12/31/07 Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. The year 2008 will bring both major challenges and tremendous opportunities for Oregon agriculture, according to one of the state's top ag officials. Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba is an optimist going into the New Year. She says food safety and agricultural marketing will continue to be key issues, but also believes there will be a major emphasis on how farmers take care of land, water, and air. COBA: I think for 2008, that's going to be the key- the focus on the environment in Oregon and agriculture's contribution to improving the environment or, in some cases, concern about agriculture's impact on the environment. Land use will once again be part of the conversation. Five of Oregon's top six ag counties are in the Willamette Valley, where most of the population growth is taking place. COBA: So how we maintain a viable agricultural economy on some of the best soils in the U.S. here in the Willamette Valley and have population growth- it's what we've been struggling with on the ballot with Measure 37 and Measure 49. That will continue to be a big issue for us. Coba says agriculture has some good stories to tell when it comes to natural resource protection, food safety, and providing a good product for consumers. She says 2008 may be an excellent time to engage the non-agriculture population in a conversation about the industry's future and gain greater appreciation for farmers, ranchers, and processors throughout Oregon. Coba says the industry has the challenge and opportunity to engage the public on the importance of agriculture and to gain support. COBA: We certainly see related to this issue of where your food comes from and a desire to purchase product locally. In order to do that, we need to produce product locally and that requires land and water availability for producers. Coba says more attention seems to be paid to agriculture with record high prices for various commodities and ag's involvement in renewable energy production. Now is the time to engage the public in an effort to gain more support for the industry. COBA: I think we're in an unprecedented time for agriculture in Oregon and the U.S. Agriculture needs to be aggressive about taking advantage of this opportunity, and I think we're seeing that happen. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.