High Desert HIKE & FARM TO TABLE Lunch

Rainshadow Organics: Guided Tour & Luncheon

Saturday, August 2nd, 2025

Adventure: Central Oregon is rooted in endeavors that involve a deep connection and reliance on the land, perhaps none more impactful than farming, ranching, and logging. Our adventure will have us focused on Rainshadow Organics and how a small Central Oregon farm survives and thrives on land that sees less than 12 inches of rain per year and massive temperature swings from day to night, among other challenges. A rainshadow is a region that experiences very little rainfall as it is sheltered from moisture-laden winds by mountains and hills. Here in Central Oregon, when winds carrying moisture reach the cascades and are pushed up in elevation, the pressure and temperture change causes them to release their moisture as rain or snow and by the time those winds reach the eastern flank of the mountains, there is little moisture left. This is how we can have mountains to our west that annually see over 400 inches of snow each winter and desert to our east that receives little to no rain. It is this rugged and stark contrast that makes Central Oregon such an incredible place ecologically!

Naturalist Guided Experience: Our morning will start with a stunning hike at Smith Rock State Park. We will begin with a descent into the Crooked River Canyon, getting visual glimpses of how this rainshadow impacts this region’s geology, flaura, and fauna. Your guides may also impart their understandings of what this region may have looked like prior to the emergence of the younger cascade volcanoes such as the Three Sisters, Jefferson, and Washington. Smith Rock is truly the perfect place to garner stunning vistas of the mountains to the west that initiate the rainshadow effect while also see up close it’s effect on the landscape!

Rainshadow Organics: Step into the world of Rainshadow Organics! The farm tour is a mix of fun, learning, and plenty of photo ops. Discover how Rainshadow grew from an idea into a thriving farm, get the scoop on seed-saving, wildlife, and our mission to nourish our community. Come curious, leave inspired!

Lunch at Rainshadow is a celebration of flavor! After touring the farm, we’ll head to the Farm Store porch for a multi-course feast, where every bite is made with the freshest ingredients from our fields. Come hungry, leave inspired!

The Farm Store is a treasure trove of deliciousness! From pickles and sauces to honey, eggs, fresh veggies, and milled flour, there is something for every craving. Step inside to discover the bounty of Rainshadow’s land—and the culinary magic of their team who pickle, ferment, and craft these farm-fresh goodies into tasty, shelf-stable creations!

Can’t make it on August 2nd? We have our Forage to Table Hike and 4-Course Dinner on May 17th!