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

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[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

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[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.