Oregon agriculture strives to provide equal opportunity, Jan. 16

The vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. included equality of all races when it came to pursuing a dream. Everyone should be free to seek the profession of their choice, including farming. Even though there are opportunities today for all racial or ethnic minorities, relatively few have made that choice. Less than five percent of Oregon’s 35,439 farm operators are classified as something other than white. The reasons for the low percentage can be traced to the nation’s past when it was especially difficult for minorities to own and operate a farm or ranch. “Oregon agriculture is color blind and we welcome anyone that’s interested in being involved in farming and ranching in this state,” says Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. As the nation celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this year, it should be noted that the low percentage of African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian-Americans farming in Oregon doesn’t necessarily have to stay that way. The latest Census of Agriculture reports only 105 black farm operators in Oregon, representing less than three-tenths of a percent of all Oregon operators. Nationwide, there are just 44,629 blacks operators out of the more than 3.18 million US farm operators– about 1.4 percent. Southern states report the highest number of black farmers with Texas recording 12,018. The Pacific Northwest historically has not been home for black farmers and ranchers, with only 130 residing in Washington and 37 in Idaho.