Published July 24th, 2025.

In an attempt to address concerns around farm stand permits after a failed house bill, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development is proposing a number of regulations that will hurt small family farms. The proposed rules will restrict agritourism activities and require additional permitting, costs, and red tape for farms and farm stands. Oregon has already lost over 2,100 small and medium farms in the last five years. According to 2023 USDA data, 84% of American farm households rely on off-farm revenue sources to stay afloat. Government agencies should be looking to support farms in generating on-farm revenue, not restrict them. The state of Oregon does not need to dictate what small, family farms offer the public on their private property. Advocacy groups are trying to mislead the public by saying that the rules will only apply to new/growing farm stands when the rules will actually usher in new compliance and regulations for all existing farm stands.

Here is a great local article that summarizes the issue in detail.

Here is a link to some of the current proposed DLCD rules.

You can contact the Oregon DLCD at this email: farmforest.comment@dlcd.oregon.gov. Here are talking points to use in the email to express your opposition to the proposed DLCD rules and to emphasize support for agritourism, farm stands, and farm events.

1. Small, local farms are under more pressure now than even before. Introducing restrictions on farm stands, farm activities, and farm events will make it more difficult for existing farms to operate and for new farms to open.

2. Small, local rely on additional revenue sources from agritourism, farm stands, and farm events. In fact, 84% of American farm households rely on off-farm (not agritourism) income to stay afloat. The State of Oregon needs to make it easier for farms to generate additional on-farm revenue, so farmers do not need to look to off-farm work.

3. Oregon has already lost over 2,100 small and medium farms in the last five years. We need to come together to strengthen local food systems and support small farms to stay in business.