It has been estimated that agriculture uses approximately 86% of all water in Central Oregon.  Municipalities use 2% and the rest stays in rivers and streams.  These figures omit water from private wells, but regardless it is clear that agriculture uses most of the water.  As our planet heats and extreme weather becomes normal, a closer look at water use is warranted.

Every 5 years the US Department of Agriculture publishes a nationwide farm census with data down to the county level.  Farms include growers of crops and livestock.  The latest data is from 2017, the 2022 census will be released in 2024.  According to the census, Deschutes County had 1,484 farms.  The average size was 91 acres, but the median was 11 acres.  If you remember your arithmetic, you know this means that hundreds of farms were well under 11 acres.  1,315 farms, 89% of the total, had revenues of less than $10,000, and the average farm lost $12,866.

Crook County had 620 farms with an average size of 1,290 acres and a median of 40 acres.  380, or 61%, had revenues less than $10,000, with an average net income of $7,408.  Even Jefferson County had eye opening numbers.  397 farms with an average size of 1,997 acres but a median of 80 acres.  216 farms, or 54%, had net income less than $10,000 with an average of $31,281.

Less than half the farms, in some cases far less, in all 3 counties had net incomes indicating they are hobby farms.  Doing something that generates a net income of less than $10,000 a year is not sustainable primary employment.  It’s a hobby.

These numbers should concern all Central Oregonians, but they are likely underreporting hobby farms.  Most agricultural users get their water from one of eight irrigation districts, collectively organized as the Deschutes Basin Board of Control.  The DBBC has 7,653 “patrons”, mostly farms, but also some schools and parks.

Let’s assume the DBBC serves 7,500 farms.  The 2017 census says there are 2,501 farms, including livestock, in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. The census definition of a farm is “any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year”.  So, where are the missing approximately 5,000 patrons?  The logical conclusion is they are irrigation district patrons that have less than, and normally have less than, $1,000 in revenues a year.   Hobby farmers.

Without a doubt, all of us have the right to pursue the hobby of our choice if it does no harm.  Unfortunately, harm is being done.  Our rivers, lakes, fish, and wildlife are suffering, groundwater levels are dropping, real agriculture is unable to get sufficient water to meet their needs, and taxpayers are massively subsidizing all irrigation district patrons regardless of how the water is being used.  Taxpayers are paying almost all the cost of canal piping.  Dramatic property tax breaks are given to exclusive farm use zoned parcels, even if they do not qualify as a farm according to the Department of Agriculture. 

As stated on Central Oregon Irrigation District’s website, settlers were encouraged to travel west with the promise of “free land in Oregon, in the richest grain, fruit, and stock section in the world”, the only cost was fees to the irrigation district.  What salesmanship!  That world never existed but water continues to be governed as if it does, including water allocation and use rules established well over 100 years ago.

Real agriculture is important, but our local economy is diverse and primarily driven by people attracted to Central Oregon for the outdoor lifestyle.  Shouldn’t water use support our current economy and rules governing its use be forward looking?  Why should taxpayers provide massive support for hobbies?  Perhaps most important, we are facing a climate crisis and can no longer afford the waste.  It’s time for fundamental change.