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March 19, 2009
SALEM - Oregon farmers asked lawmakers to protect farmland from urban sprawl in the state's second biennial agricultural summit.
"If I don't have a land base, I can't operate," said Mickey Killingsworth, a sheep grower from Madras. "And being from Central Oregon, if I don't have water to operate, I'm out of business."
About a dozen farmers from around Oregon came Thursday, March 19, to the Capitol to talk with lawmakers in the summit.
Several farmers raised issues surrounding farmland protections.
Killingsworth said last session was the first in 33 years that no new land-use exceptions were added to the state's exclusive farm use zone.
"As a farmer, I would like to see that happen again in 2009," she said.
"We have a choice whether to pass this on to future generations or destroy it," said Bruce Chapin in reference to Willamette Valley farmland. "For the agricultural industry to survive, we must have access to land and water."
Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, said he picked up several good ideas for bills in the 2007 summit - some of which became law.
"A lot of the ideas I sponsor bills on come from these people," Clem said. "I think the state is better off for it when they come down here and share their ideas."
SALEM - Oregon farmers asked lawmakers to protect farmland from urban sprawl in the state's second biennial agricultural summit.
"If I don't have a land base, I can't operate," said Mickey Killingsworth, a sheep grower from Madras. "And being from Central Oregon, if I don't have water to operate, I'm out of business."
About a dozen farmers from around Oregon came Thursday, March 19, to the Capitol to talk with lawmakers in the summit.
Several farmers raised issues surrounding farmland protections.
Killingsworth said last session was the first in 33 years that no new land-use exceptions were added to the state's exclusive farm use zone.
"As a farmer, I would like to see that happen again in 2009," she said.
"We have a choice whether to pass this on to future generations or destroy it," said Bruce Chapin in reference to Willamette Valley farmland. "For the agricultural industry to survive, we must have access to land and water."
Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, said he picked up several good ideas for bills in the 2007 summit - some of which became law.
"A lot of the ideas I sponsor bills on come from these people," Clem said. "I think the state is better off for it when they come down here and share their ideas."
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