For years, the Basin has been profiled as “only producing” one or two crops, with little to no nutritional value.
Let’s bust this myth.
The Klamath Basin is built for production, with high altitudes, rich well-drained soils and (when allowed) abundant natural water resources. The short growing season makes production focused & structured, with close attention paid to the health & quality of crops and livestock. Paired with topography that compliments a wide variety of species & varieties, Basin ag is hardy, healthy and hard to beat.
Many of the Basin’s crops are sold on a contract-basis, which has been twisted into a negative point in the public arena. Contracts are built on pillars of quality, trust, confidence and consistency, all of which Basin producers do very well.
Here’s a roundup of the food and forage that flourishes in our Basin and helps feed the world:
Alfalfa: The nutrition-packed alfalfa which is grown in the Basin is sought after by livestock producers, serving as a critical food source for beef and dairy cattle across the country and around the world.
Barley: Barley thrives in the Basin, resulting in a nutrient-dense grain which is sought after by brewers across the country. Barley is often used as a rotational crop, improving soil health and vitality.
Beef: Raised with ready access to mountain valley pastures and often finished with locally raised grain or potatoes, Basin beef is packed with flavor and nutrition, making it some of the best around.
Carrots: Rooted in the Basin’s rich soils, carrots have made an appearance on area crop reports in recent years. Packed with flavor & nutrition, Basin-grown carrots provide natural color and vitamins in a variety of meals.
Garlic: The sandy shoreline soils which can be found in the Basin provide excellent drainage for outstanding garlic, which is raised for both seed and fresh market purposes.
Grain, Grass and Dairy-Quality Hay: In addition to prime alfalfa, Basin growers produce excellent grain, grass and blended hay options. The flexibility offered by different forages helps livestock producers tailor their nutrition programs to optimally support their herds.
Horseradish: World-renowned for its fiery bite and pure white root, Basin horseradish withstands cold winters & hot summers while providing excellent perennial ground cover and erosion control.
Lamb: Lean, delicious & sustainable, lamb is an excellent livestock option for small and large operations alike. Sheep serve as excellent carbon converters, turning pasture into an important protein source.
Lettuce: A newer crop to the area, lettuces thrive during the summer’s warm days and cool nights that the Basin is known for.
Microgreens: Much like lettuces, microgreens love the Basin’s climate. The close geographical location to the Pacific Northwest results in shorter ship times and fresher, tastier options at the grocery store.
Mint: The Basin’s high altitude, hot days & cool nights concentrate flavor in the leaves of mint crops, resulting in premium mint oil and tea leaf used in discerning markets around the world.
Nursery Crops: The Basin provides a strong start for plants that will be cultivated further in growing regions across the West. Strawberries and raspberries thrive on Basin-grown rootstock, as well as a variety of other fresh market crops.
Onions: The Basin’s ability to grow outstanding onions makes it an important region for producing dehydrator onions, which are a key ingredient for soups, pantry staples and seasoning blends.
Potatoes: One of the Basin’s most recognizable crops, potatoes are a cornerstone of diets around the world. High quality chipping potatoes, Russets, reds, yellows and specialty varieties serve as a potassium-packed part of millions of meals each year.
Wheat: White and red, soft and hard, spring and winter, amber waves of grain are a common sight in the Basin. With large acreage grown as certified organic, wheat is used as a core rotational option for many farms in the area.
Regardless of what opponents to Klamath Basin ag say, our family farmers and ranchers not only support our local area, but provide a wealth of crops to the nation and the world. Next time you crack open a beer, steep a bag of mint tea, throw a steak on the grill or make a salad to go with that steak, that food may have very well came from the Klamath Basin.