Success story 1: The South Wasco Farmers Market

From a conversation about food to a market that now runs on its own

In 2020, South Wasco had little local food access and few places for nearby farmers to sell. At a March 2020 event in Maupin, SWA and the Columbia Gorge Food Bank brought farmers, neighbors, and partners together to talk about the problem. Out of that came a collective of seven specialty farmers and a pilot market at The Dalles Farmers’ Market. In 2022 the market moved to its permanent home in Tygh Valley, run by a volunteer Farmers Market Advisory Committee in partnership with SWA. In 2025 the Tygh School Community Center, a local 501(c)(3), took over operations. Today the market belongs to the community.

Success story 2: The Community Health Worker

A neighbor you can call, at no cost

For many South Wasco families, the nearest services are a long drive away. SWA and its partners worked to bring a local Community Health Worker to the area. The Community Health Worker helps residents find their way to health care and other support, and the service is free to people who live in South Wasco. In April 2025, community members met the Community Health Worker at meet-and-greets in Wamic, with sessions for children from birth to age 5, ages 6 to 11, and ages 12 to 18. Families who want help can use the Bridges to Health referral form.

Success story 3: CED-P, the power of a strong network

A network that put $395,000 behind South Wasco jobs and health

From October 2024 to September 2026, SWA led the Community Economic Development Planning project (CED-P). Working with more than a dozen partners, SWA aligned strategies on job creation, workforce development, and community health, with a focus on behavioral health, early learning and youth support, transportation, and a year-round recreation economy. The partners backed the work with $395,000 in documented in-kind contributions, and joint letters of support from nearly a dozen organizations helped SWA secure the 2026 grants that now fund its first Executive Director.