T he C olumbia P ress
2
April 26, 2019
Clatsop County lost 8 percent of its agricultural land
The Columbia Press &
news sources
Oregon has lost 10 percent
of its farmland in the past five
years.
New Oregon data from the
U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture show that 340,000 acres
fell out of agricultural produc-
tion from 2012 to 2017, more
than three times the number
of acres lost from 2007-2012.
Clatsop County farmers re-
ported losing 1,312 acres, or 8
percent of all agricultural land
in the county.
Meanwhile, the average
market value of farmland and
buildings increased by 57.5
percent, from $5,548 per acre
to $7,153 per acre.
It’s worse in neighboring
Columbia County, where
farmers reported the second
highest percentage loss of
farmland of any Oregon coun-
ty – 13,289 acres or
nearly a quarter of all
agricultural land.
“If we continue to
lose Columbia Coun-
ty farmland at this
rate, it won’t be long
before we lose the
entire industry,” said
Courtesy Rick McEwan
Randy Bergman, vice The Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program
chair of the Columbia is designed to support farmers and ranch-
Soil & Water Conser- ers like Woody Wolfe, a sixth-generation
vation District.
Wallowa County farmer who’s taking steps
Hoping to reverse to conserve his family’s ranch..
or slow the trend, a
coalition of agricultural and tire and there’s no succession
conservation groups is pro- plan in place. Agricultural
moting House Bill 2729 to land makes up 25 percent, or
provide $10 million for the 16.3 million acres, of Oregon’s
Oregon Agricultural Heritage land. Yet two-thirds of Ore-
Program (OAHP). The pro- gon’s agricultural lands will
gram was signed into law in change hands in the next 20
years, according to research
2017.
“Oregon’s land-use program from Oregon State University.
As each large farm is par-
has slowed the loss of farm-
land, but it is not enough,” said celed out, the next generation
Chad Allen, one of 11 OAHP has fewer viable acres upon
commissioners and owner/ which to make enough money
operator of Victor Dairy in to live as a farmer. Unfortu-
Tillamook. “We need the leg- nately, when land sells, it of-
islature to invest in efforts to ten garners more from devel-
stem the tide before we lose opers than other farmers.
Funding OAHP allows Ore-
even more land to nonagricul-
gon to access federal matching
tural uses.”
Farms in Oregon and the na- dollars for projects that pre-
tion are being lost to a range serve farmland and support
of development, often when Oregon farmers and ranchers.
one generation is ready to re- If funding passes in the cur-
rent legislative session, farm-
ers and ranchers can apply for
The week ahead
state-level grants to protect
working lands, enhance natu-
Groups & Events
ral resource values, and assist
t uesDay
with succession planning.
• Astoria-Warrenton Area
“There is a well-funded fed-
Chamber of Commerce net-
eral program offered by the
working breakfast, 7:45 a.m.,
Natural Resources Conserva-
Astoria Brewing Company, 144 tion Service that gives match-
11th St., Astoria.
ing grants that help farmers
w eDnesDay
preserve their land,” said Sar-
• Children’s Storytime, “Di-
ah Beaubien, a director at the
nosaurs,” 10:30 a.m., Warren-
Tillamook County Creamery
ton Community Library, 160 S. Association. “But Oregon has
Main Ave.
left millions of federal dollars
s aturDay
on the table. ... If the state leg-
• Children’s Storytime, “Di-
islature wants to back up their
nosaurs,” 10:30 a.m., Warren-
commitment to Oregon farm-
ton Community Library, 160 S. ers, it needs to fully fund this
Main Ave.
program.”