Oregon’s countryside is a popular destination for tourists, with bucolic farm stands dotting the Willamette Valley and beyond. However, as crowds grow denser, some farmers are seeking to limit the impact of agri-tourism on their businesses.
The proposed rule-making process aimed to regulate what can be sold at farm stands, but public outcry has put it on pause indefinitely. Farmers are concerned that the rules would harm small and mid-size operations, making it harder for them to compete with larger farms.
The 1000 Friends of Oregon nonprofit organization, which advocates for responsible land-use planning, participated in the rule-making advisory committee. However, after a bill was sponsored by the Oregon Property Owners Association aimed at expanding what can be sold at farm stands, the discussion focused primarily on farm-stand regulations.
One Yamhill County farmer, Sid Friedman, expressed concerns about the cumulative impact of agri-tourism activities on farmland prices. He stated that it’s driving up the cost of land and making it difficult for farmers to compete with commercial venues.
The Land Conservation and Development Commission was expected to release a draft rule on September 1, but public feedback led to Gov. Tina Kotek ordering a temporary pause on the rule-making process. The organization behind the proposed rules, 1000 Friends of Oregon, is open to the rules disappearing if it means protecting Oregon’s valuable farmland.
The issue highlights the tension between farmers’ desire to develop their land for tourism and the need to preserve the state’s agricultural heritage.
Source: https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/business-development/2025/08/14/oregon-ditches-farm-stand-rule-changes-after-public-outcry