ODA Wraps Up National Ag Week Focused On Diversity

National Ag week wraps up Saturday.  Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor is using the final days to promote the wide variety of commodities found in the Beaver State.  Taylor said there are nearly 35,000 farmers and ranchers in Oregon producing a wide variety of crops and livestock.

“When people ask me why I want to come to Oregon and work in this job, I talk about the diversity of it. I grew up in a state that had a handful of major crops and we have over 225, and that’s really exciting. Also diversity in who is growing our food. Nearly 40% of our farmers and ranchers are women. That’s also really exciting.”

Taylor says there is one constant in Oregon agriculture:

• More than 98% of the state’s farms and ranches are family operations.
• About 1 in 8 Oregonians are employed in an occupation related to agriculture.
• Oregon ag products can be found locally, throughout the US, and in several international markets that demand high quality.

“Agriculture is really the backbone of our economy across the state. It is the second largest sector. So I think National Agriculture Week is a really exciting time to focus on and highlight agriculture in that one week. But really, we have opportunities, as Oregonians, all year around to do that.”

Taylor says one of the best ways to say thank you to Oregon ag is with your pocketbook.  She said supporting locally grown food and appreciating those who make it possible not just during National Ag Week, but all 52 weeks of the year.

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