Submitted photo

From L-R: High Desert Partnership (HDP) Director Brenda Smith, HDP Board Member Fred Flippence, Curt Blackburn of Jett Blackburn Real Estate, and Becki Graham of HDP.

High Desert Partnership (HDP), a nonprofit whose mission is “Working Together for Harney County,” has successfully purchased a warehouse to be used by the EcoSource Native Seed Project. The new business model is being developed to work with Harney County farmers and ranchers to sort and store native grass seed for restoration efforts. Not only will this help ensure fire-ravaged rangeland will be reseeded with native plants, but it will also provide an additional revenue stream for local producers who are or will begin growing native grasses.

The purchase is the first by HDP, and the building will function as a warehouse, office, and technical workspace; it was the next step for the fledgling project.

Many entities came together to make the purchase of the property possible. By extension, they are helping to get the project launched. These include Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative and EcoSource, Morrow Development Corporation, Harney County, the city of Burns, Harney County Economic Development, Curt Blackburn Real Estate, and Harney Small Business Development Center.

“It is phenomenal that so many individuals and organizations came together to support the purchase of this building, which embodies the collaborative vision of High Desert Partnership. To garner the financial support of the Port of Morrow speaks to the level of commitment throughout Eastern Oregon to preserve our natural resources and support agriculture,” Harney County Economic Development Director Greg Smith said.