One of the most comprehensive reviews of farmland protection in Oregon is now published, written by Edward J. Sullivan, head of the Land Use and Real Estate Practice at Garvey Schubert Barer, and Ronald A. Eber, known most recently for serving as an Agricultural Lands policy specialist for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development from 1976 to 2008.  Entitled, “The Long and Winding Road:  Farmland Protection in Oregon 1961-2009,” the law review article has been published by the San Joaquin Agricultural Law Review, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2008-2009 and is available to read at the included link.

The article is dedicated to Hector Macpherson, for his vision and commitment to the preservation of Oregon’s farmland.  Hector Macpherson is known as the “father of land use planning” in Oregon.  He served as a farmer, county planning commission member, State Senator and member of the Land Conservation and Development Commission for over 40 years and has undoubtedly shaped land use planning in Oregon.

The article explores the unique protection Oregon has afforded its agricultural economy and farmland base for the past fifty years through tax incentives and development restrictions.  It also shares thought-provoking insights into the difficulties faced by any community’s efforts to protect farmland  because “…the protection of agricultural land and the containment of sprawl challenges America’s love affair with land.”

Tags: Department of Land Conservation and Development, farmland, Hector MacPherson