Land and People in the Willamette Valley, Oregon:An exploration of community, agriculture, and land management strategy

This project seeks to provide a look into the history and evolution of the relationship between people and the land of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Through historical and anthropological research, methods of land management are described. Specifically, questions of agriculture and food production are the focus, with special attention given to ideas of community cohesion and resiliency. Information gleaned through interview provides stakeholder perspective on concepts of agriculture, local and wider community, responsibility, and education. These ideas are essential in discussion and planning for building community, food, and climate resiliency. A case study is brought forth in Rock’N’Wool Ranch, a family-owned operation committed to implementing sustainable and restorative agriculture. Through historical review, interview process and personal experience, I would propose the goal of regional transition of agricultural practice from current industry standards towards diversified systems of production as an aspect of a solution to bring about greater health of human and land, increased community cohesion, and restorative and resilient systems of food production better suited to weather encroaching the climate-related disaster events of our future.