February 2009-Preliminary Reports Released
In partnership with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Yamhill County commissioned a study - The Yamhill County Agri-Business Economic and Community Development Plan - to look into the future for the County's agriculture and tourism industries. Yamhill County wants to ensure its local agriculture sector can continue to thrive - operate profitably, grow in place and contribute to community livability in all parts of the county. In reponse, a plan is being developed to promote cooperative regional economic and community development in order to establish and expand the essential businesses and sevice needed to support local agriculture.
While agricluture has been a mainstay of the local economy for over a century, Yamhill County's tourism industry is still comparatively new. The emergence of the wine industry and other new attractions are beginning to draw significant numbers of visitors - and many more are coming. Yahoo! Travel recently named the Willamette Valley as #6 in the Ten Top Hot Spots of 2009 - thanks to the cache of Yamhill Valley wine county. Locally and statewide, communities recognize the importance of this fast growing sector and its intimate connection to agriculture.
Three key elements of Yamhill County's plan - agriculture, tourism, land use - are addressed in the study. To date, Yamhill County has remained a series of compact communities in farm country, perserving farmland and nurturing a viable ag sector. Can today's picture be sustained? Key questions investigated in the study are:
- What is the current condition of Yamhill County's agriculture sector?
- What activities and businesses are necessary to support local agriculture?
- What is the current condition of local tourism?
- What activiites and businesses are needed to support the tourism sector?
- Are suitable sites available for agriculture and tourism support businesses?
The outcome for Yamhill County will be a better understanding of the challenges and opportunites which provide the platform to support the county's competiveness in agriculture and tourism sectors.
The publish date for the full report will be in June 2009. Below is a current list of the completed sections of the study.
 Agri-Business and Community Development Overview Report
 Agriculture Profile
Agriculture Stakeholder Interview Summary Report
Future of Agriculture
Tourism Stakeholder Interview Summary Report
Future of Tourism
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