For the Hassinger family, conservation has always been part of their legacy, instilled by a father who valued good stewardship as deeply as good farming. When the long-troubled Elmer Dam became too costly, dangerous, and labor-intensive to maintain, the family turned to partners at Oregon's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for help. 

The dam’s outdated design, built without a functional fishway, required constant manual adjustments and created barriers for fish passage. What followed was a years-long effort marked by persistence, partnership, and problem-solving. Together, they rebuilt the dam in a way that supports the family’s farm, conserves water, improves efficiency and restores safe passage for fish. 

The project stands as a model of how collaborative conservation can honor a family legacy, strengthen a farm’s future and heal the landscape for generations.