Bill Permitting Farm Stores On Ag Land Clears Oregon Senate

On Friday, the Oregon Senate passed House Bill 4153, a bill supporters says will ensure family farms, farm stands, U-picks, and flower fields across the state can continue offering local agricultural experiences to their communities.

Paul Evans represents portions of Marion and Polk counties.  He said he supports legislation that will help farmers stay in business despite the challenges of the Ag economy and so many unresolved questions about trade.

“If this is a way to help a family or a families or a network of families or friends, keep in the farming business and keep a community's core farming and people actually learning, perhaps even for the first time, where food comes from and to celebrate the connection from the earth," Evans said.  "Let's at least give them the benefit of the doubt.” 

“It is an opportunity bill as far as I'm concerned, and we need to keep thinking about it that way," said Salem-Keiser area representative Kevin Mannix.  "Nobody is forced to stop doing what they're doing right now, but anybody who wants to be able to keep their farm going is given that opportunity with this legislation.”

HB 4153 allows farm stores, on land zoned exclusively for agricultural use.  The legislation also allows temporary structures or mobile vending units in conjunction with agritourism.

Click Here to learn more about HB 4153.

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