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| The economic footprint of Oregon agriculture |
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By Bruce Pokarney
Relevance and reassurance. Two simple words come to mind following the completion of a study by Oregon State University on the total contribution of agriculture to Oregon's economy. For a number of urban folks who have been separated from the farm for several generations, there is always an unstated question of whether farming and ranching is still relevant in Oregon. For the agricultural producers who work the land year after year, there is often a question of whether the pursuit is still worthwhile.
The answer to both questions-according to the OSU study-is yes.
The key numbers are 25.8 billion, 10.6 percent, 214,511 and 10.1 percent. Those four figures should be enough to convince all Oregonians that agriculture is a foundational industry for the state's economy. Agriculture's economic footprint is wide and deep.
By the numbers
The OSU report, Oregon Agriculture and the Economy, was funded by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the data evaluated by the OSU Extension Service. It was the first study completed since 2000 that assesses agriculture's economic ripple effect across the state. The report finds that the industry is directly and indirectly linked to $25.8 billion in sales of goods and services, accounting for 10.6 percent of the statewide total. Oregon agriculture also directly or indirectly supports 214,511 full or part-time jobs, which accounts for 10.1 percent of the state's labor force.
The report shows an industry that is increasing in economic strength.
"For years, we've been saying one in 12 jobs is related to agriculture-now it is close to one in every 10 jobs," says Brent Searle, ODA analyst, who was among those reviewing and assisting with the report. "Now, nearly one of every 10 dollars in the state is created or circulated because of agriculture."
The report follows the economic footprint of agricultural products as they travel from farm to consumer, calculating how much money is made by producing, processing, transporting, storing, and selling commodities. The report even captures the money spent by agricultural employees, since that economic activity would not have taken place if there were no agricultural jobs in the first place. The multiplier effect gives a much clearer picture of how valuable the ag industry is to all of Oregon.
Characterizing the overall numbers, ODA Director Katy Coba says the economic reach of agriculture is a lot greater than Oregonians might suspect.
"Agriculture is more than just farming. This study once again strongly validates that agriculture remains a significant leading economic engine in Oregon. While other sectors of the economy may be struggling, agriculture is adding to our job base, our trade balance, our quality of life, our stewardship of resources, and the high quality products we enjoy locally. We need to keep ag lands viable for producers and our state. This report supports the need for policies and resources to match the importance of the industry."
Behind the numbers is the full story of Oregon agriculture's breadth and scope.
The farm, the farmer, the product
The very first sentence in the OSU report makes it clear that this isn't your grandfather's farming operation anymore: "Agriculture in Oregon is changing rapidly."
Growth in population is creating a great demand on Oregon's natural resource base to produce more with less. Over the last decade the state has lost nearly a half million acres of farmland, primarily due to development, from 17.6 million to 17.1 million acres,. This requires agriculture to be more efficient and produce higher yields, often with fewer inputs. Research, technology, and adaptation are critical. Increasing value and production on less land demonstrates the productivity gains in the industry.
The farm profile in Oregon has shifted. The state has roughly 39,000 farms and ranches with an average size of 435 acres.
"While Oregon has seen a decline in the number of farms, like the rest of the nation, Oregon agricultural producers have been very creative, which has allowed them to slow, and in many cases, reverse that trend," wrote economist Bruce Sorte in the OSU report.
The number of farming operations annually grossing $10,000 or less had been on the increase in Oregon between 1995 and 2000. That trend has been reversed. The mid-size and larger farms that contribute to a greater percentage of what is considered commercial agriculture have stabilized in number and have increased productivity.
"That's telling me that a lot of hobby farms are facing economic pressures," says ODA's Searle. "Those operators got into farming for the lifestyle and a lot of them are located near the urban fringe. As the urban growth boundary expands and there are other pressures surrounding those farms, the owners sell out. The farm is not their job or livelihood, it has been more of an avocation or a hobby. The stabilization of the medium and larger farms, which produce 98 percent of Oregon's agricultural output, speaks to better a economic time for most producers."
The report examines the type of agricultural activity taking place on the farm. Some people may be surprised to learn that more than a third of all farms are cattle operations. Cattle and other livestock collectively account for nearly 70 percent of Oregon's farm acreage compared to just 1.5 percent of the acreage dedicated to greenhouse and nursery production-Oregon's number one commodity in terms of production value. Add the impact of commodities associated with livestock-hay, for instance-and it is easy to see that Oregon animal industries are probably economically under-recognized. If the value of cattle, dairy, and other livestock are combined with feed production, it becomes the overall largest value of agriculture in the state.
Finally, there is a category listed as "other," which groups such items as small woodlands, hybrid poplars, fee hunting and recreation, and assorted miscellaneous money-making activities on the Oregon farm.
"This category collectively is actually second to greenhouse and nursery in value," says Searle. "A significant portion of farm income can be found in these specialty areas that people don't often think about."
On-farm employment in Oregon is also a significant contributor to the state's economy. Agriculture's 66,367 full and part-time jobs add to the impact. Overall, payroll, approaching $900 million, continues to be the biggest expense for producers in Oregon. Dollars paid to workers most often circulate within the local economy-again, stimulating economic activity.
Due process and supporting actors
The OSU study assigns a significant value to the next step in the agricultural life cycle-the processing industry. Four sectors make up more than half of Oregon's processing output. They include frozen food manufacturing, dairy, fruit and vegetable canning and drying, and baked goods. Led by the prolific processing of French fries, frozen food manufacturing is responsible for $1.7 billion in sales and 6,421 full and part-time jobs. Dairy processing accounts for $1.2 billion in sales, fruit and vegetable canning and drying $1.1 billion in sales, and bakery goods $840 million, and 4,601 jobs. Other significant processing industries include meat processing along with breweries, wineries, and distilleries. The total figures come to $9.6 billion in sales, 29,420 jobs, and $1.9 billion in added value through processing. Any way you slice it or dice it, the economic impact of agricultural processing is significant in Oregon.
There is also a great deal of economic activity that takes place simply because there is agricultural production and processing in the first place. Four major sectors identified in the report "provide specialized services, an extensive distribution and marketing network, and multiple modes of transportation to get agriculture products to markets." The sectors are listed as agricultural support services, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade.
The end result is more than most Oregonians would ever imagine.
"The depth and scope of the industry is greater than what people see when they drive by a farm along the highway," says Searle. "Behind the scenes is all this other activity that is significant and employs a large number of people that wouldn't be nearly what it is without agricultural production. Obviously, if Oregon had no agricultural production, we would still import food that would result in retail sales, but the value of those sales would be leaving the state and we would be shipping our dollars out of Oregon. The dollars we keep in Oregon are critical and, because we export so much of our agriculture, the new dollars we bring into the state are extremely important in creating more wealth."
From the farmers and farm employees to the retailers and grocery clerks, the ripples created by agriculture in Oregon are creating daily waves of economic activity.
Keep agriculture viable
It is not intended for the OSU report to gather dust while sitting on a shelf in some academic's office. The benchmark study should convince policy makers what is generally good for agriculture is good for the Oregon economy.
OSU's Sorte indicates in the report that government, at all levels throughout the state, can help agriculture maintain its importance "by creating public policies that encourage cooperation among natural resource users, the purchasing of inputs locally, and the differentiation of products so they achieve a premium in the marketplace. Implementing this course of action in Oregon could further increase agriculture's economic impacts and provide critical job opportunities for people who are being left out of the new economy."
From an ODA perspective, Searle echoes the value of the study and its report.
"This clearly shows agriculture is still relevant and significant. All that economic value initially created by farming and ranching wouldn't exist in Oregon if we didn't have a viable land base, a viable infrastructure, supportive government policies, marketing efforts, and all those things that link together to contribute to this great economic asset. That's a message the public and policy makers need to hear."
And at the end of the day, the one-in-10 Oregonians who have a job connected to agriculture should feel good about their contribution to the state's economy.
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| Director's column |
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National Agriculture Week 2008 prompted me to think about some key messages for Oregonians who may not know much about the industry. There is plenty to say about agriculture, most of it good. This is just a fascinating time for the industry. We are seeing many commodity prices at an all-time high, we are seeing record exports, and we are seeing a lot of consumer attention paid to where our food comes from.
First, American agriculture is recording more production on less acreage. Farmers are as good as anyone at taking advantage of research, development, innovation, and technology. We see that turning up in terms of higher yields per acre. We are also seeing the use of pesticides flattening. Producers realize you don't have to increase use of pesticides to get increased yields. So we're seeing an environmental consciousness of farmers. They realize that if they are going to get the most out of their land, they have got to take care of their land. We are seeing it all throughout the United States and certainly in Oregon.
Agricultural export numbers are incredible with record highs for the US and Oregon. The low dollar value contributes to that because US products are now cheaper to buy. But with so much of Oregon agriculture going overseas, that trend has been good for our state's economy. We are also seeing increased interest by Oregon consumers to buy local Oregon products. So right now, agriculture is enjoying the best of both worlds-strong export and domestic or local sales.
The overall economic impact of agriculture in Oregon is increasingly clear and is detailed in the cover story of this Agriculture Quarterly. But so much success relies on those people who are not involved in agriculture. Those are the people who will help shape the future of this great industry.
There are a couple of recommendations I have for Oregonians when it comes to supporting agriculture. I always encourage consumers to buy local and when they are in their grocery store, to ask for local products. The next thing I would like consumers to do is take the opportunity to understand a little bit more about how agriculture works. We are farther removed from the farm than the generations before us. We now have people who will walk into a store and say, you mean milk comes from a cow? That happens in this day and age. I encourage every consumer to take the extra step and learn something about agriculture and agricultural production.
Agriculture is an industry without walls. It can be noisy, it can be dusty, it can happen at early hours of the morning. In order for consumers to enjoy the wonderful products farmers and ranchers produce, consumers need to understand the work that goes into the process.
National Agriculture Week should be a year long awareness. It's nice to have the celebration in the spring. Things are greening, flowers are starting to bloom, crops are beginning to emerge from the ground, we are seeing young lambs and calves. But each season, agriculture brings something special. Consumers appreciate the seasons of agriculture more than perhaps they have in the past. Urban consumers love to go the farmers' markets spring, summer, and fall. We have wonderful harvest celebrations throughout the year where all types of Oregonians participate. I think people really do appreciate agriculture. I just challenge them to better understand what it takes to produce crops and livestock.
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| Oregon counties continue to rely on agriculture |
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Thirty-one of Oregon's 36 counties reported an increase in agricultural sales last year according to preliminary statistics released by Oregon State University. Many counties reported dramatic growth in 2007 buoyed by high prices and good yields. The latest figures continue to emphasize the importance of agriculture to both the local and state economy.
Oregon's total agricultural sales total for 2007 is up more than 10 percent at nearly $4.9 billion with 11 counties recording double digit increases this past year.
Once again, the diversity of agriculture in Oregon resulted in winners and losers among various commodities. The mixed bag of results has changed the rank order of counties more than usual when it comes to 2007 gross farm and ranch sales. Still, the top ten list contains the same names:
| 1 | Marion County
| $614.7 million | | 2 | Clackamas County
| $409.9 million | | 3 | Umatilla County
| $358.4 million | | 4 | Washington County
| $351.3 million | | 5 | Morrow County
| $322.3 million | | 6 | Klamath County
| $298.3 million | | 7 | Yamhill County
| $296.1 million | | 8 | Linn County
| $295.0 million | | 9 | Malheur County
| $261.2 million | | 10 | Polk County
| $160.0 million |
For the first time in recent memory, two of the top five counties are east of the Cascades. All top ten counties saw increases in agricultural sales. Klamath (·45 percent), Morrow (·29 percent), and Umatilla (·23 percent) had tremendous years. Polk and Washington (both ·9 percent) saw healthy sales increases followed by Yamhill (·7 percent), Marion (·5 percent), Malheur (·4 percent), Linn (·4 percent), and Clackamas (·3 percent).
Klamath County can attribute its meteoric rise to the price paid for some key commodities, including hay, cattle, and dairy products. Morrow County saw nearly a 100 percent increase in the value of wheat sold in 2007 because of a big rise in prices. Corn for grain enjoyed higher prices and a dramatic increase in acreage. Potato prices and acreage jumped. Cattle and dairy also showed an increase this past year. Umatilla County rode the wave of historic prices for wheat and also saw a tremendous increase in corn for grain acreage. Apples, sweet cherries, and wine grapes in the Milton-Freewater area showed strong increases.
Counties in the Willamette Valley may not have seen the huge overall rise in agricultural sales last year of their Eastern Oregon counterparts, but still had solid years. The state's number one agricultural commodity-greenhouse and nursery products-continued to do well, which boosted the economies of Marion, Clackamas, Washington, and Yamhill counties. Marion County, which remains Oregon's only county with more than a half billion dollars in agricultural sales-saw a relatively modest increase from 2006, but that still represents an increase of more than $29 million. It can still be said that five of the top eight agricultural counties in Oregon are within an hour's drive of Portland or Eugene-the state's two largest cities.
On the negative side, only five counties recorded a decrease in agricultural sales in 2007, and all of the drops were relatively modest. The largest decline was recorded by Josephine County (‚5 percent) followed by Deschutes (‚4 percent), Clatsop and Lincoln (both ‚2 percent), and Crook (‚1 percent). One potential reason for the decrease in agricultural sales could be a loss in farm acreage caused by development. Josephine, Deschutes, and Crook counties have all seen population growth which appears to correspond to less agricultural production.
While the $4.9 billion and 10 percent increase in agricultural sales last year was impressive, many analysts expect the 2008 county statistics to be even stronger as prices paid for grains and other commodities have increased even more over the first few months of this year. The statistics are always tempered with the increasing costs associated with agricultural production today. Still, the latest statistics continue to show that agriculture is a leading contributor to the state's overall economy.
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| Board of Agriculture Q&A |
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The Ag Quarterly recently asked Board of Agriculture members to respond to a series of questions about key ag issues and how the Board can help:
Q: What do you see as the most important issue that the Board of Agriculture will face in 2008?
Bernie Faber: Labor and energy. Our industry really needs to somehow deal with the cost of energy. It is just about ready to put us into a negative cash flow.
Ken Bailey: The availability of a legal workforce for Oregon agriculture is probably the most important issue closely followed by the rapid rise of production costs.
Bob Levy: The issue of sustainability and what it means to agriculture. Also important is the availability of an adequate legal labor force, and an adequate supply of water for current agricultural production and for economic growth.
Pat Dudley: The need for an adequate, legal workforce.
Dan Carver: The continued industrialization of the food chain as consumers scream for local and sustainable products.
Jan Kerns: The cost/price squeeze of our agriculture’s inputs is going to have a huge impact on the survivability of the big cross-section of Oregon agriculture.
Q: What is the best way for the Board of Agriculture to help the industry right now?
Faber: The simplest answer is to just listen to the industry and do our best to respond.
Bailey: The best way to help the industry is to facilitate the efforts of the industry in addressing its needs. This includes educating public officials, the media, and the general public of the important role agriculture plays in the economic, environmental, and social values of Oregon.
Levy: Continue to develop meeting agendas that focus on issues in agriculture, and accept testimony from various commodity groups and individuals so that issues and problems can come into public view.
Dudley: Foster communication and cooperation among all sectors of the ag industry to find a solution to the need for a legal workforce.
Carver: Continue to support local and sustainable concepts such as farmers’ markets, farm-to-school, farm-to-chef, etc. We need to help break down some of the barriers that industrialization has created.
Kerns: The Board’s biggest influence can be in urging control of the regulatory burden as we try to deal with unstable costs and markets.
Q: What are the Board of Agriculture’s greatest strengths at this time?
Faber: The makeup of the Board, and the willingness and ability of board members to try and respond to industry’s needs.
Bailey: The diversity of the members and the commitment of each member to achieve a better Oregon through a prosperous Oregon agriculture.
Levy: Strength is in the agenda of the meetings and the credibility the Board has with the legislature through the leadership of ODA Director Katy Coba.
Dudley: Board members are from diverse sectors of Oregon agriculture who are willing to listen to many points of view and think long-term and outside the box.
Carver: The Board’s strength is in the quality of its members.
Kerns: The Board’s diversity of people and representation of the industry.
Q: Where does the Board of Agriculture need the most improvement?
Faber: We still can improve on our relationship with the legislature. We’ve made some good headway, but there are probably not enough legislators out there who know us and view us as the voice of agriculture.
Bailey: More resources could greatly expand what the Board could do. There are several areas where additional staff positions at ODA could increase the ability to provide more services to the industry, including water quality, sustainability, and land use among others.
Levy: We need to continue to focus on getting input from various groups on how we can become more relevant to Oregon agriculture, and what issues the board should focus on.
Dudley: Just give us more hours in the day to work on the big issues.
Carver: We need to continue telling all Oregonians how important agriculture is for the economy and our quality of life.
Kerns: I’m not sure much can be improved—just continue the open and honest exchange of ideas and opinions.
Q: In one word, describe your experience so far as a member of the Board of Agriculture.
Faber: Rewarding.
Bailey: Impressive.
Levy: Enlightening.
Dudley: Mind-expanding.
Carver: Unrecognized.
Kerns: Eye-opening.
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| Plant a seed for your future with the 2007 Census of Agriculture |
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With planting season just around the corner, Oregon farmers and ranchers still have a chance to sow a seed for their future by standing up and being counted in the 2007 Census of Agriculture.
"We sincerely appreciate the dedication and effort of the many farmers and ranchers who have responded," said Chris Mertz, director of the US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Oregon Field Office. "But for those whom we have not yet heard from, there is good news - there is still time to be counted. So before you jump back on that tractor, take a moment to complete and return your Census."
"By responding to the Census, Oregon's agricultural producers are sowing seeds that will reap benefits far into the future," Mertz said. "That's why we are committed to ensuring that every farm and ranch operation in the United States is counted."
NASS recently mailed a second copy of the Census to those who have not yet responded. "And as we move into spring, we'll be following up with additional mailings and phone calls in order to ensure that no one is left out," Mertz added
Producers can return their Census forms by mail or, for the first time, they have the convenient option of responding online. For more information, or for assistance with completing the 2007 Census of Agriculture, call toll-free (888) 424-7828 or visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov.
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| Annual ryegrass straw-a biofuel of the future? |
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In a modern day version of Rumpelstiltskin, Willamette Valley grass seed growers may end up spinning straw into something that is becoming nearly as precious as gold-biofuel. A feasibility study that brings together a wide variety of partners and expertise is the first step to a project that may potentially reduce the need to conduct field burning in part of the valley.
To help get things started, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, backed by the Oregon Seed Council and Oregon State University researchers, approved a $250,000 grant from the Alternatives to Field Burning Research Program to Lane County. The money will pay for a study that, among its research elements, focuses on the feasibility of using the waste straw left after harvesting annual ryegrass for the production of cellulosic ethanol.
"Our grass seed industry has come a long way in trying to find ways to reduce field burning," said ODA Director Katy Coba. "Finding value in what has been considered a waste product like grass straw is a good way to achieve a solution in which everybody wins. That has worked before with other grass species grown in Oregon, hopefully it can happen again."
Unlike the straw from other grass species-primarily fescue-that is often pelletized and exported to Asia as cattle feed, annual ryegrass has no nutritional value. However, it may have value as a feedstock for biofuel production. With rising oil prices and continued concern over field burning smoke, the grass seed industry wants to add value to waste annual ryegrass straw. The best case scenario for the outcome of the Lane County study would show economic feasibility to pursue turning the straw into fuel.
"There are about 130,000 acres of annual ryegrass primarily grown in the South Willamette Valley and a good portion of that is burned after harvest," said John Byers, ODA's Smoke Management Program manager. "If we were able to take the straw from half of that acreage and use it for cellulosic ethanol or one of the other biofuel production pieces outlined in the study, it would significantly cut down the amount of straw we would have to burn in the summer."
The feasibility study is the result of two simultaneous efforts that have come together. First, the Lane County Board of Commissioners felt the need to do something about field burning smoke after receiving complaints from concerned citizens. After meeting with grass seed growers, the commissioners realized that field burning was an economic issue for the industry and the best option for sanitizing fields for the next growing season. At the same time, a working group was formed to look into creating energy from woody biomass, specifically in Lane County. A conversation was encouraged by the county commission between the working group and the grass seed industry.
"A third driver in all this is the advance in energy efficiency technology the past couple of years along with all the incentives and grant programs now available in Oregon," says Mike McKenzie-Bahr of the Lane County Community and Economic Development Program, who is coordinator of the project and feasibility study. "Because of tax breaks, renewable energy projects are very possible. We've already seen several straw-to-energy studies that deal with rice in California and wheat in Idaho."
So why not look at the potential annual ryegrass straw has for biofuels?
"It's almost the perfect convergence of the need, the financial opportunity to pursue the idea, the improvement in technology, and the right amount of human brain power being applied to renewable energy right now," says McKenzie-Bahr. "It seems the right time to focus on the issue."
Many hurdles need to be cleared before a new straw-to-fuel industry is established. Cellulosic ethanol energy conversion is just one technology addressed in the study. The conversion of straw into pellets for boiler system technology, and use of straw in pyrolysis or anaerobic digestion will also be considered. Other elements of the study include an evaluation of harvesting, baling, and transportation costs. If it takes too much money to move the straw from the field to an energy facility, growers will not have the financial incentive to get involved. There is also the cost of replenishing nutrients and controlling pests in the wake of removing the straw from the field, and not burning it or tilling it back into the ground. The study also will examine how much ryegrass straw can be supplied by growers as a feedstock for biofuel. There would need to be a guaranteed minimum amount to justify the expense of siting and building a facility in the Willamette Valley.
Present research suggests that grass straw on its own may not be a very high energy fuel. But combining it with other feedstock, including woody biomass, may make it a valuable source. Studies continue to look at combining dairy waste, food waste, and straw residue for energy conversion-essentially looking at a spectrum of agricultural waste products that might now have some value.
Locally, there is enough momentum to at least move ahead with the Lane County research. The Oregon Seed Council is on record supporting the study and giving growers a market-driven incentive for reducing the amount of annual ryegrass straw that goes up in smoke. If the feasibility study comes up with enough encouraging results, a demonstration project will be developed.
Several partners have been identified to carry out the various research elements of the project including private consultants, organizations, and researchers from both Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. ODA will act as a liaison between the project team, and other state agencies and organizations. The study should be completed within a year.
"It's a feasibility study, and will either have positive results or it won't," said ODA's Byers. "At least it is the first step in perhaps addressing some economic and environmental issues we have in the Willamette Valley."
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| ODA offers three-month weather forecast for growers |
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Registration for the 2008 field-burning season ended April 1. Field burning begins in the Willamette Valley in July. As July approaches, ODA Smoke Management Program meteorologist Pete Parsons gets ready for the busy season,
During winter and spring, Parsons spends much of his time examining historical weather data, and each month develops a long-range agricultural forecast. Below is his forecast for April‑July 2008.
Forecast: Moderate La Niña conditions are now present in the Tropical Pacific. La Niña is expected to continue for at least the next three months and perhaps well into the second half of 2008. It should be noted that changes in the Pacific Northwest climate, during La Niña, are not as pronounced in the spring and summer as they are in the autumn and winter.
The following climate predictions for April-July are based on historical weather data from the top three analog years (1950, 1971, and 1974) with extra weight given to the top analog year of 1971.
- Below normal temperatures through June...trending to near normal in July.
- Precipitation generally near or slightly below normal statewide for the entire period.
- An increased chance of below normal precipitation east of the Cascades in April... trending towards normal or above normal by June, then below normal again in July.
- Increased chance of significant late-season frost events statewide.
The complete long-range forecast is available online in PowerPoint and pdf formats at http://oregon.gov/ODA/NRD/weather.shtml.
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| State sesquicentennial celebration starts with agriculture |
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Oregon agriculture is history. No, the industry is not in decline nor is it an industry that has no future. But the state's farms and ranches certainly have a rich past that actually predates statehood. As Oregon celebrated its 149th birthday in February, 14 family operations were officially recognized as the state's first sesquicentennial farms and ranches. For more than 150 years, these families have made it through bad weather, crop and livestock diseases, an unpredictable marketplace, and many other hardships that would probably wipe out a number of past and present business enterprises. The sesquicentennial farm families adapted to changes and challenges.
"I can't think of a better way to describe sustainability than to highlight family farms and ranches in Oregon that have been operating on the same land for 150 years," said Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba. "I don't think there are very many companies in Oregon that are celebrating their 150th birthday and I think there is a much better chance that Oregon agriculture will still be around in another 150 than many other industries."
Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, approved by the Oregon Legislature in the February session, honors all farms and ranches for being owned and operated by the same family for the past 150 years or longer. Since 1958, when the Oregon Century Farm and Ranch Program has recognized the longevity of these family operations. Currently, there are 1,076 recognized century farms and ranches in the state, located in every county except Deschutes.
While there may be as many as 400 sesquicentennial farms and ranches in the state, the 14 honored earlier this year in a special ceremony were the first to apply for official recognition and meet all the eligibility requirements. Some of them were represented by the family's seventh generation, now working on the farm of their ancestors. The fact that children were part of the sesquicentennial farm families at the ceremony signifies a future generation to keep the operations moving forward. There is every reason to believe these farms and ranches will take part in a bicentennial celebration in 2058.
The inaugural sesquicentennial award families include:
- Jack Vaughan Farm of Clackamas County, established in 1844.
- Century Farm-Mark Hattan DLC of Clackamas County, established in 1847.
- Richardson Farm of Lane County, established in 1848.
- Guy and Mary Scott Farm of Marion County, established in 1849.
- Coon Family Farm of Linn County, established in 1850.
- Kow Kamp Ranch of Marion County, established in 1851.
- Ford Farms of Lane County, established in 1852.
- Heater Family Farm of Marion County, established in 1852.
- Gabriel Johnson Trullinger/Friedrich Farm of Clackamas County, established in 1852.
- Birdseye Ranch of Jackson County, established in 1853.
- Jackson-Martinak Farm of Linn County, established in 1853.
- Rice Ranch of Linn County, established in 1853.
- Herrling-Arnold-Brock Farm of Linn County, established in 1854.
- McKay Farms, Inc. of Marion County, established in 1856.
Among those accepting a certificate recognizing the sesquicentennial designation was Jim Heater, whose family farm originally raised cattle, sheep, and hay but now is primarily producing Christmas trees.
"It's an honor to be recognized, but the credit should go more to the first two or three generations," said Heater. "Those were some pretty hard times. We're just thankful they made it through."
Getting into farming a century and a half ago was perhaps easier than today, keeping it going was often more challenging. Many historic Oregon farms date back to the Donation Land Act of 1850, a federal law that allowed 640 acres of free land to married couples and 320 acres to single men. Most of the early homesteads were in the rich and fertile Willamette Valley with others established in the Rogue and Umpqua valleys of southern Oregon.
One of the things that remains constant is that farms are based on families. Communities were built around clusters of farm families in the 1800s. Today, family farms are spread out among all kinds of urban and residential development. Most everyone associated with these historic operations feels it is important for the non-agriculture community to play a role in preserving a special way of life.
As a kickoff to Oregon's 150th birthday to be celebrated next year, the sesquicentennial farm and ranch ceremony has been one way to show that support. You can expect additional farms and ranches to join the exclusive group as the years go by.
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| 2008 Ag Progress Awards Dinner |
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The Oregon Department of Agriculture saluted industry leaders recently at the 17th annual Agricultural Progress Awards Dinner held in Pendleton. The event, which takes place each year during National Agriculture Week, celebrates progress in agriculture made through partnerships between business, higher education, and state government.
ODA Director Katy Coba presented awards in recognition of innovation and leadership in the following areas:
Leadership in Conservation
Barlow Farms of Nyssa, for adopting production practices that improve water quality and make efficient use of water for irrigation.
High Value Products
EZ Orchards of Salem, for providing both fresh and processed, locally-grown fruit and vegetable products at its farm market and other retail outlets .
Excellence in Education
Oregon State FFA, which, through its 104 chapters, currently offers career development and learning experiences to more than 4,600 students statewide.
Excellence in Marketing
Earl Brown & Sons, Inc. of Milton-Freewater, a grower and packer of high quality fruit, also producing and marketing wine and cider.
Individual Contributions to Agriculture
Clint Shock of Ontario, professor and superintendent of Oregon State University's Malheur Experiment Station, for his long time and extensive assistance to local agricultural producers.
Sharon Livingston of Long Creek, past president of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, for her leadership and involvement with the cattle industry as well as her advocacy on behalf of all of agriculture.
Reid Saito of Nyssa, owner/operator of KLG Farms, for his wide ranging contributions to Oregon's onion industry, and the state's overall agriculture industry as past member and chair of the State Board of Agriculture.
ODA Employees of the Year
Diana Walker, GIS Coordinator; and, Casey Prentiss, Manager of Shipping Point Inspection Ontario District Office.
Video of the awards ceremony is available online courtesy of Elaine Shein, Capital Press, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pnJK5NtXcI
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| Farmers save energy in Grande Ronde Valley with management, technologies, incentives |
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| Efficient pump reduces energy use. |
By Stephanie Page
Electricity and fuel are significant expenses for growers in the Grande Ronde Valley, where irrigation is necessary to grow crops such as grass seed, mint, alfalfa, wheat, and sugar beets. However, growers are using a variety of management practices and technologies to mitigate these costs, reduce energy use, and provide other natural resource benefits.
After a professional energy audit, local grower Phil Hassinger learned that conventional irrigation pumps are sized for the grower's maximum water needs, and operate at that horsepower regardless of the size of the irrigation job. "With a regular pump, you use almost as much energy to run one wheel line as you would need to run four wheel lines," Hassinger explains.
Hassinger added a smaller pump at one site to lower his energy use for smaller irrigation jobs, and is currently installing a more efficient pump motor and a variable frequency drive (VFD).
The variable frequency drive is a computer that runs the pump at the horsepower needed to do the job-and no more. This arrangement more closely matches the cost of electricity to the amount of water applied.
"With the variable speed drive, you enter the water pressure you need for the type of equipment you're using," Phil explains. "The drive starts the pump at an idling speed, and gradually builds the pressure needed. When I start the old pump, it starts at a very high speed to force the water pressure up. Not only will the new system reduce energy use by about a third, it will eliminate problems with water hammering and burst pipes from that first burst of pressure the constant speed pump created."
The cost of the pump and drive was much greater than a conventional pump, but several incentives helped make the project possible for the Hassingers. They received a grant from US Department of Agriculture Rural Development for about 25 percent of the pump cost and also received a Business Energy Tax Credit from the state of Oregon.
Hassinger is also very complimentary of the incentives available from the local power company, Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. "They have cost-shared energy audits and offer rebates for maintenance activities that save energy, like replacing nozzles and couplers on pivots." These simple management practices save electricity and also help ensure that growers apply the correct amount of water to their crops.
Fuel-saving management practices have also translated to other natural resource benefits on the Hassingers' fields. "Over the last five years, I've seen diesel prices increase from 63¢ to $3.50 per gallon," says Phil Hassinger. "At that price, farmers are aware of the cost of every pass they make over the field. I'm willing to leave the seed bed more coarse than I used to." The Hassingers have reduced tillage of the soil, enhancing soil organic matter and quality while lowering their fuel use.
To save fertilizer, which requires significant energy resources to produce, the Hassingers test their soil for major nutrients and apply fertilizer according to soil test results. They also use a variety of integrated pest management practices such as scouting, predatory mites and wasps for crop pests. These methods reduce the number of trips across the field needed with a sprayer.
The Hassingers' careful management of soil tilth, nutrient applications, and pesticide applications, as well as other management practices, allowed them to enroll in the Conservation Security Program, a USDA program which rewards growers for a high level of natural resources stewardship.
Hassinger, who enjoys birding and fishing, appreciates the benefits to fish and wildlife as well as the cost savings of his energy efficiency projects.
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| Announcements |
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Oregon Ag Fest
April 26-27, 2008 • Saturday, 8:30AM.-5PM. • Sunday, 10AM-5PM.
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR
Admission: $6.00 • Children 12 and under FREE
Phone: 503-581-4325 or 800-874-7012
Web: http://www.oragfest.com
Energy Trust workshops
Energy Trust of Oregon is sponsoring two free workshops on small wind for rural landowners and farmers on Wednesday, April 30, 7 pm at the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center at 1320 A Street NE, Salem and Thursday, May 15, 2008, 7 pm at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, 72789 Highway 331, Pendleton. The workshops will explain small wind technology and how much energy landowners can generate from a residential system.
Participants will also learn about costs, financial incentives and tax credits, and how to assess the available wind resource. For more information, visit the Energy Trust Web site: http://www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.
Oregon State Board of Agriculture meeting
May 15 and 16, 2008
ODA Ag Development & Marketing Division
1207 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 104, Portland, OR 97209
For more info: 503-986-4552
Oregon Century Farm & Ranch application deadline
Formal applications must be submitted by June 1, 2008.
For more information, contact Glenn Mason, 503-297-5892
Applications may be downloaded at http://oregon.gov/ODA/cfr.shtml#Resources
Renewable energy and energy efficiency grants
USDA Rural Development is currently accepting applications for renewable energy and energy efficiency grants from agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Applications are due June 16, 2008. For more information, visit the Oregon Rural Development office Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/energy.htm, or contact program staff at 503-414-3361 (Portland) or 541-278-8049, ext. 129 (Pendleton).
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