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Northeast Oregon has a lot of strengths. They include a low crime rate, plentiful and diverse species of trees, the educational hub that is Eastern Oregon University, natural beauty and so on. Another of its strengths might soon be agri-tourism.
For years we’ve been losing young people to higher paying jobs in the cities. Now it’s time to begin attracting some of those people back. Sure, it might not be as long-term residents. But it could at least be as agri-tourists. There’s a reason so many city residents hanker for gardening space or to raise animals. It’s their deep down ties to the land.
The agri-tourism thrust is part of Union County Tourism’s campaign to bolster that part of the economy. Union County Tourism encourages farmers and ranchers so inclined to add an agri-tourism component to their operation to enhance profits and long-term sustainability of the business.
Ranch owners, for example, can take in guests at a bed and breakfast. This will help offset the costs of running the operation. Guests, sometimes families of several generations, are treated with good western hospitality, eat some wholesome, tasty foods and get a closeup look at what a working ranch is all about. They might even get their boots dirty and dirt under their fingernails.
Guests could also enjoy other treasures many ranchers take for granted. For example, many ranches offer prime fishing and hunting opportunities, whether that is with a rifle, a camera or just seeing wildlife in its natural habitat.
At this critical juncture in our economic future, it’s important to consider all the options that will make the area prosper despite the intense challenges currently facing us. Agri-tourism is just one more way to add diversity and strength to the economy. When the economy begins to rebound, we need to be in a position to promote economic development, and most likely that will be spurred by tourism. It’s one more way to strengthen the footing of a couple of our traditional industries, agriculture and tourism.
Across the nation 50 acres of farmland per hour are being lost to development. Fortunately, Oregon’s strong land-use laws have preserved adequate farmland, which can now host visitors from the city for a one-of-a-kind vacation opportunity. The steps farmers have taken to preserve soil and water will come back to benefit them in the agri-tourism mode.
A window of opportunity is opening for agri-tourism. Of course, it takes a certain type of people-loving person to want to host visitors on the farm. But it can be a win-win situation for both the farmer and the tourist. Local ranchers and farmers should look into adding user-friendly agri-tourism components to their operations. It could make the difference of keeping the family farm in the family. And it could mean a rich harvest, when the economy rebounds.
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Opinion 
