Keep Large Commercial Interests Out of Farmland
Tell legislators to oppose HB 4153—the problematic “farm stores” bill
Oregon’s farm communities are facing conflicts due to rural sprawl, cannot afford to expand operations, and new farmers cannot access the land they need to get established.
House Bill 4153 proposes opening protected agricultural lands across the state to be used for the primary purpose of entertainment and hospitality activities.
We strongly support farmers’ ability to sell their products directly to the public through farm stands, and to host limited agritourism events that support farming—but HB 4153 goes much further and would create conflicts with working farms and ranches, drive up the cost of farmland, and invite nonfarm commercial interests onto land that’s meant to stay cheap and productive.
With a hearing happening on February 4, your written testimony now expressing opposition to HB 4153 will help ensure legislators know that keeping farmland affordable, supporting local food production, and protecting our state’s working lands is a priority.
How to Submit Comments:
1.) Copy the sample testimony below. If you have a personal story about operating an agricultural operation, please be sure to add that in.
2.) Go to HB 4153 Testimony Page
3.) Fill in your contact info and the relevant submission fields:
Skip the “on behalf of” box—you’re submitting as an individual.
For “Position on Measure,” select Oppose
Choose Text Testimony
Paste the text below and personalize it directly in the text box provided.
Include your name and where you live.
Feel free to add or remove points from the suggested testimony below.
Final Deadline for Submission: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 1 pm
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Dear Co-Chair Helm, Co-Chair Owens, Vice-Chair McDonald, and members of the committee,
I urge you to oppose HB 4153, which would require counties to allow large commercial stores on farmland, because:
The bill has no requirement that the farmer operate the “farm store,” which will attract outside capital investment and drive up the cost of farmland by opening up our Exclusive Farm Use zones to nonfarm hospitality business interests. Farmers grow food; they don’t run hospitality businesses.
Existing law already allows farmers to sell their farm products to the public, host educational events and activities like u-picks, and sell nonfarm retail items up to 25% of the farm stand’s total annual sales.
By removing “farm stands” as an allowable use in Exclusive Farm Use zones, the bill creates unnecessary new regulations for farmers who simply want to sell their farm products to the public.
The bill allows 95% or more of a “farm store” square footage to be used for retail merchandise and prepared food and beverages, with no connection to the farm where the farm store is located. This would allow commercial retail and hospitality activities as the primary use of farmland.
The bill creates confusion with existing laws that regulate agritourism, allowing weeks-long events and mass gatherings without any consideration of impacts to working farmers.
HB 4153 is too complicated and too controversial to be taken up in the short legislative session.
Sincerely,
[Your name + where you live]
When you are ready to add your comment, head here: