The Pendleton Round-Up Board of Directors is donating the cash award for winning the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year to Farmers Ending Hunger. “We are pleased to make this contribution on behalf of the Pendleton community to such a worthy local charity. The $1,250 for being named Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year, coupled with the $15,000 raised by Farmers Ending Hunger during the 2017 Round-Up and Happy Canyon, will help reduce hunger during this long, cold winter season,” said Round-Up President Dave O’Neil.
The Round-Up has enjoyed a long association with the Farmers Ending Hunger organization. Founded by Hermiston entrepreneur Fred Ziari, past Round-Up Directors Boby Levy and Ty Hansell were guiding forces in the formation of Farmers Ending Hunger, Levy serving as an original FEH board member. Farmers Ending Hunger is unique in that farmers in Umatilla and Morrow agree to purposefully plant a set amount of their farm’s acreage to feed the hungry. Adding to the program’s success, food processing and transportation companies have agreed to package the foods and deliver them to the hungry via the Oregon Food Bank.
In 2017, the Round-Up and Happy Canyon formalized their relationship with Farmers Ending Hunger. Kenzie Hansell, a Happy Canyon Director and Farmers Ending Hunger Director, and son of Ty Hansell, captured the importance of the partnership when he observed, “The Round-Up and Happy Canyon began as a celebration the bountiful harvests of Umatilla and Morrow County ranchers and farmers. Partnering with Farmers Ending Hunger allows us to build on our commitment to better our community and state.” To symbolize the commitment of the two organizations, Round-Up and Happy Canyon adopted thirty acres as part of the Farmers Ending Hunger Adopt an Acre program with the help of sponsors like River Point Farms and Northwest Farm Credit Services. Through the efforts of Farmers Ending Hunger and its friends; over five million pounds of food, nearly 80% of which was raised in Umatilla and Morrow Counties, have been donated to feed hungry Oregonians this year.
The Round-Up, Happy Canyon and Farmers Ending Hunger are currently planning to expand Farmers Ending Hunger activities at the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon on September 12th through 15th, 2018. If you would like to become involved with Farmers Ending Hunger or learn more about their activities, please contact John Burt at (503) 623-3188 or visit their web site at www.farmersendinghunger.com.