Title: Uniting Agriculture Through Education
1Uniting Agriculture Through Education
Brent Searle Oregon Department of Agriculture
2Its more than a pretty picture
3The 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, weve
created a society of agricultural illiterates.
4OWA 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/
5Tell and Retell Agricultures StoryImportance
to Oregons Economy, Environment, and Social
Fabric
6Director Cobas Mantra
- Its ALL about agriculture!
7Who is the audience and What is the message?
- 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
doesnt 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.
8What is the message?
- Economic importance and relevance
- Conservation/environmental stewardship progress
and accomplishments and new ideas - Connection to cultural and historical aspects of
our communities - Three Legs of Sustainability, Triple Bottom
Line, New Economy
9How Does ODA fit in?
- Mission Statement
- 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
10Agricultures Economic ContributionThe message
is getting out that agriculture is important
- 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.
11Value of Farm and Ranch Production 1985 - 2003
3.8 billion
Value of Production
Expenses continue to take a big bite from growers
profits
Net Farm Income
Source Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service.
Nominal Dollars.
12Employment
- More than 150,000 people are engaged in various
occupations related to agriculture. - 8-9 of Oregons employment (1 in 12).
- Total payroll is over 2.3 billion.
13Oregon Producer Demographics
- 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 Oregons farms in
the future?
14Oregons Farm/Ranch Demographics
- Full-time Operators
- Todays 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 Oregons 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!
15Diversity of Production
- Over 220 commodities produced in Oregon.
- Helps create greater stability throughout the
industry over time.
16Segments in Oregons 3.8 Billion Ag Industries
Diversity of Production
17Oregon Leads the Nation in the Production of
- Grass Seed
- Hazelnuts
- Christmas Trees
- Peppermint
- Caneberries
- Sugar beets for seed
- Crimson clover
- Red clover seed
- Herbs, dried
- Potted Florist Azaleas
18Commodities Ranked by Value of Production (2003)
- Nursery/Greenhouse 777.6 million
- Cattle Calves 429.8 million
- Hay, all 365.7 million
- Grass Seed, all 291.7 million
- Milk, all 272.1 million
- Wheat, all 199.8 million
- Christmas trees 158 million
- Onions, all 108.3 million
- Potatoes, all 106.6 million
- Pears, all 72.2 million
Source Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service
19Oregons Top 10 Agricultural Counties (2004)
- Marion County 518 million
- Clackamas County 354 million
- Washington County 252 million
- Yamhill County 242 million
- Umatilla County 235 million
- Linn County 230 million
- Morrow County 211 million
- Klamath County 182 million
- Malheur County 171 million
- Polk County 124 million
20Oregons Top 10 Agricultural CountiesProduction/
person 2003
- Morrow 15,298
- Sherman 12,154
- Gilliam 9,178
- Harney 7,894
- Lake 7,069
- Wheeler 5,566
- Malheur 5,451
- Wallowa 4,755
- Tillamook 3,593
- Grant 3,401
Sources USDA OR Ag Statistics Service
Population Research Center, PSU
21Agriculture is One of Oregons Most Important
Exports-- Traded Sector / new into state
- 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 Portlands total tonnage of
exports is agriculture.
22Agriculture is One of Oregons 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
exportsreach 1.83 billion. - Japan 1, followed by Korea, China, Canada
and Mexico.
23Value Added
- Over 1.5 billion in value added through food
processing statewide with much of this centered
in the Portland and Salem Metro areas.
24Food Processing
- Multnomah County leads Oregon in food processing
with more than 24 of the states 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.
25Natural Resource Message Stewardship of Oregons
Agricultural Land and Water
- 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 lt10,000
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
26Agriculture 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 Oregons harvested crops.
27Irrigation by County
- 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
28Natural Resource Management
- 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.
29Identifying the real consumer trend can be
difficult.
What do consumers want?
30Consumer Trends
- One year ago, approximately 10 of the U.S.
population was on a low-carb 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.
31Renewable Energy Opportunities
- New ways to utilize the natural resource base
- Wind
- Biofuels
- Biomass
- Biogas (digesters)
- Solar
- Micro-hydro
- Geothermal
32Renewable Energy Benefits
- 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
33Wind 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
34State-level Initiatives
- 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
35Community Message
- 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. - 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.
36Community Message
- Oregons 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.
37Building 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
38Research 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.
39OECDD Workgroup on Innovations in Natural
Resources
- Purpose
- to develop a technology-based economic roadmap
that identifies economic opportunities for the
states core research competencies related to
innovation in natural resources and sustainable
technologies. The roadmap must focus on the four
industry sub-clusters 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.
40Examples 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.
41Uniting Agriculture Through Education
- AUDIENCES
- Industry, Public, Government, Education
System/Teachers - MESSAGES
- Economic, Environment, Community
42Oregon Agriculture Education is the Key to
Industry Unity and a Prosperous and Viable Future