The Hockinson Main Street Team is excited
to introduce the Hockinson Homegrown Highway.

The Hockinson Homegrown Highway is a farm map similar to the popular “Fruit Loop” of Hood River, Oregon. “Our area has an amazing diversity of agricultural-based businesses and the ‘H3’ is a way to link them together to showcase all that they offer,” said Kelsey Chappelle, member of the Hockinson Main Street Team (HMST).

Chappelle hopes the map attracts people to “take a drive out to the country to discover crafts, purchase fresh produce, and even stop to sample a local craft beer at the Hockinson Market.”

The map was a team effort. After reviewing 2020 Census data, Steve Marshall, Superintendent of the Hockinson School District, shared with the HMST that the community contained hundreds of small, home-based businesses. As a rural area, these businesses were often obscured or known only to locals. The HMST, whose mission is to promote community connectedness and local commerce, decided to increase the exposure of these businesses by consolidating them into a common entity.

“Our hope is that people remember the Homegrown Highway and when they come to visit one of the Highway’s businesses they continue on and explore others,” said Marshall.

Other members of the team rallied around the idea. Justin VanNatta, from the Hockinson Market used his graphic design skills to create the roadmap and shared a few with customers. “The response was really positive,” said VanNatta. “My initial supply of maps was all gone within a couple of hours and people who heard about it were asking for a copy of their own.”

VanNatta has since created a stockpile of additional maps, but the map can also be printed from home via HMST’s website.

Local residents and visitors are invited to take the Hockinson Homegrown Highway and see where it takes them. This invitation comes with two caveats. The HMST wants patrons to know that the “highway” is actually two-lane country roads and encourages safe speeds and caution. Organizers also want to prepare visitors that not all businesses operate on a 7-day-a-week or full day schedule. “Hours of operation vary so we advise everyone to check the map for business hours prior to hitting the highway,” advised Chapelle.