Cider bill would eliminate 15-acre orchard requirement

Companies could produce fewer than 100,000 gallons of cider on Oregon farmland without locating near orchards under a bill that’s drawn fire for potentially disrupting agriculture. In 2017, Oregon lawmakers allowed cider manufacturers to operate in “exclusive farm use” zones as long as the companies own or contract with adjacent orchards.Such businesses must be on or next to orchards of at least 15 acres if they generate fewer than 100,000 gallons of cider a year and 40 acres if they produce more than that amount.Rep. David Brock Smith has sponsored House Bill 2355, which would remove the minimum orchard requirement for cider companies making fewer than 100,000 gallons a year.The owner of a 27-acre Coos County farm, Dan Pennington, testified Feb. 7 that it’s “inconceivable” for his “closed loop permaculture system” to devote 15 acres to an orchard because it’s highly diversified.