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Breweries show support to save Oregon agriculture
An initiative to help save Oregon farmland is being backed by US breweries and hop merchants in a bid to boost the sector.
The ‘Cheers to the Land’ campaign, which has been organised by the Oregon Agricultural Trust, returns for its third year on 12 October with the support of 13 breweries, a cidery and a kombucha maker along with sponsors: Loyal Legion, Yakima Chief Hops, Coleman Hops and Indie Hops.
Seven of those drinks created in support of the campaign will, according to local reports, be released in limited-edition cans featuring Cheers to the Land artwork, as well as being available at a select range of Oregon’s stores and bottle shops such as: New Seasons Market, Market of Choice, Zupan’s, The Bier Stein and Belmont Station.
The initiative, which calls on craft drinks producers to use Oregon-grown ingredients in their latest recipes to boost the state’s agricultural position, also includes a series of events including tap takeovers, beer releases and beer dinners taking place across Oregon between October and November to showcase the state’s wares.
Talking about the campaign, Oregon Agricultural Trust’s executive director Nellie McAdams said: “Cheers to the Land is a dual celebration of great Oregon beverage makers and their local suppliers, as well as a call to action for all craft beverage enthusiasts.”
McAdams explained: “As development continues to encroach on Oregon’s irreplaceable farmland, we must protect it and give opportunities to the next generation of farmers. So, let’s raise a glass to these innovative artisans and to the land that makes it all possible.”
In a statement about the campaign, the Oregon Agricultural Trust outlined how its goals were “to permanently protect Oregon farmland from development and keep it in agricultural production” and noted that “the average age of Oregon landowners is 60”.
The Trust also highlighted how fewer “than 20% of landowners have a succession plan” and confirmed that “between 2017 and 2022, Oregon lost 5.5% of its farms and 4% of its farmland” but that the Trust “has protected more than 29,000 acres of farm and ranch land, educates 500 farmers per year on succession planning, and has 44 projects in the hopper that would protect another 100,000 acres”.
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