Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Yamhill County economy, and the county’s primary industry. But today over 20,000 acres — 10% of the county’s farmland — is subject to a Measure 37 claim. That means less soil for growing fruits, nuts, berries; and hay, silage, field and grass seed, and nursery and greenhouse crops.

Yamhill County is also the center of Oregon’s booming wine industry. Thirty six wineries represent the largest concentration of wineries in any Oregon county and produce the greatest number of award-winning wines in the state. Paving over Oregon’s valuable farmland for poorly-planned housing subdivisions represents a serious threat to these valuable and growing local industries.

(Sources: McIntyre, Jo. May 18, 2007. "Forum raises water questions Residents concerned over Measure 37 attend meeting," Captial Press. http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?SectionID=67&subsectionID=618&articleID=32352&Q=29857.35 ,accessed 7/6/2007.; Oregon Blue Book: Yamhill County: http://bluebook.state.or.us/local/counties/counties36.htm; PSU/IMS database: Larson, Carolyn (2006-195, M13269601), Russel Creek Road, Yamhill, 502 acres, zoned farm-forest mixed use and other., Intent: 500 one-acre residential lots., Claim status: pending.)

(Caveat Emptor: Information provided according to most recent data available from public agencies and is not guaranteed to reflect up-to-the-moment status of individual claims.)