Harney County's locally made goods reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and traditions of the people who call this place home.
From cattle raised on wide-open rangelands to handmade jewelry and artwork inspired by the high desert, the things created in Harney County speak to a deep relationship with the land.
Made in Harney celebrates that relationship by connecting consumers with farmers, cattle ranchers, food producers, and artisans whose livelihoods and creativity are rooted here.
Developed through High Desert Partnership’s Biz Opportunity Collaborative, Made in Harney grew out of a community-based effort to tell the story of Harney County’s business owners in their own words. The initiative gives local businesses a shared identity and a recognizable label to promote their products, helping them reach new customers and encouraging residents and visitors to shop locally.
Helping Local Businesses Thrive
The Made in Harney label helps local products stand out, but the collaborative work of the initiative is also creating new opportunities for small businesses.
For years, the lack of a local certified meat-processing facility limited opportunities for Harney County’s cattle ranchers to sell beef by the individual cut. High Desert Partnership worked with Business Oregon to establish local processing capacity, allowing producers to have beef processed closer to home and sell directly to customers.
High Desert Partnership also works closely with local growers to explore new agricultural opportunities and expand production. One result of that collaboration is locally grown cabbage used by Reframe Provisions to make krauts, kimchi, and other fermented foods. Bearing the Made in Harney label, these products carry a piece of Harney County to markets as far away as California.
And Made in Harney extends well beyond agriculture and cattle ranching. Local artwork and handmade goods by regional makers are showcased in Burns’ downtown shops and galleries, such as Untamed Spirit Gallery. For artists and craftspeople working on a smaller scale, the Made in Harney label helps bring their work to a wider audience and creates new opportunities to grow their businesses.
Growing Made in Harney
Made in Harney is already helping local businesses gain recognition and reach new customers, with more opportunities on the horizon.
The Burns Paiute Tribe is an important part of the conversation as Made in Harney continues to grow. With a connection to the Harney Basin spanning thousands of years, the Tribe carries forward traditions of craftsmanship and jewelry making, along with agricultural knowledge and practices passed down through generations. Made in Harney is exploring opportunities to showcase the work of Burns Paiute artists and makers and connect them with new customers and markets.
Plans are also underway for a Made in Harney cooperative that would bring together products from Harney County's multigenerational ranching families, farmers, food producers, artists, and craftspeople. By showcasing the work of local makers in one place, the cooperative will be another opportunity for small businesses to connect with customers and support one another.
Look for the Label
Want to support Harney County's makers? Start with the local shops, galleries, and markets. Browse artwork and handcrafted goods in downtown Burns, visit seasonal farmers markets for locally grown foods, or ask restaurants about ingredients sourced from area ranches and farms.
As Made in Harney grows, keep an eye out for the label in downtown shops and galleries, on locally made products, and at participating restaurants. Every purchase is an opportunity to support a local business and bring home something with a connection to this remarkable place.
Be Part of Made in Harney
The Made in Harney label may be new, but the craftsmanship, creativity, and traditions it celebrates have been part of Harney County for generations. As the initiative grows, it creates new opportunities for local makers and producers to build on that legacy.
Want to Get Involved?
High Desert Partnership welcomes local artists, makers, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses to participate in the initiative. Business owners can learn more about the brand agreement and find out how to join Made in Harney by contacting Anna Gahley at anna@highdesertpartnership.org.
Contact Anna Gahley
