A Radical Shift From Protecting Farm Land for Farm Use
House Bill 4153 — the Farm Store Bill
This bill will impose a radical shift in Oregon’s legacy of protecting farmland for farm use. The “Farm Store Bill” was crafted by special interests behind closed doors. Of the more than 1500 public comments submitted, 70% were in opposition including those of Friends of Polk County.
Those in favor seemed not to know, or be unwilling to acknowledge, that farm stands, wineries, agritourism events and other commercial and recreational events are already allowed on EFU land.
iStock/Bruce Peter Morin
House Bill 4153 was passed on a bipartisan vote in the short 2026 legislative session. The bill requires counties to offer large (5,000 to 10,000 square feet!) permanent, multi-use structures for non-farm retail products, food and beverage service sales, and unlimited events on agricultural (EFU) land, while eliminating the previous safeguards that ensured that agriculture remained the primary use of the property.
Commercial destinations such as this require significant, up-front capital costs (out of reach for struggling farmers looking for an additional source of income) that could turn EFU zones into a pay-to-play system. That would undermine farming while prioritizing retail commercial development. Well financed commercial entities could easily take advantage of lower tax assessments to buy up less expensive farmland to develop retail outlets and event venues without ever intending to seriously engage in agriculture.
In addition, HB 4153 eliminates the former “good neighbor” analysis required for agritourism permits to ensure that non-farm activities do not negatively affect other farms around them.
Meanwhile many of our rural towns, surrounded by farms and forestland, are mere shadows of the once vibrant social and commercial centers they once were. They are begging for retail and commercial activity while offering the “already there” infrastructure — streets, parking, electricity, gas, sewer, water, etc. — as well as a whole town full of consumers.
We at Friends of Polk County who opposed the bill will continue to work to protect our finite soil and water resources and to preserve our farmland for future generations.