What's Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) Land?
What does Exclusive Farm Use mean?
Oregon has a very broad definition, and includes any land that has been or could be used for a wide variety of farm related uses. In Central Oregon to farm means to produce wheat, hay, potatoes, and mint. But our farms also include cattle ranchers, dairies, wineries, farm animal production like goats and chickens to even aquaculture.
Oregon has a very broad definition, and includes any land that has been or could be used for a wide variety of farm related uses. In Central Oregon to farm means to produce wheat, hay, potatoes, and mint. But our farms also include cattle ranchers, dairies, wineries, farm animal production like goats and chickens to even aquaculture.
Horse enterprises, bee keeping, 4-H projects, as well as turf and landscaping businesses are considered 'farming.'
From the large industrial farm to the hobbiest, Oregon sees value in what can be done with our rural lands.
From the large industrial farm to the hobbiest, Oregon sees value in what can be done with our rural lands.
Today, a vast number of specialty horticulture related projects are on the rise due to the 'eat local' and organics movements, as well as many businesses catering to landscaping and garden development.
Oregon’s EFU zoning provides for wise development while protecting our rural & farm land uses.
Oregon’s EFU laws have encouraged development where it makes sense while controlling sprawling subdivisions from leapfrogging across our rural landscapes.
Oregon’s EFU laws have encouraged development where it makes sense while controlling sprawling subdivisions from leapfrogging across our rural landscapes.
Those laws have protected farms, rural communities, and our state’s $12 billion agriculture and related industries.
Today, EFU zoned lands allow for very diverse uses:
EFU zoned lands allow even more diverse today than historically, with such businesses as agri-tourism, events such as weddings and gatherings, and rodeos.
EFU zoned lands allow even more diverse today than historically, with such businesses as agri-tourism, events such as weddings and gatherings, and rodeos.
EFU lands can also be developed as destination resorts, mines, schools, B&Bs, golf courses, and a myriad other uses, even solar power and wind utilities. The uses are extensive.
Some think EFU should allow intensive development.
Deschutes County has been exploring proposals to change the land use laws in Central Oregon to allow more intensive uses. Mainly these proposals would have allowed high-density housing.
Deschutes County has been exploring proposals to change the land use laws in Central Oregon to allow more intensive uses. Mainly these proposals would have allowed high-density housing.
What's at stake?
What happens when rural lands and farms are turned into high density subdivisions?
Sprawl: Poorly managed lands in other states has led to a checkerboard of subdivisions and housing, causing congestion, noise, traffic, garbage, and pollution.
Loss of regional character: Erosion of the rural & farming landscape and regional, rural character.
Loss of rural and farm lands: Loss of rural and farm lands: Re-zoning may take farm land out of production, at a time when the “grow and eat local” movement is thriving.
Escalating land values: Increase land values cripple new innovative and entrepreneurial farming uses.
What happens when rural lands and farms are turned into high density subdivisions?
Sprawl: Poorly managed lands in other states has led to a checkerboard of subdivisions and housing, causing congestion, noise, traffic, garbage, and pollution.
Loss of regional character: Erosion of the rural & farming landscape and regional, rural character.
Loss of rural and farm lands: Loss of rural and farm lands: Re-zoning may take farm land out of production, at a time when the “grow and eat local” movement is thriving.
Escalating land values: Increase land values cripple new innovative and entrepreneurial farming uses.
Incompatibility issues: Both farmers and residential neighbors may find the activities of the other troublesome.
Community wide effects: Re-zoning EFU land may jeopardize water quality, and there may be shortages, especially amid growing uncertainties relating to drought and climate change.
Community wide effects: Re-zoning EFU land may jeopardize water quality, and there may be shortages, especially amid growing uncertainties relating to drought and climate change.
Noise Pollution & runoff, traffic & congestion, and wildlife impacts: Though EFU land can already be used for many non-farm purposes, re-zoning could allow loud concerts, smelly industries, or other uses —with their accompanying noise, traffic, pollution and disruption of wildlife.
EFU designated land in OR is down to only 28% statewide.
Loss of farmland is a critical issue across the US. In Oregon, only 28% of our land base remains rural land uses.
Loss of farmland is a critical issue across the US. In Oregon, only 28% of our land base remains rural land uses.
Let's value Central Oregon's rural character
Intensive development and high density housing developments on farms, range, and ranch lands threatens the quality of life in our rural community.
The rural character and scenic values of Central Oregon are why most people choose to move here, and it is why many large and micro businesses are choosing to bring their economies here.
Do we really need to change our rural and agricultural land use rules?
Intensive development and high density housing developments on farms, range, and ranch lands threatens the quality of life in our rural community.
The rural character and scenic values of Central Oregon are why most people choose to move here, and it is why many large and micro businesses are choosing to bring their economies here.
Do we really need to change our rural and agricultural land use rules?