how local education is contributing to the growth and sustainability of our agricultural community.”

Supporting Partners: KWUA sincerely thanks the supporting partners of this year’s Fall Harvest Tour. Their generous contributions allowed community members to gain firsthand insight into the vital role agriculture plays in shaping our local and regional economies and communities. We are grateful for the support from AgWest Farm Credit, On The Verge Consulting, Pacific Crest Credit Union, Nygren’s Ag Repair, Basin Fertilizer, Horsley Farms, Gold Dust & Walker Farms, Staunton Farms, Klamath Falls News, Somach Simmons & Dunn, and MBK Engineers.

A highlight of the Fall Harvest Tour is the much-anticipated goody bags. As participants board the bus, they receive a reusable shopping bag filled with locally made products. This year’s bags featured Kettle potato chips, Beaver Horseradish, Diamond S Beef Jerky, specialty purple potatoes from Circle C Marketing, fresh sourdough bread from Hope Street Farmstand, Bigelow Perfectly Mint Tea, local honey from Smith Bee Co., and specialty pumpkins grown by Frank Hammerich.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Resiliency

As the day drew to a close, the importance of collaboration between farmers, water managers, and environmentalists became clearer than ever. KWUA reaffirmed its commitment to being a leading advocate for a strong farming community, even as challenges like water shortages, changing regulations, and climate conditions continue to affect the future of agriculture.

Stay Connected with KWUA

KWUA is dedicated to providing more opportunities for education and engagement in the coming months. Follow us at kwua.org for updates on future events, and community discussions, as we continue to advocate for a sustainable and prosperous future for both agriculture and the environment in the Klamath Basin.

Click here to see all the photos from the tour.

Basin Ag News, Herald and News, October 16, 2024
By Chelsea Shearer & Marcio Nunes