Nellie McAdams ’07

Executive Director, Oregon Agricultural Trust

The average age of Oregon farmers and ranchers is near retirement, and most do not have succession plans. And despite Oregon’s land-use program, we have lost half a million acres from production in 50 years, some of it permanently to development. What happens to this land, these businesses, and our future agricultural entrepreneurs is uncertain in the decades ahead. Our statewide agricultural land trust, Oregon Agricultural Trust, envisions a future in which Oregon’s agricultural lands are protected and productive, and where farmers and ranchers are thriving. To reach that vision, we partner with farmers and ranchers to protect agricultural lands for the benefit of Oregon’s economy, communities, and landscapes. Our work includes permanently protecting land for agricultural use with working land conservation easements. We also support succession to either family or nonfamily members. And we support policy that helps protect agricultural land. Learn more at oregonagtrust.org.

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