Support Local Agriculture: Help Small Farmers Overcome Regulatory Hurdles!

Facing Immediate Challenges with SB85: SB85 is a new regulation that has halted the licensing process for our family farm. This legislation has been designed without consideration for the scale and impact of small operations, blocking us from opening this season.

Who is impacted? We are Neiffer Ranch, a local family farm based in Lexington, Oregon, who is disproportionately affected by the existing regulatory frameworks. These frameworks, while designed to mitigate environmental risks associated with large agricultural operations, fail to align with the realities of smaller farms like ours. The volume of poultry we process annually is not sufficient to pose a significant risk to water quality, especially given the ample amount of land we manage, which helps mitigate environmental impacts. The current permit requirements do not account for this disparity, placing an undue burden on us and risking our ability to operate and contribute to local food resources. This oversight threatens not just our farm, but the viability of small-scale agriculture.

What is at stake? The very survival of small farms like Neiffer Ranch is at risk due to disproportionately burdensome regulations. SB85, designed without considering the volume and scale of small-scale farms, imposes regulations that do not align with our minimal environmental impact. This misalignment not only threatens to render our $85,000 investment futile but also contradicts the development of rural communities. Adjusting permit requirements to reflect the true scale and impact of operations like ours is crucial. We need regulations that support development and allow us to contribute to local food resources, rather than unfairly penalizing small farms based on standards meant for much larger operations.

Why is now the time to act? The operational window for this season at Neiffer Ranch is rapidly closing under the current restrictions imposed by SB85. By revising the permitting process now, Governor Kotek has the opportunity to lead in supporting local family farms, aligning regulations with the real needs and scales of small farms. Your support by signing this petition is pivotal in driving change toward a more inclusive and proportionate regulatory framework that recognizes and fosters the unique contributions of small family farms.

Conclusion: By signing this petition, you are championing the survival and sustainability of small family farms. We value your support as we advocate for necessary regulatory changes that recognize and protect the unique challenges small farms face.

Thank you for standing with us!

Lara Neiffer | Neiffer Ranch Neiffer Ranch April 23, 2024

Sign Here to Support Local Family Farming in Oregon!