Page 29 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 2: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURE SECTOR

8. Historical Longevity and Future Security Oregon agriculture has diversified into fast-growing
A healthy plant puts down long roots so it produces markets that are often based as much on discretionary

better quality fruit and is more resistant to expenditures as on basic needs. These markets offer
adversity than its less vigorous neighbor. The same the potential to strengthen an industry that is slowly
is true of farms. Farmland has been in production being recognized for its increasing role in Oregon’s
in Washington County since the 1800s, and many economic future. In addition, a strong farming infra-
farms are operated by descendants of the early structure including equipment dealers, input suppliers,
farmers – some on the same family homestead. and seed cleaners is vital to providing the necessary
Washington County has more than 100 Century equipment and inputs for successful farming.
Farms, operated by generations of the same family
for more than 100 years . Some farms are run 10. Access to Scientific Research and
33
Practical Education
cooperatively by multiple generations of a farming Pests, diseases, and market changes are constant
family. This “institutional knowledge” that has been challenges for farmers. Scientific research provided
grown over decades helps improve the chances for by an unbiased third-party source is necessary
success in farming since the understanding of the to respond to, and keep ahead of, growing and
land, water, resources, prior crops, and practices is marketing problems. A system to disseminate the
carried down from one generation to the next.
information from the researcher to the farmers is
9. Innovation and Market Orientation needed so that the practical information is under-

Farmers need to use innovation and vision to deter- stood and implemented at the farm level. Oregon
mine the crops or animal breeds they will raise to State University provides agricultural research
ensure they will bring adequate profit. U.S. consumer and its Extension Service submits problems to the
preferences for locally produced food are expanding. University specialists, takes part in research, and
circles back to the farmer with solutions.
33 For more information on Century Farms, visit: http://oregonfb.org/centuryfarm/

Smart Sprayer. Through OSU research,
new technology in sprayers reduces
the amount of chemicals needed while
lowering the cost to farmers. Photo
courtesy of Stephen Ward OSU EESC

WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY 25