Small Farms Coordinator Maud Powell urges review of land-use barriers to agritourism in Jackson County

Maud Powell, Small Farms Coordinator at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, told the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on March 31, 2026, that the center’s Small Farms Program is expanding beginner-level farmer education and sees growing interest in agritourism — but local land-use rules and permitting costs are limiting farmers’ ability to host rental units, build additional structures or operate farm stands.

Powell said agritourism can help keep small farms viable by generating supplemental income, but she flagged specific regulatory hurdles that often accompany common agritourism activities. She identified Type 1 land use application constraints and permitting costs as barriers and also expressed concern that some farms are shifting toward hosting events rather than focusing on agricultural production.

Powell said the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center is planning an Agritourism Summit in collaboration with Southern Oregon Travel and invited the county commissioners to attend. Commissioners Rick Dyer (Chair), Randy Sparacino and Colleen Roberts each expressed interest in receiving future updates and additional information about the summit and the Small Farms Program.

The discussion touched on balancing protections for farmland with opportunities for supplemental farm income; Powell and staff discussed permitting and land-use trade-offs but did not propose any county action or ordinance changes during the session. The board recorded no motions or votes related to the presentation.

The work session opened at 9:00 a.m. in the Jackson Room and by audio/video conference and was adjourned by Chair Rick Dyer at 9:26 a.m. There was nothing for Executive Session.