According to the Census of Agriculture, Oregon ranks #4 in the nation when it comes to female producers.  The Census of Ag, which is conducted once every five years, shows that there are nearly 38,000 farms in Oregon, farming nearly 16 million acres.  While that figure sounds impressive, the total land in farms dropped 2% from the last census taken in 2012.

 

Additional numbers from NASS are below:

 

Number of farms: 37,616

Land in farms: 15,962,322 acres

Oregon total land in farms down 2% or 340,000 acres (since 2012)

Average farm size: 424 acres

Female producers: 29,868

U.S. = 36%

Oregon = 44%

Top 3 counties by total agricultural value

  • Marion $702 million
  • Morrow $596 million
  • Clackamas $376 million

Top 3 agricultural products by value

  • Cattle and calves $977 million
  • Nursery, greenhouse $886 million
  • Hay $780 million

Farms with internet access

  • Oregon 86%
  • U.S. 75%

 

loading...

“We are just starting to dig into the data, but at first glance we see the number of small farms is up,” Oregon Department of Agriculture, Director, Alexis Taylor said. “Also, with USDA changing the questions asked, it looks like we have a more accurate picture of how and where women are involved in their operation. Not surprisingly labor is the top expenditure for Oregon producers increasing 21% since 2012. And we continue to lose farmland, 340 thousand acres in the last five years – underscoring the need for the state’s land use system. I look forward to working with industry to explore these trends and better understand the changing landscape of agriculture in Oregon. I want to thank all the agricultural producers for taking the time to fill out the census, Oregon ranked sixth in the nation with a 73% response rate”.

 

Oregon’s Hood River County ranked first in the state for response rate reaching 80%. NASS said county profiles will be published late May 2019. Congressional District Profiles and Rankings are expected by the end of June. Watersheds and American Indian Reservation data is scheduled by the end of summer.

 

 

 

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com

More From PNW Ag Network