Global Warming Impacts on Oregon Agriculture
Many farmers and ranchers are seeking tools to reduce their own global warming impact and thereby play a role in slowing global warming.
Oregon agriculture will be significantly impacted by global warming. Agriculture is arguably more closely linked to the climate than any other industry. Global warming’s effects on agriculture will include reduced water supply, changed growing seasons and conditions that may require different crops, and increased crop pests and diseases.
While unpredictable weather is all in a day’s job for Oregon’s agriculturalists, few want to deal with even more uncertainty. A growing number of farmers and ranchers are seeking tools to reduce their own global warming impact and play a role in slowing global warming. The Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University hosts a Climate Friendly Farming program that helps farmers develop and implement agricultural systems and practices that mitigate global warming.
The Oregon Environmental Council is linking farmers to these tools and sharing developing solutions for the future, like CalGon Dairy’s methane digester. In July 2007, OEC worked with several wineries to host a workshop on global warming for the wine industry, out of which developed a Carbon Neutral Challenge for wineries. On October 12, 2007 in Pendleton OEC hosted The Pacific Northwest as a Climate Hotspot: What It Means for Oregon Agriculture as part of our Forum for Business and the Environment series. Speakers discussed the practical impacts of global warming on agricultural operations and recent findings and best practices from Washington State University's Climate Friendly Farming project. Contact Allison Hensey, OEC's program director for Healthy Food & Farms to learn more.
