A Call to Protect and Reunite a Crucial Central Oregon Ranch

Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT), Deschutes Land Trust (DLT), and Sarahlee Lawrence (Rainshadow Organics) are working together to reunite two historic ranches, Pitchfork T Ranch and Long Hollow Ranch, into one thriving ecological landscape. Together, we can ensure these lands remain productive, protected, and alive with purpose for generations to come.

The Lower Bridge Valley is the last vestige of commercial agriculture in Deschutes County, which makes it a vital landscape for both conservation and education. The grazing allotments are situated at the confluence of the Deschutes River, Alder Springs, and Whychus Creek, which are critical fish and wildlife habitats. Its proximity to Bend, a rapidly growing metropolitan area, brings two profound pulls: a threat to protect against development and an opportunity to engage the public in meaningful, hands-on conservation.  This land is indispensable to the success of our regional ecosystems and stands as a microcosm of the broader American West, reflecting its challenges and opportunities for successful conservation.

This ranch will serve as:

• A working ranch, producing responsibly raised, grass-fed, grass-finished beef.
• An educational hub, where academic institutions will host fieldwork, research, and on-farm training.
• A community resource, connecting people to the land, their food, and the future of ranching in Oregon.
• An opportunity to strengthen conservation training, advance scientific discovery, and promote a localized food system model.

Why Now (The Threat):

Larger ranches are becoming increasingly rare in Deschutes County. Located in one of the fastest growing areas in Oregon, properties like Pitchfork T and Long Hollow are facing immense pressure to subdivide and convert to ranchette properties that no longer have the ability to be viable working ranches. The historic Long Hollow Ranch, which encompasses the current Long Hollow and Pitchfork T Ranch, dates back to the late 1800s. Over the years, the properties were split into two, with the current management leasing them as a single regenerative ranching operation. However, Pitchfork T Ranch property is currently for sale. The development potential of the 740 total deeded acres could be up to 20 multimillion-dollar home sites. This mimics the surrounding areas, as Central Oregon is becoming one of the most expensive places to live in the country. At best, it would likely be purchased by non-producers, taken out of agricultural production, and made unaffordable to future ranchers. 

The Ecology of the Land/Conservation Efforts

The landscape that ties Pitchfork T Ranch and Long Hollow Ranch together is an ecological cornerstone of Central Oregon. Grazing lands extend up toward Alder Springs, a pristine and protected area that feeds Whychus Creek, one of the key headwaters of the Deschutes River. This connection means that the health of the ranch directly influences the health of the watershed that sustains fish, wildlife, and communities downstream.

What makes this ranch special is its longstanding grazing allotments, adjacent to the deeded ranch land, create a massive wildlife corridor. It’s the intersection of the Mule Deer and Elk winter range and a priority wildlife connectivity area. It is also the home of the Metolious Wolf Pack. Wolves that were previously exterminated are now coming back to this area for the first time in 60 years. 

In the summer of 2025, the Flat Fire burned 23,000 acres, including the grazing allotments north of Holmes Rd. Now more than ever, it is a critical moment for protection as the land stands vulnerable to erosion, annual invasives, and particulate runoff into the Wychuss Creek, which is vital spawning grounds for Spring Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout. This is a unique opportunity to use the ranch as a grass bank to raise the bar for protecting these public lands.

As the ranch continues its efforts to secure long-term conservation outcomes, we are committed to finding ways to remain both environmentally and economically sustainable. One important step in this journey is enrolling the ranch in the Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) program, an initiative that operates at the intersection of healthy lands, thriving bird populations, and resilient rural economies. Through science-based grazing plans, habitat monitoring, and close collaboration with conservation professionals, ACR helps ensure that working lands continue to provide essential habitat for arid land birds. When producers meet these conservation standards, their beef earns the Audubon Certified bird-friendly seal, a trusted mark that connects conscientious consumers directly to conservation on the ground.

Beyond certification, the real strength of the ACR program lies in how it helps share the story of sustainable ranching and community stewardship. Certified ranches become living examples of how regenerative grazing supports both biodiversity and local livelihoods. Through field days, ACR ranches showcase how clean, locally raised beef can restore the native habitats, build soil health, and strengthen connections between people and the land. With the protection of a conservation easement, this ranch has the opportunity to not only safeguard vital habitat but also serve as a platform for demonstrating how conservation-minded ranching benefits birds, habitats, and communities alike. 

The Path to Protection

If the land base is secured, the Deschutes Land Trust will be able to place conservation easements on both Pitchfork T Ranch and Long Hollow Ranch. The easements ensure that the land is perpetually conserved.

The permanent protection of both ranches not only ensures future agricultural viability but also preserves incredible open space for the benefit of wildlife, water quality, and the community. The proceeds from the easement purchases will pay down the purchase price of the ranches. Since the land will be protected in perpetuity, donors towards the purchase of the property can spread their charitable tax deduction out over 15 years.

The Future We’re Building

Once protected, Pitchfork T and Long Hollow will become a living model for ecological ranching and community land stewardship. We envision:

• Research partnerships to build regenerative agriculture curriculum and host field-based education;
• Educational tours and workshops for students, farmers, and the community;
• Hands-on mentorship for emerging agricultural producers;
• A thriving ecosystem of soil, wildlife, and people, all supported by regenerative management. 

We will develop  curriculum and research programs based on the property. These programs will focus on regenerative agriculture, soil science, rangeland ecology, and centralized food systems, utilizing the ranch as a living laboratory for applied research, data collection, and field-based instruction. The establishment of academic programs at the site ensures that the property will serve not only as a working ranch but also as a long-term center for agricultural education and innovation in Central Oregon.

Long-term Management Plan: 

Upon successful completion of the purchase of the ranch, a nonprofit organization will operate and manage the ranch, including the herd of cattle as they graze the 740 deeded acres and 15,000 acres of allotted public lands. The management team will utilize the staff, resources, and infrastructure already in place on the ranch. The Oregon Agricultural Trust is providing the fiscal sponsorship and will be the initial holder of the fee title before transferring the land to the nonprofit. This creates a route to financial security, ensuring that the land will never need to be sold or purchased again. In addition to owning the land, the nonprofit will also create and run programming to deepen its mission. 

Together, we can ensure that these lands remain wild, working, and whole.

Contact:
Nellie McAdams, Executive Director, Oregon Agricultural Trust
nellie@oregonagtrust.org | 971-409-6806