<div>We are Maegen and James, a husband-and-wife team who have called Bend, Oregon, home for nearly 20 years. In January of 2021, we took a leap of faith and started <strong>Cultivate Farms</strong>, driven by a dream to build something meaningful for our family and our community. We could never have imagined just how much this farm would change our lives, as we’ve grown each year with our children by our side every step of the way.
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<div>When we started, the land was nothing but depleted, barren soil—what some called “moondust”. Transforming it into something that could just sustain life, let alone the abundance of a farm seemed impossible. But with hard work, persistence, and a deep belief in what we could create, we turned that land into a thriving ecosystem. Today, it’s a flourishing example of what 1/2 of an acre can produce in Central Oregon, home to native pollinators, chickens, bees, and an array of Certified Naturally Grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs.
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<div><strong>This farm has become much more than just a source of food—it’s become our way of life</strong>. Through our CSA’s and seasonal Farmer’s Market’s, we’ve been able to connect and sell directly to each and every one of our customers, providing local families with fresh, healthy food. Along the way, we felt a fundamental change in our core, we realized that farming is more than just a livelihood for us, <strong>it is something we want to continue for as long as we are able</strong>.
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<div>We have done all of this while living in low-income housing community in downtown Bend, communting mutiple times a day to our farm plot. Every decision we’ve made has been driven by our commitment to sustainablility—protecting the soil, conserving water, and choosing to only use environmentally-concious practices.
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<div>We have overcome a multitude of obstacles to achieve the point we are at today, and we wish that after these 4 years we would be feeling more secure as small business owners and farmers in Central Oregon, but this season has brought the biggest challenge yet. <strong>Our agreement to use the land we’ve been farming is not being renewed, but what makes it even more complicated is the loss of a critical piece of infastructure—our Walk-In cooler and indoor growing space we retrofitted from a shipping container that sat unused on the property</strong>. This space was built with credit card debt, countless labor hours, and a community grant designed to promote local food security. We thought it would be part of our farm for many years to come, but now we’re being forced to leave it behind as we are to be off the property by the end of November. We have been denied the opportunity to purchase the shipping container for any price, <strong><em>with no reasoning provided.</em></strong>
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<div>We have secured a new long-term lease on 2-acres of land across town with a determination to expand. The quick timeline, and significant costs combined with this loss of infrastructure, has left us scrambling to rebuild and stay on track for our goals of 2025.
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<div>To make things even more difficult, James recently suffered a knee injury that required surgery in the hospital, this will leave him unable to do any of the farm tasks required to move and rebuild for several months. Additionally, this injury will prevent him from securing seasonal work, which we rely on to sustain our basic needs throughout the winter for a family of 5. <strong><em>We are asking for help to rebuild and make it through this challenging time</em></strong>.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help Us Rebuild</strong>
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<div>We have poured everything we have into this farm, and we’re committed to continuing, but we can’t do it without support. Your help will ensure that we can move and rebuild in time to keep<strong> Cultivate Farms</strong> going.
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<div>Cost Breakdown what we need:
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<div><strong>Rebuild our Walk-in Cooler + Greenhouse - $15,000 </strong>
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<div>These structures are essential for storing produce and growing year-round. Without them, we lose the ability to sustain our operations and provide for the community.
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<div><strong>Specialized Labor Services - $3,000 </strong>
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<div>We need skilled labor to rebuild critical infrastructure, including electrical work and general construction.
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<div><strong>Relocation - $500 </strong>
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<div>To move our equipment and supplies to the new location as quickly as possible.
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<div><strong>Irrigation - $500</strong>
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<div>This will provide us the ability to set up a new irrigation system to ensure water for our crops at the first opportunity next spring.
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<div><strong>Join Us in Building a Sustainable Future</strong>
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<div>There are many ways you can help—<strong>every action makes a difference</strong>.
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<div><strong>Spread the Word</strong>: Sharing this campaign to help us reach as many people as possible.
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<div><strong>If just 950 people donate $20 we will reach our goal of $19,000. </strong>
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<div><strong><em>That is less than 1% of Bend</em>.</strong>
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<div><strong>Donate Supplies</strong>: If you’re interested in donating items or volunteering, please <a href="https://bendfarms.com/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contact Us Here</a> or on our website.
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<div><em> We are in need of:</em>
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<div><em>A shipping container of any length</em>
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<div><em>A utility trailer</em>
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<div><em>Greenhouses (we are open to any sizes and mostly any condition*)</em>
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<div><em>A Small tractor</em>
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<div><em>T-posts and fencing materials</em>
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<div><em>PVC Piping</em>
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<div><em>Lumber, Tools, Gardening Supplies</em>
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<div><em>Lawn mowers or any unused equipment that could help with the rebuilding</em>
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<div><em>Professional services related to construction, farming, or anything that supports our rebuilding efforts</em>
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<div><strong>Why Your Help Matters</strong>
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<div>This isn’t just about saving a farm—it’s about saving a way of life. Farming is our passion, and it’s the heart of our connection to this community. Every crop we grow, every meal we have a hand in creating, strengthens that bond. But now, we’re at a turning point, and we can’t do it alone.
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<div>With your support we can rebuild, recover from this setback, and continue growing for Bend. We have the determination and the will to rebuild, but we need the resources to make it happen. Together, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth and resilience.
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<div><strong>Support Us Through Our Products</strong>
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<div>Another way to contribute is by purchasing our farm's products
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<div><a href="https://bendfarms.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>
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<div>Every purchase helps us keep moving forward and continue feeding our community.
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<div>Thank you humbly,
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<div>Maegen and James Radnich
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<div>Cultivate Farms
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Anya Tyson

Heidi Samuel

Amy Gregory

Lynn Perry

Peg Molina

Anonymous

Julia Gonser

Joan Fryxell

Holiday Wreath Fundraiser

Jon Jones

Leah Thompson

Claire Myerscough

Jonathan Reynolds

Ella Rohweder

Support Cultivate Farms: A Story of Resilience and Community

Support Cultivate Farms: A Story of Resilience and Community

Still $10,920 to go. Help us build momentum.