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National Agriculture Week 2011, Oregon style
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3/9/2011
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Article Content ODA Director Coba urges Oregonians to thank a farmer
Oregonians are encouraged to celebrate National Agriculture Week by thanking a farmer or rancher for their contributions to the state's economy and their contributions to the family's dinner table. The special week, which takes place March 13-19 this year, is a salute to the more than two million agricultural operators in the US, and more than 38,000 Oregon producers. But one of the state's top agricultural leaders says the praise should come 365 days a year.
"Agriculture is not going away, and I believe it's going to become more and more important as an economic engine into the future," says Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Oregon agriculture's economic contribution is detailed in a recent Oregon State University report on the full impact of ag from the farm to the consumer, including production, processing, distribution, wholesale, retail, and food service. The report and other data show a dynamic economic activity:
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Oregon agriculture is directly and indirectly linked to about $22 billion in sales of goods and services in the state, which accounts for 15 percent of the statewide total of sales involving all industry sectors
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Oregon agriculture directly or indirectly supports nearly 261,000 full or part-time jobs, making up 12 percent of total jobs in the state
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Oregon agriculture has generally been a constant and stable economic engine, increasing in production value 21 of the past 24 years, with more than a thousand Oregon farms having been operated by the same families for at least a century
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On average, each farmer and rancher produces enough food and fiber for approximately 144 people compared to only 26 people 50 years ago
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Thanks to the production of high-quality, low cost foods grown by Oregon farmers and those nationwide, consumers spend a little more than nine percent of their disposable income on food- a percentage much lower than other countries.
"This is a time for us all to thank farmers and ranchers for what they produce, but I also challenge Oregonians to take the opportunity to get to know agriculture better," says Coba.
One good way for consumers to learn about agriculture is to participate in the upcoming farmers' market season where shoppers can visit face-to-face with the local people who grow the food.
"It's not just the grocery store experience of pushing your shopping cart down the aisle, grabbing the product, and going to the checkout stand," says Coba. "You can see the interaction between consumers and the farmer. It has really become a lot of what Oregon agriculture is all about."
Another target of agricultural education is the vast number of young people contemplating a career but probably not considering agriculture.
"There are a lot of steps that go into getting a product from the farm to the fork," says Coba. "There is the growing and harvesting, but also management, research, marketing, transportation, and finance. Marketing itself can be local, domestic, and getting the product into the international marketplace. There are so many career opportunities in the field of agriculture for young people- more than just being a farmer or rancher, although we will always welcome young people into production agriculture."
Agriculture in the Classroom is one of the more successful efforts to introduce kids to farming and ranching. Next month, the annual Ag Fest will attract thousands of students from around the state and give them hands-on experiences with agriculture.
"We are seeing inroads into ag education from a variety of venues," says Coba. "There is more and more interest from teachers and students wanting to take advantage of the curriculum. Part of it is being driven by a consciousness of diet and nutrition, which is being promoted through farm to school and school garden programs. Oregon agriculture can provide an opportunity to educate students about the value of nutritious food."
Every farmer and rancher has a story to tell, and the public wants to hear those stories. It seems there is a great deal of common ground between those who are in agriculture and those who are not.
"Oregonians recognize that agriculture is amazing- we know it because of the public opinion polls that have been done," says Coba. "Oregonians support their farmers and ranchers. They want to keep them in business. They want this part of Oregon's culture and lifestyle to remain viable. We need their help to do that."
The immediate call to action for Oregonians involves purchasing local products, not just during the special week, but 365 days a year. That can be at the farmers' market, the neighborhood grocery store, or a favorite restaurant. Local agriculture is not confined to fresh seasonal produce. Locally grown foods are often processed or used as ingredients for other products. With more than 220 different commodities produced in Oregon, the state's agricultural diversity is far greater than most states.
ODA's director also acknowledges the economy has been challenging the past couple of years for all Oregonians. Farmers and ranchers are no exception. But she hopes everyone will appreciate the efforts of the agriculture industry to keep providing for the state's residents despite tight times.
"One thing that jumps out to me during National Agriculture Week is Oregon agriculture's resiliency," says Coba. "It has been a difficult economy for everyone, but our producers have done a great job managing through these challenging times and I think we're coming out of the toughest part."
Hopefully, those in agriculture will not only continue providing food and fiber for all of us, they will provide leadership and an example of how hard work and perseverence can aid the state's economic recovery.
For more information, contact Bruce Pokarney at (503) 986-4559.
Story of the Week pdf version
http://oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/110309agweek.pdf
Audio Story of the Week
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/110309agweek_audio.shtml
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