Oregon

Oregon has strong rooted values when it comes to agriculture and farmland. Currently, there are 37,100 farms operating 15.7 million acres with 9.1 million acres allocated for permanent pasture and rangeland to support the 1.25 million head of cattle the state produces annually. Due to Right to Farm legislation adopted in 1993 and updated in 1995 and 2001, farm and forest practices are deemed as critical to the welfare of the Oregon economy and therefore acts to protect farms in the state. Because of this, farms in the state have gone on to thrive with very little reduction over the last decade and a half.

Currently, the future of Oregon's farming lies in the hands of the younger generations. Without proper succession, as much as 64% of the states farmland could end up on the chopping block. Since the average age of farmers in Oregon is now approaching 60, around 10.45 million acres of Oregon farmland is expected to change hands within the next 20 years. Supporting these farms by sourcing from farm to table helps to ensure that they are profitable and may increase market appeal for younger generations looking to get into the farming business. Keeping these farms in operation is critical to maintaining nutritional independence and a strong local economy.