The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced a $755,077 award to Northwest Mills and Specialty Grains, operating as Cairnspring Mills, to support a grain milling infrastructure project at Coyote Business Park. The development is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).
This funding is part of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The program aims to strengthen local and regional food systems by building resilience in the middle of the supply chain, including processing, storage, and distribution.
Located seven miles east of Pendleton, Coyote Business Park offers commercial and industrial sites with support for business growth, including workforce development and local marketing. The grant will facilitate construction of a regenerative flour mill producing fresh milled products from regionally grown grains. The project includes building a grain storage and milling facility, two grain silos, and a truck scale to increase grain processing capacity in Eastern Oregon.
Bill Tovey of CTUIR praised the funding, noting its benefits for the Tribe’s Farm Enterprise and local farmers. Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, ODA director, called the grant a “win-win” that supports local farmers, creates markets for unique grains, and helps the Umatilla Tribe’s business park thrive.
The RFSI program, funded by the American Rescue Plan, has awarded $4 million to 24 projects in Oregon to support middle supply chain infrastructure. More information is available on ODA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.
