DLCD to postpone issuing proposed draft rules in the Secretary of State’s Bulletin for public comment at this time.
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) thanks those that have provided comment on the Farm Stand Rulemaking process. At Governor Kotek’s direction, DLCD is pausing this rulemaking to reassess next steps.
The comments DLCD and the Governor’s Office have received are clear. Oregonians care deeply about this complex issue and any potential unintended consequences of changing existing rules. The department looks forward to providing additional information in the near term.
Goal 1 (Citizen Involvement) helps ensure broad community engagement and is a foundation of Oregon’s unique comprehensive land use planning system.
Farm stands and the opportunity to learn about farming, support farmers, and maintain Oregon’s agricultural economy are values shared across the state. Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) members have provided invaluable guidance on concepts that will help inform any formal state agency rulemaking on this subject.
Governor Kotek released the following statement with this announcement:
“I want to reassure farmers who have been anxious and frustrated about how proposed changes to existing rules regarding farm stand operations may affect their businesses that I hear you and am paying attention. Visiting the diverse agricultural communities across our state during my county visits on the One Oregon Listening Tour reinforced my understanding of what it means to be a farmer. We are one state, and while at times we may disagree, we are all connected by the same goals.
“We can support local farm businesses while also preserving Oregon’s historic land use system. This is not an either/or conversation. We need to acknowledge that some of our small and midsize farms need to maintain or consider different business models to continue to deliver the agricultural products and working farms we all value in Oregon. New models for financial sustainability do not have to be at odds with our values.
“Dialogue is critical to coming together and building understanding across sectors, and across regions. I have directed DLCD to pause the rulemaking process to allow for more conversations with all interested parties and the public on this really important agri-tourism issue.”