05 Sep Farmland must be preserved and accessible for generations to come.
The U.S. loses 4.3 acres of farmland each minute. Hood River County has the most expensive farmland in the state. Accessing land for beginning farmers is difficult throughout the region. With over 15 organizations collaborating across Oregon and Washington, Gorge Grown is dedicated to ensuring farmland remains protected and accessible for generations to come.
Columbia Gorge Farmland Access and Preservation Working Group meetings foster collaboration among various organizations and stakeholders dedicated to preserving farmland and supporting agricultural viability in the region. Ongoing discussions highlight the importance of addressing funding challenges, regulatory clarity, and the need for innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of farming in the Columbia Gorge.
Across the Gorge and beyond, farmers face shrinking profits, a reduced workforce, and growing barriers to land access. The articles below explore these challenges, offering a deeper look at the realities shaping the future of farming.
An Oregon State University study shows that even with higher yields, today’s pear orchards in Hood River aren’t covering their costs at current prices, highlighting the tough economics and lack of new pear varieties.
CNN reports that a cherry farmer in The Dalles lost roughly a quarter of his 125-acre harvest due to a severe migrant labor shortage—triggered by fears of ICE raids—that left much of the crop unpicked.
U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China strained Oregon’s agricultural sector—especially pear growers—by generating market uncertainty, disrupting perishable crop sales, and making it difficult for producers to plan and fulfill international orders.