Letter to the editor teaser graphic (close-up)

It is certainly concerning that we are seeing a loss of farmland and many family farms closing at unprecedented rates across Oregon and the United States. One of the major factors driving this loss is the consolidation of our food system through the rise of factory farms.

Oregon is now home to some of the largest mega-dairies in the U.S. as well as dozens of beef feedlots, which have a huge impact on our family farms and communities. Analysis from Food & Water Watch of the United States Department of Agriculture 2022 Census of Agriculture data shows that in 2022 Oregon had fewer than half as many family-scale dairies as compared to 2002 — a net loss of 620 dairies. In the last year alone, the Census reported 126 fewer family-scale dairies across Oregon.

Decades of declining farm income hit smaller farms the hardest. They face the pressure to “get big or get out.” Expand their farms and adopt the factory farm model, or leave farming altogether. These corporate factory farms hurt not only our local family farmers, but have a documented history of contaminating our air and water.

However, despite the known risks to local communities and family farmers, Oregon regulators continue to grant permits to new and expanding factory farms. To address how corporate consolidation is putting our Oregon farmers and rural farmland at risk, the Oregon Legislature must enact a moratorium on new and expanding factory farms.

Aimee Travis

Portland