Josephine County has long been defined by two industries—agriculture and timber. These industries built the foundation of the local economy, shaping the livelihoods of generations and creating a lasting imprint on Southern Oregon’s cultural identity. Yet today, both industries face distinct challenges that raise questions about their future. While agriculture struggles to adapt to financial uncertainty and shifting policies, the timber industry continues to navigate environmental concerns, economic fluctuations, and a long history of reliance on public land.
For local farmers, the past few years have been a rollercoaster. According to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, the total number of farms in Josephine County has declined, yet paradoxically, the amount of land dedicated to farming has increased. The county currently has around 605 farms, a 19% decrease from previous years, but the overall acreage in production has expanded to over 30,000 acres. This means that while some smaller farms have disappeared, others have consolidated or expanded, trying to make up for lost ground.
Financially, agriculture in Josephine County is seeing both growth and hardship. The total market value of agricultural products sold has surged by 120%, reaching nearly $38.4 million. At first glance, this might seem like good news, but the reality is far more complicated. Farming costs have skyrocketed—expenses related to land, equipment, labor, and water usage have climbed by 150%, reaching more than $51 million. The result is a troubling financial deficit, with the county’s overall farm income running nearly $10.9 million in the red.
And if these economic strains weren’t enough, local farmers recently took another hit when the Josephine County Commissioners voted to end funding for Oregon State University’s Extension Services. For more than a century, this program provided critical support to farmers, foresters, and ranchers through education, soil and crop research, and community outreach. Now, without that support system in place, many small-scale growers and agricultural workers are left scrambling for resources, trying to navigate increasingly complex regulations and market shifts on their own.
While farmers struggle to keep their land productive, the timber industry has its own battles to fight. For decades, timber was the dominant economic force in Josephine County, especially in the Illinois Valley, where dozens of mills employed thousands of workers in the post-war logging boom. By the 1980s, however, that boom was beginning to slow. Today, only one mill remains operational in the Illinois Valley, and timber production across the county has steadily declined.
The root causes of the timber industry’s decline are both economic and environmental. Modern technology has allowed for more efficient milling, reducing the need for labor. Regulations regarding logging on public lands have also become more restrictive, limiting access to large swaths of forest that were once essential to the local economy. In the late 1980s, Josephine County was receiving nearly $16.8 million annually from federal timber-related payments. Just ten years later, those payments had dropped to $9.6 million. Without that money flowing into county services, local government and public resources have felt the strain.
Despite these economic shifts, the timber industry still holds a significant place in Josephine County’s economy and identity. The Josephine County Forestry Department continues to manage approximately 30,000 acres of forest, balancing timber production with watershed preservation and recreational land use. But the industry also faces growing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. Clearcutting has long been a contentious issue, with environmental advocates pointing out that logged areas may take over a decade to return to a net-zero carbon balance. At the same time, Oregon’s state forests continue to generate millions of dollars in timber revenue, showing that logging, when done responsibly, remains a viable economic force.
So, what does the future hold for Josephine County? Agriculture and timber may be at a crossroads, but that doesn’t mean they are industries of the past. For local farmers, diversification could be key to survival. Exploring alternative crops, investing in regenerative farming practices, and developing local food markets may provide pathways toward profitability. Reestablishing partnerships with state and federal agricultural programs could also help offset some of the financial burdens farmers now face without the OSU Extension Services.
The timber industry, on the other hand, may need to embrace innovation and sustainability to remain competitive. While large-scale logging may never return to its past dominance, there is room for smaller, sustainably managed forestry operations that balance timber harvesting with conservation. If the county can find a way to support a timber industry that prioritizes long-term environmental health while still providing jobs and resources, it could strike a balance between economic growth and ecological responsibility.
Josephine County’s future is unwritten, but one thing remains clear—this community has always been defined by its resilience. Farmers and loggers alike have weathered boom-and-bust cycles, fought through economic hardships, and found ways to adapt in uncertain times. The path forward won’t be easy, but with a combination of innovation, policy shifts, and community support, both agriculture and timber could continue to play vital roles in shaping Southern Oregon’s economy for generations to come.
