Pacific Northwest

An unusually diverse climate and landscape make the Pacific Northwest one of the most vital – and most threatened – farming regions in the country.

From the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest region is one of the most ecologically rich farming areas in the United States.

To the west of the Cascade Range, deep soils and a mild maritime climate produce a vast array of fruits and vegetables. East of the Cascades, rolling, arid hills grow much of the nation's wheat, potatoes, apples and pears. And the maritime waters themselves support a major shellfish and seafood industry.

Farming is integral to the Pacific Northwest's economy, environment and way of life. But it's also at risk. Urban development and sprawl are rapidly consuming some of our best farmland.

At the same time, farmers face intense environmental challenges – from protecting fragile salmon habitat to adapting to the uncertainties of climate change.

We must act now.

570,000 acres of farmland

in the Puget Sound – much of it threatened
300+ crops

grown in the Pacific Northwest
30 percent of the Pacific Northwest’s land area

is in farming and ranching
$2.2 billion

value of Washington apples sold annually (first in the nation)

Why are Pacific Northwest farms and ranches so important?

JOBS & PROSPERITY

The food and farming industry in Oregon and Washington employs nearly 400,000 people and accounts for nearly 15 percent of regional economic activity.
WILDLIFE HABITAT & BIODIVERSITY

Northwest farms and ranches provide critical habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, from migratory birds to endangered salmon.
THE FOOD WE EAT

The Pacific Northwest is one of the nation’s top producers of a multitude of crops and farm products, from fruits, berries and wine grapes to potatoes, wheat and seafood.
WATER QUALITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

Pacific Northwest farms and ranches provide a range of environmental benefits, from filtering drinking water and absorbing floodwaters to helping in the fight against climate change.

What are the challenges?

Development

The Pacific Northwest's best farm and ranch land is disappearing. Because farms are so easy to develop, and because global economic changes have made farming harder than ever, our farmland is at great risk.
Climate Change

The diverse crops of the Pacific Northwest depend on adequate water supplies and specific temperature ranges, which are projected to change and become less predictable due to climate change.
Threatened Salmon

Pacific Northwest salmon populations are threatened by many factors – from dam building and pollution to climate change. Farms are part of the solution to protecting salmon habitat but could benefit from assistance and resources.
Regional Food Security

Pacific Northwest farms grow all kinds of foods to feed the region, but need the right infrastructure to help them package and distribute the food for local populations – along with a protected land base.

AFT's ROLE

American Farmland Trust works to save the Pacific Northwest farm and ranch land that produces some of the best food in the world.

We help farmers and ranchers steward the land so that it continues to provide environmental benefits for all of us.

And we collaborate on initiatives that boost the region's ability to provide food for its communities.

In the Pacific Northwest, AFT:

Encourages better zoning and programs that permanently protect highly productive farmland, especially in the areas most threatened by urban sprawl
Pushes for funding to protect critical farm and ranch land – achieving a major increase in 2014 from $700,000 to $5.3 million in Washington, for instance
Improves habitat for endangered salmon by helping farmers restore riparian areas and address water quality issues
Works to develop a robust and sustainable food supply, with an emphasis on saving the land needed to grow local food

Our work would not be possible without you. Join us.