Oregon
Governor signs bill to help Oregon farm stands flourish; chief sponsor Breese-Iverson celebrates improvements
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek joined Oregon farmers, advocates, and legislators at Topaz Farms on Sauvie Island on Wednesday to commemorate the signing of House Bill 4153, a bill from this year’s legislative session that protects existing farm stand permits and gives farmers new options to support the long-term success of their farms.
“Oregon’s family farms are the backbone of our rural economies, and this bill will help them adapt and succeed,” Kotek said. “This new law gives certainty to farmers who diversify their revenues through agritourism and on-site sales while still preserving and honoring the farmlands that make Oregon special.”
The law creates an optional permit for farms that want to open a small farm store on land zoned for farming. It also provides clearer guidelines for agritourism activities such as farm tours, educational exhibits, hayrides, and seasonal events while ensuring these uses serve as a supplement to farming activities, not a replacement.
“Agriculture collectively provides the largest economic impact to Oregon. It is the foundation of our state,” said the bill’s chief sponsor, state Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville). “This bill is a true example of what happens when ag champions come together for the industry and Oregonians. Signing HB 4153 into law secures a future for family farms in Oregon.”
Breese-Iverson said the new permit overcomes the limitations of the previous law, which in many cases could prohibit family-friendly structures, require strict income caps, and not allow educational events.
Under the new law, she said, a farm operation will be allowed to sell farm products, offer local goods from other producers, and host limited agritourism events such as pumpkin patches, corn mazes, flower festivals, and farm tours at their farm store.
The Central Oregon lawmaker says the bill gives counties modern, clear, and enforceable rules to regulate access, egress, parking, hours of operation, noise, sanitation, and public health and safety. The bill prohibits using a farm store as a residence, hotel, café, or drive-thru.
HB 4153 was developed though a robust process with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the governor and her advisory staff, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Oregon Property Owners Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, Association of Oregon Counties, and farmers across the state.
Topaz Farm co-owner Kat Topaz said, “At a time when most of us feel helpless, everyone together made this bill happen. It would have never passed without the overwhelming support from the public.”
“Oregonians want to connect with farms and the farmers who grow their food. So many advocates made this happen: lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Farm Bureau, the Association of Counties and of course, the governor, who has been a huge supporter from the start.”
Others who joined the ceremonial signing include state legislators and representatives from the Oregon Farm Bureau, Travel Oregon, the Oregon Property Owners Association, the Association of Oregon Counties, Plumper Farms, Frog Pond Farm, Packer Orchards, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, and former State Senator Betsy Johnson.
Governor Kotek signed the legislation on a Topaz Farm picnic table that was surrounded by letters she received from students in Lincoln City who supported the legislation because of the enrichment opportunities available to them on farms in their region.
The law takes effect on Jan. 1, providing time for farmers and counties to learn more about the updated framework.
A small Oregon farm town is transforming into a major tech hub with numerous A.I. data centers.
Hillsboro, Oregon, a former farm town, is experiencing a significant A.I. data center boom, becoming a major tech hub. Residents are concerned about rising electricity costs and noise, leading to backlash. State lawmakers are now pausing tax breaks and investigating the data centers’ impact on the community.
Participating Breweries and Their Beers:
Arbor Lodge Rarität HefeWeizen (citrusy hefeweizen), 5%.
A hefeweizen style beer dry hopped with Deep Cut Cascades, Azacca, and Cashmere to provide Mandarin/grapefruit flavors below the banana esters. Great with a zest of lime or orange.
Baerlic Why Rye? (rye lager), 5%.
Description to come
BearKat Cascade Berry Lager (wheat lager), 5.1%.
American wheat fermented with lager yeast and a light marionberry addition on the cold side, hopped with Deep Cut Cascades.
Block 15 Devil’s Staircase (Pacific Northwest pale ale), 5.7%.
Pacific Northwest pale ale featuring Crosby Deep Cut Cascade, Crosby Estate Comet, and Chinook.
Breakside Untitled (American pilsner), 5.3%, 31 IBUs.
Contemporary American pilsner with Crosby Deep Cut Cascade.
de Garde Deep Green (dry-hopped spontaneously-fermented ale), 5.5%.
Barrels of spontaneously fermented wild ale aged 3-5 years, brewed with Oregon malt, raw wheat and aged Oregon hops, then dry-hopped with ‘Deep Cut’ Cascade from Crosby.
Evasion Liberty at Risk (Anchor Liberty Ale homage), 6.3%.
An Anchor Liberty tribute APA/IPA with Deep Cut additions at 30 minutes, 45 minutes, whirlpool, and dry hop.
Ferment Forest Gnome IPA (Belgian IPA), 6.8%.
A unique and enchanting IPA featuring Deep Cut Cascade hops and a yeast strain little-known in these parts (Imperial Gnome
Heater Allen American Zoigl (traditional American lager), 5.5%, 30 IBUs.
American amber lager made with corn adjunct Oregon-grown Goschie Farms Promise malt.
Kings and Daughters Sentinels of the Sea (IPA), 5.7%, 60 IBUs.
American Style IPA featuring Deep Cut Cascade CGX, Crosby Estate Grown Chinooks, and Indie Strata.
Occidental Northwest Pilsner (hoppy pilsner), 5%.
Pilsner dry-hopped with Crosby Deep Cut Cascade.
Steeplejack Homeslice McGee (WC Pale), 5.6%
West Coast pale ale with Deep Cut Cascades and Mosaic hops.
Sunriver Green Label, Deep Cut Version (American pale ale) 5.6%, 40 IBUs.
Classic APA with Crosby Deep Cut Cascade T-90 and NUVO CGX, including Oregon-grown Goschie Promise malt for a clean and balanced palate with grapefruit, pine, floral, and citrus.
Von Ebert Predicting the Past (Australian XPA), 5.3%.
Aussie-style XPA with Deep Cut Cascade, Citra Cryo, and Chinook. Notes of Sweet citrus, complex floral notes, papaya, and baking spice.
Wayfinder Same Same but Different (pale mild), 4.3%.
A British-style golden mild ale with Deep Cut Cascades and Crosby CGX.
Where to Find Them: Tap Takeover Events
Oregon Homegrown beers will be featured at five tap takeover events across the state, giving drinkers the chance to try multiple collaboration beers side by side:
• The BeerMongers — Portland, May 27
• Bridge & Tunnel — Astoria, May 29
• TopWire Hop Project — Woodburn, June 6
• Bier Stein — Eugene, June 12
• River’s Place — Bend, June 16
More information at celebrateoregonbeer.com.
About Crosby Hops
Crosby Hops is a family-owned and vertically integrated hop grower, processor, and merchant based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Sourcing from their fifth-generation farm with Estate Grown varieties and longstanding independent growers across the globe, the company provides discerning brewers access to a diverse selection of the finest hops on Earth.
About Imperial Yeast
Imperial Yeast was founded in 2014 with the goal to support brewers worldwide. Their passion for yeast and fermentation has only grown since they opened their doors in Portland, Oregon and in 2020, they opened our production facility in Philadelphia, PA to better serve East Coast customers.
About Celebrate Oregon Beer
Celebrate Oregon Beer is dedicated to establishing Oregon’s reputation as one of the world’s premier beer regions. Founded in 2024, the organization is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit. The organization has the support of the Oregon Brewers Guild and Oregon Hop Commission, and its Board of Directors is composed of brewery owners and hop growers.
Watch the sights and sounds from past Oregon State Fairs
The 160th Oregon State Fair runs from Friday, Aug. 22, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.
The Oregon State Fair has added more big names to its 2026 Columbia Bank Concert Series lineup.
The newly announced performers include country singer Nate Smith on Aug. 28, legendary surf rock group The Beach Boys on Aug. 29 and country artist Jo Dee Messina on Sept. 4.
The lineup joins other acts previously announced, including BigXThaPlug, who performs Aug. 31, and R&B singer Black, who performs on Sept. 1.
The 2026 headliner will be comedy musician “Weird Al” Yankovic, who will close out the concert series Sept. 7 as part of his “Bigger & Weirder” 2026 tour.
Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Weird Al’s Labor Day performance is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Oregon State Fair said additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks that will take place during this year’s 11-day event in Salem.
How can Oregonians purchase concert tickets?
Concert tickets are available only through the official state fair website via FunCard at https://oregon.funcardapp.com/. Fair organizers warned visitors to avoid unauthorized sellers and scam ticket websites.
Officials also reminded fairgoers that concerts are held rain or shine. Umbrellas are not allowed inside the L.B. Day Amphitheater, though ponchos and blankets are permitted.
The fair runs from Friday, Aug. 28, through Labor Day, Sept. 7, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval is a lifelong Oregonian who covers trending news, entertainment, food and outdoors. She can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
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