Socially Responsible Family Farmers & Ranchers

The socially responsible family farmers and ranchers of Oregon identify with and are defined by many, or all, of the following attributes:

• They are actively farming or ranching at a scale that is appropriate to their land and family unit

• The primary producer is, or working towards, obtaining the majority of their livelihood from the land, while taking on the majority of the financial risk

• The family unit is making all of the management and operational decisions and the primary farmer is involved in the daily running of the business

• The family unit is providing the majority of the labor; if outside labor is needed, the farm provides fair wages and good working conditions

• The farm, ranch, and related business, is embedded in their community

• The farm/ranch is substantially contributing to their local and regional economies

• The agricultural practices performed on their land are humane and ecologically sound, providing animals with a high quality of life while enhancing the soil, air, water and wildlife

• A family farming operation evolves to accommodate each new generation of farmers

• Diversity and resilience are represented through a variety of plant/animal genetics, farm products and the agricultural ecosystem

• The farm and ranch products are qualitatively differentiated based on flavor, nutrition, production methods and geographic location

• The status quo is not working in their interest and they do not feel that they have representation within the current agri-political system