People Who CollaborateRob Frank's path to becoming a Harney County Commissioner winds through classrooms, ranches, community boards and a saddle shop—a journey that has given him a unique perspective on what it means to serve rural Oregon.
Born and raised in Lake County, Rob has always had an affinity for the Great Basin. After high school, he pursued his goal of becoming an agriculture teacher, eventually landing at Crane Union Schools where he taught ag for five years. It was during this time that he met his wife Kellie, who moved to Crane after they were married and began working for the Farm Service Agency (FSA). When the demands of running a single-teacher ag program began conflicting with time for family, Rob made a career shift that would define the next chapter of his life. READ MORE.
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Reflections & HopesAs 2025 came to an end we marveled at the enduring power of collaboration in Harney County. Almost 19 years into this journey, we're reminded that our greatest asset has always been the same: people willing to work together.
As we look toward 2026, we remain committed to our core mission: supporting the collaboratives that are shaping Harney County's future. We'll continue doing everything possible to keep people working together, building on the hard-won lessons and proven methods that have brought us this far.
We invite you to explore our 2025 Year-in-Review magazine to see what we've accomplished together, read expressions of gratitude from across our community, and discover our hopes for the year ahead.
Thank you for being part of this ongoing story of collaboration on the Oregon frontier.
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Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative 2025 HighlightsThe Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative experienced a dynamic and productive 2025, responding to both challenges and opportunities across the basin. Following severe spring flooding, the collaborative established an Emergency Flood Infrastructure Restoration Project that funded 31 projects to repair damaged culverts, roads, and dikes for landowners throughout the region. While the flooding created difficulties for residents, it also expanded Malheur Lake from 39,119 to 66,539 acres, providing valuable habitat for migratory birds.
Throughout the year, the collaborative hosted University of Oregon graduate Sarah Weber's research on the Donner und Blitzen River, received the long-awaited Intermountain West Joint Venture Conservation Partnership Award, continued the Water Conveyance and Dispersal Management Program, conducted summer site visits to working ranches and the refuge, and screened "The Harney Way" documentary at the Desert Historic Theatre.
Despite challenges from flooding and government furloughs, partners demonstrated resilience by stepping in to keep projects moving forward, with ongoing work including Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board-funded projects to reduce invasive species, replace infrastructure, and support wetland habitat. READ MORE.
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Entrepreneurship in HarneyRecently, Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Coordinator Anna Gahley and Harney County Food Systems Coordinator Kellie Frank wrapped facilitation of a local CO.STARTERS course—celebrating seven new entrepreneurs ready to bring their ideas to life in Harney County.
From landscaping services to a new frozen yogurt shop, these businesses reflect the creativity, grit, and momentum growing across our community. Several participants have already launched, and one is actively pursuing funding through Kiva Oregon—a huge milestone.
CO.STARTERS is built on a simple but powerful idea: you don’t need all the answers to start—you need the right steps, in the right order. Paired with FINSYNC, the program helps entrepreneurs move beyond planning and into action, with real tools, real connections, and real pathways to capital.
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New Osprey Platform at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
From Friends of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a good news story.
On December 16, an Osprey platform was successfully installed at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
What came next, refuge staff straightened and secured the pole with over 1,000 pounds of concrete. Burns High School students in Shawn Horrell's Woods 2 class built the platform using plans provided by Idaho Power and supplies from Parr Lumber. Harney County Electric Cooperative provided the bucket trucks and expertise to lift the 40-foot structure into place. And the students who built the platform were on-site to watch their craftsmanship rise into the sky. "Everyone worked really hard to make the platform," one student reflected. Another shared that he learned how platforms like this one "give them a start—a place to build a nest and a home."
Phase one complete with the platform raised, phase two is already underway: installing a solar-powered camera to live stream the nesting activities of this osprey pair. READ MORE
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THIS IS HARNEYThis is Harney County—authentic, and ready to be discovered.
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2026 Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 13| Harney County Wildfire Collaborative Meeting
Monday, January 26| High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 27 | Youth Changing the Community Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, January 28 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, January 28 | Harney County Forest Restoration Collaborative Meeting
Saturday, February 14 | Happy 19th Anniversary High Desert Partnership
Monday, February 23 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 25 | Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative Meeting
Wednesday, February 25 | Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative Meeting
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