Page 31 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 2: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Agricultural Industry Consultants Challenge Solutions to Consider

The County could promote efficient use and seasonal storage of
Sustaining water quality and
X water in collaboration with the water master and Tualatin Soil
quantity
and Water Conservation District.

County, state, and regional partners could improve plans for
rural traffic management and improve roads as permitted and
Rural roads are affected
by increased traffic from as funding allows. “Farm vehicles on road” signage could be
X X commuters and tourists sharing improved and expanded. Satellite technology methods to alert
the roads with farm-related drivers to the presence of farm equipment on the road could be
transportation. explored. Development and expansion of shared transportation of
goods to market, specific routing “loops” and bikeways could be
considered.

County, state, and regional partners could support a strong Port
Farms are highly dependent of Portland with overseas shipping facilities and appropriate
on transportation to regional, regional transportation investments as well as a high quality, safe
X X
national and international road and bridge system. Note: Larger Washington County seed,
markets. grain, hay, nursery stock and Christmas tree farms are especially
dependent on this.

County, state, and regional partners could support Oregon
Lack of understanding of Department of Agriculture’s farm mediation programs and the
34
farming practices by urban development of good neighbor programs .
X X residents and nonfarm rural Public education programs including opportunities for the
residents, and conflicts on the public to visit farms and get acquainted with farmers in order to
urban-rural fringe. promote understanding of today’s farming could be supported.
Networking and food webs could be encouraged.

Keeping up with best practices County, state, and regional partners could support ways to
in farming, identifying and connect farmers with the latest technology and best practices,
X
solving pest and market such as the following resource base:
problems. http://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/group/oregon-vegetables.

34 www.oregon.gov/oda/AboutUs/ComplaintsDisputes/Pages/mediation.aspx

WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY 27