How do Oregonians feel about agriculture? A recent public opinion survey by Conkling, Fiskum & McCormick revealed opinion trends on a number of issues, from water use to pesticides to organic farming. The Oregon Department of Agriculture outlined several of the most significant results in a press release. Among those results, a strong majority favors agriculture having access to water for irrigation, but some 77 percent are concerned about the impact fertilizers and chemicals could have on water quality and human health. The Agri-Business Council of Oregon sponsored the survey in preparation for the upcoming Keeping Ag Viable campaign, which will be designed to educate urban Oregonians in particular on the role, importance and practices of agriculture.

“If we are going to develop a campaign to engage urban Oregonians on these key issues, we need to better understand what they really think about water quality, quantity, and pesticide applications,” Geoff Horning, council executive director, stated in the ODA press release. “There is no indication that the public is digging in its heels on certain issues. There is a good opportunity to change perceptions and public opinion.”

The Capital Press (Salem, Ore.) recently covered these survey results, including a comments from the pollster.