Gov. Kotek halts farmstand rulemaking amid farmer concerns

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A contentious rulemaking process has been put on hold after Oregon farmers aired their concerns about how it could impact their business.

Oregon Gov. Kotek announced today that the farmstand rulemaking process is on hold.

“I want to reassure farmers who have been anxious and frustrated about how proposed changes to existing rules regarding farm stand operations may affect their businesses that I hear you and am paying attention,” Kotek said in a statement.

“We can support local farm businesses while also preserving Oregon’s historic land use system. This is not an either/or conversation,” she said.

Kotek added that small and midsize farms rely on different business strategies. She called for more dialogue across different sectors and regions to help ensure financial stability.

“I have directed DLCD to pause the rulemaking process to allow for more conversations with all interested parties and the public on this really important agri-tourism issue,” she said.

In an update shared to its website, the Department of Land Conservation and Development confirmed the pause.

“The comments DLCD and the Governor’s Office have received are clear,” the DLCD statement said. “Oregonians care deeply about this complex issue and any potential unintended consequences of changing existing rules. The department looks forward to providing additional information in the near term.”

No timeframe was provided on the length of the pause.