Transcript Oregon Agriculture Not Just a Pretty Picture

Uniting Agriculture
Through Education
Brent Searle
Oregon Department of Agriculture
It’s more than a pretty picture…
The Challenge:
More U.S. kids have
visited a zoo than a
working farm or
ranch.
The productivity of
modern agriculture
have allowed 99% of
the population to do
something other than
worry about where
there next meal is
coming from. In so
doing, we’ve created a
society of agricultural
illiterates.
OWA Support for AITC THANK YOU!
 Agriculture
in the Classroom is
reaching over 28,000 students in
2003/04, up from 3,000 in 1999/2000;
 Over 1,000 teachers are utilizing
AITC materials.
 AITC works in tandem with 4-H
Extension Programs and FFA in High
School.
 http://aitc.oregonstate.edu/
Tell and Retell Agriculture’s Story:
Importance to Oregon’s Economy,
Environment, and Social Fabric
Qu ickT ime™ and a
TIF F (U ncom pres sed) deco mpre ssor
are nee ded t o see this pictu re.
Director Coba’s Mantra:
It’s ALL about
agriculture!
Who is the audience and What
is the message?
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Agriculture industry: to be effective the industry
(working with OSU, ODA, others) must research and
understand complicated issues; collaborate together;
skillfully articulate positive approaches to issues and
challenges… requires LEADERSHIP and
INNOVATION.
Public generally wants to be supportive but doesn’t
know how, or is influenced by other groups.
Government, at all levels, is made up of individuals
educated in a system lacking in natural
resource/agricultural experience and context.
Education system is focused in other directions and
few schools have natural resources, agriculture,
fisheries, and forestry as a content module for
learning.
What is the message?
Economic importance and relevance
2. Conservation/environmental
stewardship progress and
accomplishments and new ideas…
3. Connection to cultural and historical
aspects of our communities
= “Three Legs of Sustainability,” “Triple
Bottom Line,” “New Economy”
1.
How Does ODA fit in?
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Mission Statement:
1.
to promote economic development
and expand market opportunities for
Oregon agricultural products.
to protect the natural resource base
for present and future generations of
farmers and ranchers.
to ensure food safety and provide
consumer protection;
2.
3.
Agriculture’s Economic Contribution:
The message is getting out that agriculture
is important…
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Accounting for economic activity and jobs
supported by agriculture (inputs, food
processing, etc.), the industry accounts for 8-9%
of jobs and 9.5% of gross state product (GSP).
Agriculture has rebounded from the downturn of
2001-2002, and the value of of agricultural
output has reached an all-time high of $3.8
billion.
Net farm income did suffer in the past, but 2002
showed an 21% increase and 2003 a 30%
increase.
Value of Farm and Ranch Production:
1985 - 2003
$4.0
$3.8 billion
$3.5
$3.0
$2.5
Value of Production
Expenses continue
to take a big bite
from growers profits
$2.0
$1.5
$1.0
Net Farm Income
$0.5
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$0.0
Source: Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service. Nominal Dollars.
Employment
More than 150,000 people are
engaged in various occupations
related to agriculture.
 8-9% of Oregon’s employment (1
in 12).
 Total payroll is over $2.3 billion.
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Oregon
Producer
Demographics
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40,000 farms and ranches
98% are family owned and operated = 88% are
sole proprietor/individual; 6% partnerships,
mostly family; 5% corporations, mostly family.
Less than 1% are non-family corporations.
Average age of operators = 55 years old. 54% of all
growers are 55 or older and own or operate over
50% of farm acreage. Implications for land
turnover in the next 10-15 years are significant.
Who will care for and operate Oregon’s farms in
the future?
Oregon’s Farm/Ranch Demographics
Full-time Operators
 Today’s economics require at least $250,000 in sales in order to
operate full-time and provide for family living expenses.
 2,250 Oregon farms meet this criteria (6%).
 These farms produce 80% of Oregon’s agricultural output.
Caught in the Middle:
 Work off-farm to support household. Squeezed by costs and not
enough volume.
 25% (10,000) of farms, produce 18% of output, control 35% of
acres.
Small-time operators:
 69% (27,600) of Oregon farms have less than $10,000 in sales.
62% of farms are less than 50 acres. Many part-time, hobby, and
life-style farms.
 Those with sales under $10,000 control about 10% of farm acres
-- so they are critical to resource management. They often serve
local markets and are more labor intensive, tend to focus on
organic and other niche markets -- get a lot of press!
Diversity of Production
 Over
220 commodities
produced in Oregon.
 Helps create greater
stability throughout the
industry over time.
Segments in Oregon’s $3.8 Billion Ag
Industries
Tree fruit & nuts
6%
Vegetables &
truck crops
7%
Cattle
16%
Diversity of
Production
Dairy products
8%
Poultry
2%
Speciality
products
3%
Other animal
products
2%
Small woodlots &
Christmas trees
9%
Grains
5%
Small fruit &
berries
3%
Hay & forage
6%
Nursery &
greenhouse
20%
Field crops
5%
Grass & legume
seeds
8%
Oregon Leads the
Nation in the
Production of:
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Grass Seed
Hazelnuts
Christmas Trees
Peppermint
Caneberries
Sugar beets for seed
Crimson clover
Red clover seed
Herbs, dried
Potted Florist Azaleas
Commodities Ranked by
Value of Production (2003)
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Nursery/Greenhouse
Cattle & Calves
Hay, all
Grass Seed, all
Milk, all
Wheat, all
Christmas trees
Onions, all
Potatoes, all
Pears, all
Source: Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service
$777.6 million
$429.8 million
$365.7 million
$291.7 million
$272.1 million
$199.8 million
$158 million
$108.3 million
$106.6 million
$72.2 million
Oregon’s Top 10
Agricultural Counties (2004)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Marion County
Clackamas County
Washington County
Yamhill County
Umatilla County
Linn County
Morrow County
Klamath County
Malheur County
Polk County
$518 million
$354 million
$252 million
$242 million
$235 million
$230 million
$211 million
$182 million
$171 million
$124 million
Oregon’s Top 10
Agricultural Counties
Production/person: 2003
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Morrow
Sherman
Gilliam
Harney
Lake
Wheeler
Malheur
Wallowa
Tillamook
Grant
$15,298
$12,154
$9,178
$7,894
$7,069
$5,566
$5,451
$4,755
$3,593
$3,401
Sources:
USDA OR Ag Statistics Service
Population Research Center, PSU
Agriculture is One of Oregon’s Most
Important Exports
-- Traded Sector / new $$ into state
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80% of production leaves the state.
40% of production leaves the country.
Ag and food products are the second
largest export sector in terms of value,
the first in terms of volume.
Accounts for about 19% of total state
exports.
60% of the Port of Portland’s total
tonnage of exports is agriculture.
Agriculture is One of Oregon’s
Most Important Exports
• While computer and electronic products
currently top Oregon exports at $4.2 billion,
this total is down 8.5% over the past year,
while agricultural exports are up 20.4% to
$1.55 billion. Add in processed food, and
total ag-related exports
reach $1.83 billion.
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Japan #1, followed by
Korea, China, Canada
Value Added
Over $1.5 billion in
value added
through food
processing
statewide with much
of this centered in
the Portland and
Salem Metro areas.
Food Processing
Multnomah County leads
Oregon in food processing with
more than 24% of the state’s
food processing payroll and
nearly 20% of the employees.
Marion County follows with
18% of the food processing
employment and 16% of
payroll.
 Average pay per worker is
$36,112 in Multnomah County
and $26,731 in Marion County.
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Natural Resource Message:
Stewardship of Oregon’s
Agricultural Land and Water
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Land and water are the two primary
components of producing food and fiber -- just
as silicon and electronics are for high tech...
Farmers and ranchers are the largest private
landowners in Oregon, managing over 17
million acres of land in farm use.
 15.5 million are in commercial farm use (gross over
$10,000 in sales) and zoned as agricultural land.
 1.5 million acres are lifestyle farms <$10,000 sales.
 Cropland = 5.4 million acres
Fallow rotation = 500,000 acres
 Pastureland/rangeland = 9 million acres
 Woodlands = 2.1 million acres
 Conservation dedicated = 500,000 acres
Agriculture Needs Water
 44.4%
of all Oregon farms do
some irrigation.
 64.5% of harvested cropland
acres are irrigated.
 Irrigated farms produced
over 80% of the total value
of Oregon’s harvested
crops.
Irrigation by County
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Klamath
Malheur
Lake
Harney
Baker
Umatilla
Marion
Morrow
Crook
Union
242,153 acres
223,263 acres
194,320 acres
133,008 acres
127,077 acres
121,909 acres
100,415 acres
94,798 acres
77,861 acres
64,901 acres
Natural Resource Management
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Tough requirements for environmental stewardship has
earned Oregon a reputation for being a national leader in
natural resource management.
Oregon farmers and ranchers have nearly 500,000 acres
enrolled in conservation programs.
Oregon leads the nation in the number of water transfers
and amount used for conservation and wildlife.
Oregon has implemented a state-wide agricultural water
quality management plan (SB1010), including livestock
operation waste handling (CAFO).
Agriculture can use this experience to market its products
(and even services) -- the public is increasingly
demanding information about how and where food comes
from.
Certification and documentation can also assist growers
with “green” payments -- CSP, carbon sequestration, etc.
What do consumers want?
Identifying
the real
consumer
trend can be
difficult.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Consumer Trends
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One year ago, approximately 10% of the U.S. population was on a lowcarb diet, affecting products made with wheat, potatoes... Today, about
5% of the population on a low-carb diet.
“Functional foods” are taking the lead. This includes foods containing
probiotics, energy-boosters, vitamin and mineral supplements,
cholesterol-lowering foods, and "diabetes-friendly" foods.
Another 10-15% of the US population makes some food purchases
based on specific production or processing traits, be it organic,
kosher, sustainable, location of production, or other preference.
About 10% of consumers are doing some amount of grocery and
specialty food purchasing online, affecting how products are
displayed, packaged, and distributed.
More U.S. households now have pets than children.... the implications
are significant.
30 of the U.S.’s 100 largest cities now have a “minority” as the
“majority” population. Increasing numbers of ethnic groups are
seeking foods that fit their culture and tastes.
The baby boomers are now gray-haired and wanting smaller portions,
more convenience, and more variety in the foods they buy.
Renewable Energy Opportunities
New ways to utilize
the natural
resource base:
 Wind
 Biofuels
 Biomass
 Biogas
(digesters)
 Solar
 Micro-hydro
 Geothermal
Renewable Energy Benefits
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Locally produced, helps local economies
Biobased, less impact on environment -- land,
water and air
Reduces reliance/dependence on foreign
supplies of oil and power
Diversifies economic base and creates more
stability
Provides potential rotational crops and other
opportunities for growers
Builds bridges over the “urban-rural” divide
Wind Example: Economics
Klondike:
• approximately 1/2 acre per turbine is
taken from agricultural production
• 8 acres for 16 machines for a total of 24
MW
 Wind: $32,000 per year assuming $2,000
per turbine per year
 Wheat: about $800 per year assuming
$100/acre/year gross, averaged with 2-year
rotation
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State-level Initiatives
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Renewable Energy Action Plan, led by OR
Dept. of Energy, targets all renewable energy
technologies, sets out goals, and
recommends legislative action.
http://www.energy.state.or.us/renew/RenewPlan.htm
Governor is supporting legislative proposals
that create incentives, fuel blends, and
research.
 Rep. Kropf and Dingfelder will be introducing
renewable energy bills…
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Community Message
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More than 1,800 farms and
ranches in Oregon have been
honored as Century Farms -- owned and
operated by the same family for over 100
years. No other industry in the state can claim
that level of community roots, sustainability,
and historic perspective.
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The number of farmers markets in Oregon
has grown from just 10 in 1990 to more than
60 statewide. Many are concentrated in the
Portland Metro area.
The number of roadside stands offering fresh
produce is now more than 100. Again, many
of those are located near our urban centers.
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Community Message
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Oregon’s food industry (growers and
processors) is the largest provider of
donations to the Oregon Food Bank network,
and provides 60% of all direct
donations. Another 18% of what is received
by the Food Bank comes from USDA food
assistance programs – nearly 80% of the
volume of foods distributed by the Food Bank
comes directly from donations by growers
and food processors in Oregon, or the USDA
surplus food products.
Building on Community
How does the industry build on the significant
contributions and historical community
resources that are associated with
agriculture?
 Collaborate with local museums, historical
societies, seasonal tourism attractions…
 Invite local papers to Century Farms to hear
the history and write local stories…
 More on-farm tours and educational
outreach…
Research and Higher Ed
Support for OSU
Extension and
Research
 Focus on innovative
solutions to current
issues
 Identify and capitalize
on collaboration of
high tech, higher ed,
and natural resource
advantages in
Oregon.
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QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
OECDD Workgroup on Innovations in
Natural Resources
Purpose:
 to “develop a technology-based economic roadmap
that identifies economic opportunities for the state’s
core research competencies related to innovation in
natural resources and sustainable technologies.”
The roadmap must focus on the four industry subclusters: 1) green building (including high-value
wood products and engineered materials) and urban
planning; 2) natural resources (including agricultural
and forestry products and processes); 3) renewable
energy and clean transportation; and 4) sustainable
technologies for high-tech and manufacturing.”
Examples of technology in agriculture…
tell the story:
Nanobiosensors and Milking:
 An array of nanobiosensors are being developed for use directly at
the inlet of the milking maching to monitor for the presence of
bacteria in the milk of each cow and other health diagnostics. This
enables direct quality control of milk for each cow being milked,
rapid detection in seconds if there are problems, remote sensing
capabilities.
Photosensing:
 Chemical application equipment in Eastern Oregon wheat fields and
Western Oreogn vineyards are being outfitted with infrared color
sensors that can detect weeds or unwanted vegetation, enabling
spot spraying of chemicals on very specific areas. This reduces the
cost of application and the amount of the chemical in the
environment.
Micro-monitoring in Vineyards:
 Intel recently installed small sensors in a vineyard in Oregon to
monitor microclimates. The sensors measured temperature,
humidity, and other factors to monitor the growing cycle of the
grapes, then transmitted the data to be interpreted and used to help
prevent frostbite, mold, and other agricultural problems.
Uniting Agriculture Through
Education
AUDIENCES:
 Industry, Public, Government,
Education System/Teachers
MESSAGES:
 Economic, Environment, Community
Oregon Agriculture:
Education is the Key to
Industry Unity and a
Prosperous and Viable
Future