If you look just a little deeper, you'll see people who run these companies and small businesses. It is always hard and sometimes risky work. You will see families running farms that are third and fourth generation. Some of these small businesses and larger companies are part of Oregon's agricultural history. According to Oregon Agriculture: Facts and Figures, when ranking counties by gross farm and ranch sales, Marion County ranks #1 and Polk County is #10 out of Oregon's 36 counties. In the 2003 national rankings, Oregon agricultural production ranked #1 in 14 commodity categories, second and third in another 16 categories. In gross sales, Marion County ranked #1 in greenhouse, nursery and cane berry categories.

You could fill pages bragging about contributions the agriculture industry of Marion and Polk Counties make to our state's economy. One of the fastest growing agricultural industries in Marion and Polk Counties is the nursery and greenhouse industry. This industry, by sales value was #1 in Oregon agriculture with a total of $779 million in 2003. Oregon leads the nation in production and sales of shade trees, conifer evergreens, flowering trees and Christmas trees. We rank second in numbers of operations producing broadleaf evergreen and transplants for vegetables and strawberries, but tied for second for total value of production and for fruit and nut plant sales. The growth is proven out by information in the 2003 Oregon Nursery and Greenhouse Survey which represents gross sales and operations trends from 1990 - 2003. It shows one operation in business in 1990 and over 2,044 in 2003, with 76 of them having sales over $2 million. We now have a thriving business, Agri-Plas, which recycles nursery pots and trays, as well as millions of pound of plastic twine each year.

Now that we've taken a closer look at agriculture in Marion and Polk Counties, step back a little and look at the broadness of agriculture. What many call the "ripple effect" to the region. With gross farm sales from Marion and Polk Counties leading the state, there are hundreds of small and large businesses helping provide goods and services to support this industry. Agricultural businesses spend millions of dollars on equipment, fuel, fertilizer, irrigation, insurance, tires and many other goods each year. Property taxes and payroll taxes are other ways agriculture infuses money into our economy. Agri-tourism in Oregon is also on the rise, bringing more outside dollars to local and state economies. Our grass seed industry is a leader in the nation. The grass straw hay that is exported from Marion and Polk Counties exceeds more than 400,000 tons to China, Thailand and other Asian countries. According to the Columbia River Channel Coalition, Marion County is the #2 shipper through the Port of Portland of all NW counties. Which indicates that most monies infused into our state's economy by agriculture is new money from outside the country.

With all that, one of the most significant things agriculture provides us all is quality of life. Take a ride sometime off the beaten path and enjoy the sights and diversity of Marion and Polk Counties biggest industry. On those hot summer days and rainy days, the agricultural businesses keep right on working. Take some time to appreciate how lucky we are and what we have. The values it provides us of community and it spirits of hard work, independence and family.

Katy Coba, Director of Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, always says, "It's all about agriculture".
At a recent planning session, the Woodburn Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors reached a unanimous decision to work closer with agricultural industry businesses. The Woodburn Chamber will hold industry focus discussions in 2005 with industry members to get their ideas for what role the Chamber can play to help agriculture businesses sustain themselves and grow.