Title: Department of Land Conservation and Development : Farmland Protection : Farm and Forest : State of Oregon
Headings: 
Farmland Protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered "farmland"
How much farmland does Oregon have?
How much does agriculture contribute to Oregon's economy?
What threats are there to farmland?
How does the statewide planning program protect farmland?
What are the primary components of Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zoning?
Does Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zoning work?
Are new dwellings allowed in Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zones?
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Content: The capability of land for farming also plays a role in where urban development goes. The criteria in ORS 197A.320 and Statewide Planning Goal 14 for expanding an urban growth boundary include consideration of whether the land is high-value farmland. High-value farmland must be avoided to the extent practicable. Similarly, a decision to establish or amend an urban reserve must only include high-value farmland when no other options exist. Goal 14 also requires cities and counties to plan for growth in population and employment and that this growth is to be contained inside urban growth boundaries. Counties are not expected, or allowed, to plan for expected growth to occur outside urban growth boundaries. Containing growth inside urban growth boundaries reduces the pressure to convert farmland around cities to subdivisions, stores, and offices. What are the primary components of Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zoning? Counties apply EFU zoning to agricultural lands protected under Statewide Planning Goal 3. EFU zoning is based on local comprehensive plans, which are adopted in accordance with state requirements.