Background Information about Oregon Agriculture

(compiled and editorialized by Marcus Simantel, August 2006)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.     <!--[endif]-->Oregon Agriculture is Big

<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.     <!--[endif]-->Agriculture makes up over 10% of the state’s economic activity

<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.     <!--[endif]-->94% of Oregon’s farms are family owned – in contrast to most U.S. agriculture

<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.     <!--[endif]-->80% of Oregon’s farm production is shipped out of state, and nearly half of that is shipped internationally

<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.     <!--[endif]-->Oregon’s farmers produce over 225 different crops, only California and Florida have a more diversified agricultural industry

<!--[if !supportLists]-->e.     <!--[endif]-->Currently non-food crops are crucial for Oregon farm economic viability (nursery, grass seed, xmas trees, etc.)  This “land banking” could be a positive for future local food production.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->f.      <!--[endif]-->Probably 95+% of current Oregon agricultural production would be considered “industrial “ farming contrasted to less than 5% organic. ( In the larger picture of ag much of organic is also produced using “industrial” methods and is shipped long distances.)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->g.     <!--[endif]-->Farm direct marketing such as CSAs, farmstands, u-pick operations, farmers markets – is a small but growing segment of Oregon agriculture

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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.     <!--[endif]-->Some Things Already Being Done – that are related to our scope of work and are possible resources for us

<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.     <!--[endif]-->Tri-County Farm Fresh Produce Guide – a group of 60 – 70 local farmers that do direct marketing from their farms

<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.     <!--[endif]-->Portland Community Gardens -  currently  30 – trying to expand, overseen by Portland Parks and Recreation

<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.     <!--[endif]-->Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council – established in 2002 by city council and the county commission to advise on food issues such as land use/zoning, food access, institutional purchasing, etc.  It has done a lot of work that fits in with our scope of work.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.     <!--[endif]-->The Diggable City Project    Last year through the efforts of commissioner Saltzman and the Food Policy Council the city inventoried city owned properties that are under-utilized and that could be used for urban agricultural activities.  Over 200 sites were identified.  Three pilot projects are currently being pursued.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->e.     <!--[endif]-->Learning Garden Laboratory – SE 60^th; Zenger Farm – SE Foster Rd; Jean’s Farm – SE Johnson Creek Blvd; Try/On Life Community Farm – SW Boones Ferry Rd;   all are efforts to reconnect children and adults with where their food comes from.  These would be worth field trips for our group.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->f.      <!--[endif]-->Growing Gardens – an organization that teaches gardening, also has a school component

<!--[if !supportLists]-->g.     <!--[endif]-->ODA  The Oregon Dept. of Agriculture   will continue to be a key player in all aspects of our state’s food system from production, processing, marketing, and regulating.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->h.     <!--[endif]-->Oregon State University Extension Service – not currently very active in Multnomah County due to county budget woes, but has a wealth of resources  and programs such as Master Gardener Program, 4-H program, nutrition education, food preparation and preservation, etc.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->i.      <!--[endif]-->USDA   United States Dept of Ag   the elephant in the room, administers the farm bill – which is up for reauthorization in congress.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->j.      <!--[endif]-->Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development (OSD)   an obvious player in our work

<!--[if !supportLists]-->k.     <!--[endif]-->EcoTrust’s efforts

<!--[if !supportLists]-->l.      <!--[endif]-->The Chef’s Collaborative

<!--[if !supportLists]-->m.   <!--[endif]-->Slow Food Portland

<!--[if !supportLists]-->n.     <!--[endif]-->Peak Oil Portland

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o.     <!--[endif]-->Oregon Food Bank

<!--[if !supportLists]-->p.     <!--[endif]-->And many more local groups that concern themselves with food

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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.     <!--[endif]-->Some Land Use Items

<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.     <!--[endif]-->Senate Bill 100       Passed by the 1973 Oregon Legislature, SB 100 created Oregon’s statewide land use planning system.  The result is most of the best farmland in Oregon was protected from urban sprawl and development.  (Measure 37 now puts that protection in jeopardy.)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.     <!--[endif]-->The “Big Look”    The 2005 legislature passed SB 82 which says we need to take another look at our land use rules.  Food people, especially those with peak oil concerns, need to pay attention to this.  It is a three to four year project which just got under way this spring.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.     <!--[endif]-->The “New Look”     Metro, our regional government in charge of planning and transportation for the region, is taking a “New Look” at its planning policies.  Again, food people need to pay attention.  Dick Benner on our task force is very involved in this and is an excellent resource.

Food/Agriculture Sub Group Recommendations - DRAFT #4 - November 21, 2006

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I.    Educate     The city needs to take actions that will help all citizens understand what is at stake with peak oil… individual, institutions, businesses, agencies.

• Key stakeholders in the food system need education about peak oil and its impacts so they can make appropriate plans.
• The city needs to provide financial incentives or similar measures so that farmers, processors, grocery stores, restaurants, food relief agencies, the Port of Portland, etc. have a plan in place for peak oil impacts.

II.  Preserve Farmland     The city should take an active role in preserving the productive capacity of its foodshed.

• The city should encourage appropriate agencies to preserve existing farmland and protect productive soils for agricultural use.  It could include the creation of agricultural sanctuaries and conservancies as well as preventing the expansion of the urban growth boundary onto productive farmlands.
• The city should lobby to maintain and strengthen current farmland protections through the “New Look” process at Metro and the “Big Look” process at the state level.
• Where there is no natural “hard edge” available to protect farmland, uses compatible with adjacent farmland should be sought.
• The city should hold on to and preserve any land it already owns that would be suitable for urban agricultural uses such as lands identified by the Diggable City project.
• The city should direct more resources toward the Diggable City project, the community garden program, and other urban agriculture possibilities.
• The city should explore options to open up public and private land for food growing, e.g. financial incentives for leasing private land to the city for community gardens.

III.  Expand direct marketing opportunities for local farmers.  The city should examine and adjust regulations to help farmers sell directly to consumers through additional farmers markets, farmstands, CSAs, and a public market.

IV.  Strengthen current hunger relief and emergency agencies and systems.  The Oregon Food Bank has systems in place to provide food to low income citizens.  However this system is already stressed.

• The city should work with the Oregon Food Bank to develop plans to prepare for increased food demand from a higher percentage of the population.

• Working with ORVOAD and especially the Oregon Food Bank and Multnomah County, POEM should develop a comprehensive food plan to ensure that in case of a short-term or mid-term emergency, food supplies are adequate for Portland.
• The city should play a role in establishing major food warehousing in addition to current Oregon Food Bank and personal efforts.  If there is a major societal breakdown, where would Portlanders get food after supermarket shelves are empty? We see this as a risk management must do.

V.   Increase local food processing.    PDC should prioritize food processing as an economic cluster, including incentives to encourage development. <!--[endif]-->

VI.   Educate citizens about growing, processing, preserving, and preparing foods.

• The city should work with Multnomah County to reinstate the OSU Extension Service to help address an increased need to educate citizens about food growing, processing, preserving, cooking, and composting.
• The city should work with the State and Multnomah County to increase nutrition education.
• Schools need to include a comprehensive study of “peak oil” and its implications.  Schools need to teach more about nutrition, about where food comes from, how to grow, harvest, process, preserve and prepare foods, and how to compost food waste.

VII.  Increase composting.  The city should start planning for a local composting site.