Page 59 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2021

DUNN

RANCH

supporting nature and
connecting people with
agriculture

lynn leissler provided by dunn ranch

n land first settled by pioneers Mary
(Hill) and Patrick Dunn, Dylan
Owens and Ari Zaslow (both Ashland
Onatives) pioneer farming methods as
old as time, but newly revisited. The land, slated
for real estate development in the 1970s-80s, has
instead been preserved for agricultural use, and
the ranch owners are grateful to be part of keep-
ing it a special place. A statement on their website
reflects that sentiment: “At Dunn Ranch Center
for Food and Agriculture, we choose nature, dem-
onstrate regenerative farming and a food culture
that supports human and planet health, geared to
rebuild our food system.” They’re aware they are
dealing with significant issues and that they have
big problems to solve: effects of climate change,
a food supply chain that is too long, and a society
largely detached from nature. By confronting these
issues, they will make an impact and influence
change in the world that will be felt only a little
in their lifetime, but more significantly for genera-
tions to come.

Dunn Ranch’s objective is that their 322-acre loca-
tion become a leader in areas of climate change,
biodiversity, research projects, regenerative agri-
culture, and food production with high nutrition.
Regenerative agriculture doesn’t harm the land,
but improves it by using restorative technologies
that incorporate organic farming practices and lead
to healthy soil capable of producing high quality,
nutrient dense food. All this results in produc-
tive farms with carbon drawdown and improved
water cycle, as well as healthy communities and
economies.

Owens and Zaslow operate three farms in the val-
ley for pollination, but don’t sell their produce.
They eat some themselves, of course, and they
donate much to ACCESS. Mainly, they grow veg-
etables and save the seed. Some they sell on the
Internet, others they sell to larger seed companies.

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