Oregon farmers and ranchers produce more than 230 types of agriculture products every year. Many of Oregon’s top commodities are seasonal and holiday favorites. The 2017 Census of Agriculture data provide a key for enjoying these quality products in the coming months:
- The end of summer is right around the corner. Take the next few weeks to enjoy tasty summer berries in your fruit salad with Oregon ranking No. 1 in the U.S. for blackberries, black raspberries, boysenberries, and loganberries. In 2017, more than 27,199 acres of farmland in Oregon were dedicated to berry farming. Oregon’s sweet cherries are a treat not to be missed, second in the U.S. in production, along with blueberries for which Oregon ranks third.
- Be sure to include tart cranberries (Oregon ranks third in production) and crunchy hazelnuts in your Thanksgiving meal plans. Oregon ranks No. 1 in the U.S. with more than 43,000 bearing hazelnut acres in 2017, an increase of 44 percent from 2012, with more than 25,000 acres non-bearing acres planted.
- If you’re in the western United States, your Christmas tree will likely come from Oregon, which leads the nation with over 4.7 million trees cut from 45,283 acres. The candy canes on your tree are likely made from peppermint grown in Oregon as the state ranks second in peppermint oil production.
- If you enjoy a prime rib meal during the holidays, know that cattle is Oregon’s largest commodity in terms of market value at over $977 million in 2017, according to Census results. Two Oregon counties, Malheur and Harney, are ranked eighth and 12th respectively in number of beef cows nationally.
- Spring brings Easter Lilies to your table! Oregon ranks third in the U.S. in bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers with more than 1,200 acres grown in 2017, with Easter Lilly bulbs grown in the Brookings, Oregon area.
- Nursery plants help decorate your yard and garden; they are the second largest market value commodity in Oregon. And Oregon-grown grass seed (No. 1 in U.S. production) will help get your yard in shape.
- A treat of rhubarb (Oregon ranks first in the nation) and strawberry (Oregon ranks third) pie adds a sweet touch to any Memorial Day remembrance event.
The total value of Oregon’s agricultural products were over $5 billion; of that, $84.3 million was from direct sales to consumers through places such as farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs (CSAs) – this is nearly double the $44.2 million sold in 2012. Oregon products are shipped worldwide with $2 billion worth of products exported annually, mostly to Pacific Rim countries.
Many thanks to the producers who completed their 2017 Census reports and continue to raise these products for our enjoyment! For more information about the Census of Agriculture and/or agriculture in Oregon, Census products recently released include the full report (PDF, 28 MB), State and County Profiles, Congressional District Profiles, and Watersheds Report.
