Oregon is one of the most diverse states in terms of agriculture in the United States. Learn more about this region and how it contributes to our food production.
Agriculture in Oregon is about as diverse as anywhere in the United States. Not many parts of the country can grow berries alongside hay and milk cows and raise beef and sheep too. And those are just a few of the aspects of agriculture in Oregon.
Throughout the entire state are amazing topographic changes that lend hand to the diversity of agriculture in Oregon. The eastern part of the state is much like the Rocky Mountain states of Montana and Colorado in that beef cattle and hay production are two common sights on very large ranches of hundreds of acres.
Alongside those ranches can often be horse ranches and the breeding of exotic animals like llamas and alpacas. These livestock play a role in agriculture from rounding up cattle on horseback to having llamas protect flocks of sheep from predators.
Through the west central part of Oregon is what is called the Willamette Valley. It runs from Eugene up north to Portland. This fertile valley grows an amazing variety of crops while being home to many dairy and sheep farms as well.
Around the Salem area south of Portland are farms that raise blueberries, marionberries, loganberries, raspberries and blackberries. Vineyards also dot the countryside giving fame to the many successful wineries in the area.
Beans, peas and other vegetables are in abundance in the Willamette Valley between Salem and Albany to the south. Also found in this area are more sheep farms and many horse ranches that blend in with the rural scenery,.
Along the south coast near Bandon and Port Orford is the famous cranberry production area. Oregon cranberries are known for their bright red color obtained from the mild climate of the area. A few berries are also found north of Tillamook along the coast but they are far fewer in number. In Bandon is the Ocean Spray receiving station which is able to handle large numbers of cranberries each harvest. Independent operations are becoming more common as well and building their own warehouses to handle berries.
Dairy production is the largest near Tillamook on the north coast. A large cheese processing plant manufactures famous Tillamook cheese along with great quality milk. The area is often hit hard by winter rain and wind storms leaving dairy cows stranded and sometimes with lost lives, but the dairy still flourishes in the area and also brings in tourists to see the farms.
In the Umpqua Valley south of Eugene lie fertile fields for livestock grazing and a great climate for growing wine grapes and strawberries. Sheep farms are plentiful in this area as are orchards that extend down toward the Medford area.
East of Medford and near Klamath Falls a few dairy farms are still scattered here and there. Alfalfa hay growing is big business there as well.
And finally, along the southern most tip of Oregon's coast is an abundance of Easter Lilies. Bulb farms dot this coastal area for the mild climate this region provides. Traveling throughout the entire state, a visitor will be fortunate enough to see many state's agriculture all rolled into one in Oregon.
