Something rare just happened in farm country, the people won.

After months of outcry from small farmers, Oregon quietly withdrew a proposal that would have added new restrictions on farm stands, citing overwhelming public opposition. It’s a major moment for food freedom and regenerative agriculture advocates who saw the plan as a threat to local food economies and direct-to-consumer trust.

What Happened

In early 2025, Oregon’s Land Use Board and Department of Agriculture floated a rule that would have tightened oversight on farm stands selling value-added goods such as jams, baked items, dairy, and meat.

The proposal sought to “clarify” what counted as a legitimate farm stand versus a retail business, but to many rural growers, it felt like bureaucracy disguised as consumer protection.

Quick Facts:

• 🗓️ Proposed: January 2025

• 🚜 Withdrawn: September 2025 after 5,000+ public comments

• 🗣️ Lead Agencies: Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development (DLCD) + Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)

• 💬 Main Concern: Restrictions on on-farm sales and processed goods

• 🌾 Outcome: Proposal officially dropped

“We just want to feed our neighbors, not file more paperwork,” said Marion County farmer Sarah Neves, whose 20-acre regenerative vegetable farm sells direct through a roadside stand.

Why Farmers Fought Back

For small and regenerative producers, the proposed language blurred the line between farm stand and retail store, threatening to push many under county zoning enforcement.

Advocates argued the change would:

• Penalize farms that rely on direct-to-consumer sales.

• Create new costs for compliance and inspections.

• Undermine diversified, regenerative farms that process food on-site.

Groups like Friends of Family Farmers and the Oregon Farm Bureau mobilized fast, urging members to submit testimony. Over 90% of public feedback opposed the rule.

Why the Proposal Was Dropped

According to the DLCD, the decision to withdraw came after “extensive stakeholder feedback and concern from the agricultural community.” Translation? Farmers organized, and the state blinked.

Lawmakers acknowledged that while modernization of land-use code might be necessary, the proposal’s language was overly broad and poorly timed — especially as small farms face post-pandemic inflation and drought.

How Oregon Compares to Other States

California

California allows on-farm sales under “Cottage Food Operations” and Farm Direct Marketing Acts, providing clear exemptions for small-scale regenerative producers.

Texas

Texas remains one of the most food-freedom-friendly states, allowing direct sale of nearly any farm product from the producer’s property — including raw milk and meat with minimal licensing.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s farm stand regulations are stricter, requiring separate food-processing licenses for many value-added goods, though a pending “Home Bakers Bill” aims to relax these.

Compared to these states, Oregon’s retreat signals a shift toward flexibility — recognizing that regenerative and diversified farms thrive when policy gets out of the way.

What This Means for Regenerative Agriculture

At its core, regenerative farming is about re-localizing the food system — restoring soil, community, and sovereignty at the same time. Over-regulation threatens that balance.

By dropping this proposal, Oregon preserved:

✅ Local Access — keeping farm stands open as community food hubs.

✅ Economic Resilience — allowing small farms to sell direct without added red tape.

✅ Regenerative Momentum — supporting diversification instead of industrial scale.

“Every dollar spent at a farm stand stays in the community,” said Jose Gonzalez, a regenerative rancher near Bend. “That’s soil wealth — not shareholder wealth.”

The Bigger Picture

This victory may be local, but it echoes nationally. Across the U.S., small farms are pushing back against one-size-fits-all regulations written for industrial operations.

Farmers are asking:

• Why are we punished for selling real food directly to neighbors?

• Why do safety rules designed for multinational processors apply to a 10-acre market garden?

• When will policy finally align with soil health and community health?

The answer may depend on states taking Oregon’s cue — listening before legislating.

Viva La Regenaissance!

-Ryan Griggs