Seed to Table pushing toward fundraising

In 2013, when Audrey Tehan began the Seed to Table program in the Sisters schools, she had no idea her efforts would grow into feeding hungry families and educating youth across Central Oregon. Now as the executive director, she’s asking the community she loves and serves to help the nonprofit organization prepare for next year’s harvest, programming, and outreach.

As she looks toward 2022, Tehan’s mind is filled with planning. There are new lessons to uncover, seeds to purchase, equipment to acquire, and most important, building up a talented staff to carry out the monumental task of growing an anticipated 30 tons of veggies in Central Oregon’s extreme climate. It’s all part of her dream to serve the community she was raised in, while sharing her love for farming, environmental conservation, and desire to support individual wellness.

Fundraising efforts have been moving toward Tehan’s goal of raising $120,000. Funds will go to cover 2022 farm start-up costs and launch education programming led by Hannah Joseph. In her first year in the classrooms and fields of Sisters, Joseph has infused 10 years of edible education experience from across the world, from Brooklyn to Thailand. Joseph’s skills and passion for building community through fresh veggies and teaching farm-based education have resulted in even greater impacts and lasting experiences for local children and families. She’s an asset to the community and beloved by her students.

The small but highly efficient farm serves as a living laboratory for student learning while also producing 53,000 pounds of food in 2021. Close to $50,000 of Seed to Table produce was donated across Central Oregon. With a 30 percent increase in the demand for fresh produce, Tehan knows next year will push the limits of what she and her team can produce. But that only inspires them to do more.

The Seed to Table team is immensely grateful for the donations they’ve received so far, but they are $18,000 short of their goal. Tehan, her staff, and the Seed to Table board are reaching out to the community to bridge the gap and ensure they’ll be ready to serve Sisters Country.

Seed to Table is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 82-3795618)

To make a tax-deductible donation to Seed to Table,

visit http://www.seedtotableoregon.org/donate-today or mail a check to Seed to Table, PO Box 1812, Sisters, OR 97759.