RRRISE Catalyst Initiatives: Food, Fiber, and Farm

Working Lands and Blue Economy

Four transformative Catalyst initiatives are reshaping the Redwood Region's food, fiber, and farm systems through strategic collaboration, infrastructure development, and community empowerment. These projects address critical gaps in food and fiber production, processing, and distribution while strengthening regional agricultural resilience.

The North Coast Food System Network, led by the North Coast Growers' Association (NCGA), collaborates with various food system entities within the agriculture and fishing industries to advance the region's Working Lands and Blue Economy Industry Sector. This initiative increases connectivity and collaboration throughout the North Coast region through investments in infrastructure and capacity building for the regional food system. The Network creates funding pathways for community-led projects while supporting Redwood Region RISE's goals by developing value chains, conducting marketing campaigns, engaging the workforce, enhancing resilient adaptation, and building strategic partnerships and advocacy capacity.

Learn more about the North Coast Food System Network

The Fire Lines & Fiber Bioregions: A Regional Wool Facility project is a feasibility study led by Kaos Sheep Outfit, in collaboration with Fibershed and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. The study examines creating a Regional Wool Industry Cluster across Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties. Despite producing 57,000+ pounds of wool annually, the region lacks local processing infrastructure and workforce development. The project aims to establish sustainable supply chains from raw wool to finished products, assess market demand for value-added wool goods, and develop vocational training programs for contract grazing and regenerative land stewardship.

Explore the Fire Lines and Fiber Bioregions Project

The Hmong Meat Processing Facility, stewarded by the Hmong Association of Crescent City, addresses the critical processing gap created by Redwood Meat Company's closure. Once approved by the USDA, the facility will process cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry for local farmers currently facing 160-mile transportation challenges. Designed for culturally specific community needs, the facility will process approximately 160 animals monthly, create five full-time jobs, and include retail space while empowering marginalized Hmong and Latinx populations.

Explore the Hmong Meat Processing Facility Project

The Redwood Corridor SEEDS Network, managed by North Coast Opportunities in partnership with Tribal organizations and agricultural institutions, integrates Indigenous food sovereignty with infrastructure development. This initiative creates community-tailored food hubs along Highway 101, featuring commercial kitchens, processing equipment, and marketplace facilities. The network transforms food deserts into vibrant community centers while serving as emergency resource hubs, supporting small-scale producers, and restoring Indigenous stewardship practices.

Get to know the Redwood Corridor SEEDS Network

Together, these initiatives create comprehensive food systems transformation that strengthens regional self-sufficiency, supports local economies, and builds community resilience.

Key Outcomes

- Expanded regional market access and value chain infrastructure
- Enhanced food system entrepreneurship and business incubation
- Climate-friendly revenue streams and job creation