Oregon Workshops on Farm Succession in November

A recent report issued by Oregon State University, Portland State University and Rogue Farm Corps says 64 percent of the state’s farmland will have new owners in the next 20 years.

That’s why there will be a series of farm succession workshops throughout October and November, something ODA Land Use Specialist Jim Johnson will be extremely useful.

“A handshake agreement and a pass along really isn’t good enough anymore. There is so much going on out there. So planning for how you are going to basically move that land to your next family member or whatever, is so key.”

The report also noted that while the agriculture land could stay in farming, there is no guarantee and finding ways to ensure it remains in ag production is critical.

Johnson did note that despite what it might seem like, there is interest from the next generation.

“What we’re seeing out there is a much stronger interest in young people coming back to the farm– either people who never had any connection to farming whatsoever, they aren’t coming back to the farm, they are starting from scratch– but also you are seeing a lot of young people that went away from the farm to go to school, might even worked another job for awhile, and they are starting to realize that’s the lifestyle for them.”

To see a copy of the full report, visit our website WashingtonAgNetwork, and for more information on the workshops, contact Johnson at 503-986-4706.