Biennial Report 98 - Agriculture in Oregon

Oregon agriculture is a dynamic, vibrant industry that continues to expand and evolve. Despite these changes, the Oregon Department of Agriculture remains committed to a mission statement that has served the agency well this past decade:

To ensure food safety and provide consumer protection;
To protect the natural resource base for present and future generations of farmers and ranchers, and
To promote economic development and expand market opportunities for Oregon agricultural products.

As Oregonians move towards a new millennium, ODA will continue to work hard in serving the mission and achieving its goals.The three broad policy areas of the mission statement are interdependent. Without a strong and healthy natural resource base-particularly land and water-there is little or no agricultural production to promote and market. Without assurance that the food produced in Oregon is safe, there is little chance that many agricultural products will be of interest to potential customers.

Embedded in ODA's mission and goals is a set of core values:
Honesty, integrity, and fairness;
Technical and professional competence;
Respect for people and property;
Practical approaches to problem solving, and
Service oriented.

The core values guide the actions of ODA employees as they carry out the mission of the agency. ODA's mission, goals, and core values are consistent with the agency's balancing of industry regulation versus industry promotion. The Oregon Department of Agriculture continues to be a partner with industry as well as protector of consumers. It is a model that has allowed us to launch ourselves into the next century with a track record of credibility and service to Oregon.

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