Page 30 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 2: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Top 10 Challenges to Farming Success in Washington County

Table 2.6 addresses perceived challenges to agriculture industry success and provides potential solutions
for consideration by the agricultural community, non-profit interests, and public entities. Column 1,
“Agricultural Industry” indicates input from interviews with Washington County agriculture producers
(farmers) and expert opinions from leaders of agriculture organizations, commodity groups, and
government agencies. Column 2 indicates development of input by the study consulting team.

Table 2.6: Agricultural Industry Challenges and Potential Solutions

Agricultural Industry Consultants Challenge Solutions to Consider

Producers could consider farm diversification with specialty
crops, new practices, agritourism, and new sales channels such
X Farm profitability as consumer direct sales. Regulators, including Washington
County, could work to keep the cost of complying with
regulations to a reasonable amount.
The average age of farmers in County, state, and regional partners could actively promote
Oregon is nearly 60 years old programs that support new or transitioning farm ownership and
X X and 25-50 percent of Oregon’s management (e.g. succession planning, OSU’s Austin Family
farmland will change hands in Business Program, USDA new farmer grant and loan programs).
the next decade.
County, state, and regional partners could support research
Farm labor quality and and development of advanced technologies to reduce the need
X X
availability. for labor, create shared labor pools, and support education and
training to meet future management and labor needs.

Farm organizations could help producers develop ways to buffer
Incompatible farm crops and
X X incompatible crops, and encourage farmers to coordinate farm
management practices.
management practices with neighbors.

The County could consider developing educational materials that
encourage understanding of land use laws, such as those regarding
the Urban Growth Boundary, urban and rural reserves, and land
Sustaining availability of high-
X use issues such as the impact of residential and commercial
value farm land
development encroachment on farmland. The County could also
provide opportunities for collaboration and stakeholder input
related to future planning and policies.
26 WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY