I have been posting a series of blogs the past two days about the Klamath Basin Water crisis.
Water is for Fighting, Part 1, Background
Water is for Fighting, Part 2, What’s Happening Now
And now, Part 3….from farmer and rancher Ty Kliewer.
My Ask
Our request is simple. We need funding so we still have upright farms and businesses in the basin next year. Like agriculture across the United States, trade wars have been painful here too, albeit the fight was worth picking and winning. Unlike everywhere else in Covid 19 America, our current potentially fatal peril has been brought upon us exclusively by our federal government. When I woke up this morning, May 10, I asked my wife to tell me I’ve just had a really bad dream. She instead reminded me Covid and water shortage is very real. In the long term, Reclamation must recognize that this project is different. The water here doesn’t belong to Reclamation or the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it belongs to the farmers that Reclamation brought here to build this community and help feed our nation.
There are two critical needs we ask of you and the Trump Administration. First, we need federal funding assistance to keep our farms and businesses upright so we can do business in the Klamath Basin next year. Second, we need the Administration to continue to work with Project irrigators and other affected parties to develop a long-term, science-based solution that properly addresses important tribal and fisheries needs and also recognizes the unique nature of this federal water project, which was developed solely to provide stored water for irrigation of local farm and ranch lands.
We have upheld our end of the bargain through generations of both strife and prosperity. It’s Reclamation’s turn to uphold theirs.
The idea for this blog series came from a simple phone call asking for help to get the word out about what is going on down in the Klamath Basin and their water crisis. I know what it’s like to be in the minority and not feel heard. I know what it’s like to have someone just say, “No you’re wrong because I said you’re wrong” and not have any chance to stand up to them. These farmers and ranchers deserve to be heard and they deserve to get what is rightfully their’s.
“It’s not rocket science – a new management paradigm is needed. The Klamath Basin is at another historic crossroads in its future. A hopeful vision is that increase knowledge, improved management, and cohesive community action will promote recover of the fishes. This outcome, which would be a great benefit to the Klamath Basin, could provide a model for the nation.” – Ty Kliewer
My personal ask is that if this speaks to you as an injustice, that you also share this story on your social media accounts, participate in the rally, support these farmers and ranchers. Because as you can see while you read through this series, it’s not just about one farm or one ranch; it’s about a whole community, a large area of our state that is being effected. The numbers below aren’t small or insignificant to our state and the health of our economy.
We need to stand together in this state to protect each other. Not just as farmers but as small town community members. I want to thank Ty Kliewer for taking the time to sit down to write how this is effecting his livelihood and having the courage to put his story out there for folks to see. It’s not easy to stand up, but the more we can get our stories heard the better off the future of Oregon agriculture will be! And hopefully the better off the next generation of farmers in the Klamath Basin will be as well.
Also one more reminder….The Tractor Rally is coming up tomorrow May 29th. You can also check out Shut Down & Fed Up to keep up to date on this a future events. Here is one of their recent posts, I think it really speaks to the mission of the farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin.
Farming is the ultimate profession of faith, strength, hope and humility.
In truth, we farm because everything that we were, everything that we are, and everything that we will become depends upon it.
We farm for the past:
▪️For those that gave their lives protecting our nation and its land.
▪️For those that believed in the American dream, and built a life from the ground up.
▪️For those that saw a land of opportunity when looking out over miles of fields and streams.
We farm for the present:
▪️For the thousands of acres that were planted and herds that were expanded, under the expectation that this year’s water would be delivered as promised.
▪️For the individuals and organizations dedicating every free (and working) moment to campaigning for our freedom to farm.
▪️For those praying that a lifetime of investing in their livelihood might make it one more day, one more month, one more year.
▪️For the thousands of individuals and businesses that make our farms and ranches successful, and rely on our commodities to support their families and our communities.
We farm for the future:
▪️For the children that dream of running the farm or ranch that their great-great-great-great grandparents took such pride in.
▪️For the parents around the world who pray that they might be able to put safe, affordable, readily-available food on their family’s table.
▪️For the promise that one day, we might all coexist peacefully and productively while respecting our crops, our cultures and our communities.
We farm for you.
#TakingaStandforAg #KeeptheBasinFarming #ACalltoUnity
Thank you!! 
NuttyGrass 