Current Programs
'Empowering a Resilient Community'
Ensuring local food feeds local families & local dollars support local farmers
Discover how O'Hara programs build a stronger local food system - and how your support makes this vital work possible.
Wednesday Farmers Market
The Vision: O'Hara's flagship program is the Wednesday Farmers Market. This mid-week farmers market runs fduring the summer months, under the canopy of trees on O'Hara's grounds. We provide live music and have a rotation of food trucks.
The Impact: Providing a reliable revenue stream for over 12 local food producers and growers, the market also provides access to local food over 5,000 community members and summertime visitors. O'Hara offers two street fairs per summer, inviting local artists and makers.
Ways to Support:
• Donate to Market Operations
• Become a Farmers Market Sponsor
• Visit the market and directly support local agriculture June - September
• Become a Sustaining Patron
Winter Farmers Market
The Vision: A strong agricultural community cannot afford to shut down for the winter months. O'Hara's Winter Farmers Market provides a full local food grocery shopping experience (including fresh greens through the winter) for community members. Local growers and food producers have the opportunity to expand their season. Collectively these these activities result in a larger economic footprint due to the increased retention of local food spending.
The Impact: The economic impact of this program to date is over $1 million in economic activity in Ravalli County. O'Hara could not run this program without our dedicated volunteers.
Ways to Support:
• Donate to Market Operations
• Become a Volunteer
• Shop the online market October - May
• Become a Sustaining Patron
Food Hub & Distribution Network
The Vision: We are building a local supply chain from Missoula to Salmon, Idaho. Developing distribution routes will ensure our region's harvest reaches tables that need it. This work includes a food box program for neighbors incapable of attending farmers markets.
The Impact: A dual-impact supply chain strengthens our rural economy by expanding markets for hardworking farmers and producers while insuring direct-to-consumer access to healthy food for all community members. Additionally, O'Hara backhauls product from Salmon, strengthening the regional food system.
Ways to Support:
• Donate to General Fund
• Subscribe to Summer Local Food Box Program (opening in May, 2026)
• Sign up for newsletters for notifications
• Become a Sustaining Patron
Old Blue Moon Orchard Program
The Vision: Through a partnership with local property owners, O'Hara has been able to preserve an at risk 5 acre, 500 mixed fruit tree orchard. We have a simple formula: A-Grade fruit feeds people. B-Grade is donated to food access programs. C-Grade goes to livestock and composting programs
The Impact: In conjunction with preserving agricultural land and feeding the community, the orchard serves as an outdoor classroom for small orchard management classes through O'Hara Commons Outreach & Education programs
Ways to Support:
• Donate to the Old Blue Moon Orchard Program
• Register for a class
• Visit the Wednesday Farmers Market to purchase fruit in summer months
• Become a Sustaining Patron
Family Food Box Program
The Vision: Working with Montana Department of Agriculture and Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, O'Hara managed the distribution of the Local Food Purchase Program. We purchased food at market value from growers and distributed to underserved community members. After two years, the fund lapsed. The need did not.
The Family Food Box Program rose from the ashes. We are grateful for Winter Kissed Farm and other partners who have helped fund the continuation of this small but mighty food access program.
The Impact: Families continue to have access to the most local and healthy food. They number of families are directly related to your support. Our goal is to purchase food at fair market value, but growers have supported this program with donations.
Ways to Support:
• Donate to the Family Food Box Program
• Become a Sustaining Patron
SNAP/Double SNAP Dollars
The Vision: Healthy food should be accessible to everyone. In partnership with the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Farm Connect, O'Hara is able to accept food assistance dollars and match up to $30 in fruits and vegetables. The funds go in full to local food growers and producers.
O'Hara Commons does not receive any funding to administer this program, it is part of our community service.
The Impact: There is a significant increase in access to local food for underserved community members. The food made available through this program is the healthiest and most nutritious. Additionally, our local farmers receive fair, full compensation. Again, this is a very effective manner to strengthen local economy through keeping food spending circulating ii Ravalli County.
Ways to Support:
• Donate to O'Hara General Fund
• Use your SNAP benefits at Farmers Markets
• Become a Sustaining Patron
Outreach & Education
The Vision:
A truly resilient local food system means that everyone has the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to grow and prepare their own healthy food. Through our dedicated education and outreach initiatives, we connect our community directly to the hands-on learning pro grams offered by O'Hara and our local partners.
The Impact:
We empower our neighbors to become participants in their food supply. Beyond the garden, this vital outreach fosters a deep connection to the unique natural resources that make local agriculture possible. By championing clean air, pure water, healthy soils, and thriving pollinator populations, we proudly equip our entire community to steward the land for furture generations.
Ways to Support:
• Donate to O'Hara General Fund
• Become a Sustaining Patron
Tour de Farm
New in 2026!
The Tour de Farms Bike Ride invites locals and visitors to our community to experience local agriculture up close—pedaling through the Bitterroot valley, visiting farms, and celebrating the people who grow and produce local food.
The 35-mile route features 5–6 farm stops, beginning and ending on O’Hara grounds in downtown Hamilton. Riders will travel a mix of paved and gravel roads with approximately 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
At each farm stop, participants will enjoy local food and beverages, and the ride concludes with a buffet-style dinner at O’Hara—families and friends of riders are welcome.
Remember, your ticket and merchandise purchases are part of a critical fundraising effort and an investment in preserving the Bitterroot Valley's agricultural traditions and food system.
Register HERE