Dr. Jones’s presentation on agriculture in the Rogue Valley
Dr. Jones’s presentation on agriculture in the Rogue Valley has provided me with valuable insights concerning the agricultural performance of the valley. Farmers grow numerous crops and rear different animals. Agriculture remains to be a core part of Jackson County. Over the past decades, the number of farms has increased. The number of farms increased by 1101 between 1969 and 2017. Surprisingly, the number of acres farmed has decreased from 514,544 in 1969 to 170,298 in 2017. These figures indicate that land in agricultural production in the region has declined considerably. According to USDA statistics, most agricultural land in Jackson County is used to grow hay. Other commercial crops include alfalfa, wheat, vegetables, and wheat. Pears are the most grown fruits followed by grapes, apples, and peaches. Relating to animal farming, most people rear cattle. Other animals raised include goats, horses, sheep, and hogs.
The Rogue Valley plays a vital part in the fruit industry, particularly with its large scale production of pears. In the entire country, there are only six major pear growing areas, with Rogue Valley being among the top. The other regions are Wenatchee, Yakima, Hood River, Mendocino & Lake Countries, and Sacramento Delta. The history of Rogue Valley pears goes back to 1885. Since then, the number of commercial orchards in the region has increased considerably. By the 1980s, over 24 types of pears were grown in the area. Land used for apples was removed and used for pears farming. These fruits regions do well because of the heavy clay soil. However, despite being a leading producer of pears, orchard acreage in Jackson County is declining. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Like in other areas, pests are a major threat to crop farming. As such, pesticide application is an essential part of agriculture. Farmers have abandoned older insecticides, which were more toxic. Currently, growers are using control methods that are less harmful to the environment. The main challenge of older pesticides is that they remain in the soil for extended periods, which in turn affects the subsequent use of the farm. Farmers are required to handle pests before the move to commercial orchards. Failure to control pests leads to county intervention.
The growth of fruits has led to the establishment of wine industries in the region. The number of wineries has increased from 3 in 1984 to 93 in 2018. Similarly, the number of grape farmers has increased by 169 between 1984 and 2018. Some of the current grape varieties are Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Viognier, and Chardonnay. However, grape farming has various challenges. The red blotch virus is a common disease affecting the growth of grapes since 2008. Additionally, wildfires have been a major challenge. They result in smoky wines. Consequently, they lower the wine quality leading to losses among farmers.
Hemp farming is another critical part of Rogue Valley agriculture. It began around 2015, and it has been low till 2018. In 2019, there was a rapid increase in registered hemp acreage. In 2018, the number of acres was below 17,500, which rose to over 52,500 in 2019. Water is a critical factor that influences the agricultural productivity of a region. Due to excessive use of pesticides, the quality of water in Rogue Valley deteriorated. Consequently, it affected the productivity of Rogue Valley. Due to the adverse effects, measures to improve water quality have been implemented. For instance, pesticide stewardship partnerships have been introduced.
Notably, I strongly agree with Dr. Jones’s analysis of the agricultural status of Rogue Valley. Besides, I have acquired vital information relating to Rogue Valley. For instance, he has provided a brief history of Rogue Valley agricultural productivity. According to Dr. Jones, pears have served as a vital agrarian pillar in the valley. Similarly, I agree with Dr. Jones’s statement. Indeed, I have interacted with people across the region who stated that pears had been their primary source of income for decades.
Further, Dr. Jones states that a large portion of the land is being used for hay growth. This is true, considering that cows are the main animals reared. Additionally, he has identified pest management as an essential activity. According to Dr. Jones, farmers have abandoned older insecticides in an attempt to conserve the environment. Likewise, farmers in other parts of the country have stopped using harmful pesticides, since it is a government initiative. However, this is not entirely accurate, considering that some of the current insecticides are harmful to the environment.
As indicated by Dr. Jones, I agree that water quality has been a significant challenge in Rogue Valley. This has been attributed to excessive usage of pesticides. Indeed, the government has implemented numerous monitoring systems. Dr. Jones has further mentioned the main challenges affecting grape farming. The red blotch virus and smoke resulting from wildfires have acted as the key issues affecting grape farmers. However, there are other minor challenges, such as sunlight, water, and temperature.
Dr. Jones’ presentation is linked with class readings though not directly. In the readings, environmental conservation is an important activity. Similarly, the issue of environmental protection has been addressed in Dr. Jones’ presentation. For instance, farmers in the Rogue Valley have abandoned older pesticides that are extremely harmful to the environment. Also, pesticide stewardship partnerships have been established to mitigate the pollution.
In summary, Dr. Jones has highlighted vital aspects relating to agriculture in the Rogue Valley. Some of the main issues addressed in the presentation include the agricultural history of the region, pears, grapes, apple, and cattle farming. Some of the challenges include red blotch virus, water quality, and wildfires. I strongly agree with Dr. Jones’s analysis of agriculture in the valley. His presentation links with class readings, particularly in aspects of environmental conservation.