East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is proud to share that another treasured piece of farmland in Multnomah County has been permanently protected through our Forever Farm program. This working farmland easement ensures that the property—farmed for generations—will remain farmland forever.
A Farm at Risk
This farm has a long history of production, from decades of berries to more recent nursery crops. But its future was uncertain. An industrial solar facility had been proposed that would cover all the farmable ground. The property also could have been subdivided, paving the way for non-farm development. Without action, the land could easily have slipped away from agriculture entirely.
What Forever Farm Protection Means
By working with EMSWCD, the landowners found a new path forward. With the Forever Farm easement in place, the farm will always remain a farm—never converted to industrial use, never divided up for development. The nursery currently leasing the land can continue farming this valuable ground. And when the property eventually changes hands, it can only be sold to other farmers, keeping it in agricultural use for generations to come.
The protection also extends beyond the fields, too. A stretch of Beaver Creek runs through the property, where habitat restoration efforts will help improve water quality and support fish and wildlife. Importantly, the landowners were able to access some of the property’s value without resorting to selling it outright or leasing it to a solar operator—giving them both financial security and peace of mind that the family’s farming legacy will endure.
Amy Davis and Ann Vandehey, daughters of Alvin Carlson, reflected on how their father and grandfather farmed this land before them and shared how meaningful it feels to know it will remain farmland for future generations. “I was thrilled to hear we had an option for securing some value out of our property that didn’t mean converting it to an industrial solar installation,” said Amy Davis. “The District made us a financially compelling offer that addressed our specific objectives.”
Ann Vandehey added, “Our dad and grandfather had a long history of farming these properties, and it means a lot to us to know that their farming legacy will always continue.”
Standing with Farmers
The Multnomah County Farm Bureau opposes the siting of industrial solar facilities on productive farmland, and they see this outcome as a win.
“Multnomah County Farm Bureau opposes siting of non-agricultural solar panel facilities on productive agricultural lands and appreciates EMSWCD’s efforts to preserve this property for future generations of farmers.”
— Larry Bailey, President, Multnomah County Farm Bureau
EMSWCD Executive Director Kelley Beamer underscored the balance this project represents: “Our goal is to ensure that farms remain vital in our district. Our Forever Farm projects keep long-time farms going by keeping land affordable for the next generation. It’s a benefit not just to the families involved but to the entire farming community we serve.”
