Oregon is taking a controversial approach to water conservation and groundwater protection by targeting small farms and market gardens. Yanasa TV, a project of Yanasa Ama Ventures shared a 20-minute video that details what local bureaucrats are up to. Using satellite technology, they are sending cease and desist letters to small farmers, requiring expensive infrastructure upgrades. This crackdown has led to significant legal battles, as small farmers struggle to comply with the new regulations. Here’s what they had to say about this troubling development.
Legal Definitions Redefining Small Farms
Oregon has redefined confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to include nearly all types of small farms. This new definition encompasses any facility with a concrete or gravel floor, significantly impacting small dairy farms, chicken houses, and goat farms. The stringent requirements threaten the viability of these small-scale operations.
Impact on Small Dairy Farms
Sarah King, owner of Godspeed Hollow Farm in Newberg, Oregon, exemplifies the impact of these new regulations. With only three milking cows on her 11-acre property, she faces a $100,000 infrastructure requirement to continue operating. This financial burden is unmanageable for small farmers, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the new CAFO definitions.
Broader Implications for Small Farmers
The redefinition of CAFOs affects a wide range of small farms, including those with minimal livestock. Even farms with gravel or rock floors for basic operations like shearing sheep are now classified as CAFOs. This broad application of the law puts nearly all small farms at risk of shutdown due to the prohibitive costs of compliance.
Legal Battles and Injunctions
Small dairy farmers and other affected groups have filed lawsuits against the state of Oregon, challenging the new regulations. Currently, there is an injunction on the CAFO definition, preventing its enforcement until the case is resolved in court. This legal battle underscores the contentious nature of the new laws.
Water Rights and Small Farms
Oregon’s water regulations also pose a significant threat to small farms. The state requires permits for using groundwater for commercial purposes, including irrigation. Farmers with small market gardens are receiving cease and desist orders, effectively shutting down their operations and threatening their livelihoods.
Case Study: Oak Song Farm
Christina Del Campo, owner of Oak Song Farm near Eugene, faces shutdown due to water rights issues. Despite operating for seven years and using minimal water, she received a letter from the Oregon Water Resources Department. The new regulations disregard small-scale irrigation, further endangering small farms like hers.
Invasive Measures and Monitoring
The state of Oregon is implementing invasive measures, such as installing meters on private wells to monitor water usage. These actions add another layer of burden for small farmers, who already struggle with the financial and operational challenges posed by the new regulations.
Impact on Food Production
The crackdown on small farms in Oregon has broader implications for food production and availability. Small farms play a crucial role in providing fresh, local produce and meats. Shutting them down reduces access to healthy food options for Oregon residents, raising concerns about food security.
Environmental Concerns and Small Farms
While the regulations aim to protect groundwater, many small farmers already practice sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. The blanket application of these laws fails to recognize the efforts of small farmers to protect the environment, leading to unnecessary and detrimental shutdowns.
Potential Spread to Other States
There is a growing concern that other states may adopt similar regulations, following Oregon’s lead. The outcome of the legal battles in Oregon could set a precedent, potentially leading to widespread implementation of these stringent laws across the country, further threatening small farms nationwide.
Justified or Government Overreach?
The new regulations in Oregon have put small farms in a precarious position, facing financial burdens and operational shutdowns. As legal battles continue, the future of small farming in Oregon remains uncertain.
Do you believe that Oregon’s regulatory actions against small farms are justified in the name of environmental protection, or do they constitute government overreach? Let us know in the comments.
