07/21/08 Feeling Good About Farmers

Feeling Good About Farmers. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. How do you feel about farmers? Generally, we feel pretty good about farmers and ranchers and the contributions they make. Preliminary results of a new public opinion survey of 500 Oregonians has given some reassurance to those in agriculture that the public is generally on their side. HORNING: The survey really shows that Oregonians do respect agriculture. It's an industry obviously with challenges and we're working in a very complex environment. But Oregonians do appreciate the efforts of farmers and ranchers to manage a sustainable industry. Geoff Horning of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon says ag groups paid for the survey in hopes of finding out what the urban population really thinks about farming and ranching. One of the questions had respondents rank the most important industries to the Oregon economy: HORNING: There's obviously an understanding amongst Oregonians that agriculture is a huge component of the economic sustainability of the entire state. Outside of maybe technology, agriculture was rated across the board as the most important economic industry within the State of Oregon. The survey also showed support for protecting farmland from urban sprawl, for giving agriculture a priority for available water, and that domestic food is perceived as safer than imported food. One area of concern expressed by the public opinion poll is agriculture's use of pesticides. Horning says the survey was designed to find out what city folks think of agriculture in Oregon. HORNING: What this survey tells us is we're like any other business. We're trying to get a better understanding of what our customers want. In this case, that would be urban Oregonians because they are the ones who are buying and utilizing the product that our farmers and ranchers grow. Horning says one interesting survey result deals with protecting agriculture in Oregon from development and keeping land in ag production. More than half of the respondents say they are very concerned about conversion of farmland. HORNING: The urban sprawl development has been a big debate and discussion in this state for the last several years. Yet, it was refreshing to know that urban Oregonians do appreciate that farmland is important. So how do you feel about agriculture? Do you have any concerns? How about food safety? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject. Drop me an email with your comments to gmartin@aginfo.net. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.