Dear Department of Land and Conservation Development (Oregon) DLCD,

We are writing to express our strong interest in the Farm and Forest Modernization Rulemaking Program and to propose a specific direction for due consideration. The rulemaking program offers a unique opportunity to not only modernize existing farm and forest practices but to also create innovative pathways for rural development that are both socially feasible and ecologically responsible. Furthermore, it could help achieve CO2e mitigation parity with the present urban-focused Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) and Equity Communities (ECs) initiatives.

In particular, we urge the DLCD to explore advocating for a rule based on the One Planet Development policy that has been successfully codified and implemented in Wales for the past 14 years. This policy allows for the creation of small-scale (hectare size), place-based low-impact farmsteads in rural areas, to promote food security, economic diversification, and environmental stewardship, and just as CFAs and ECs are designed to foster sustainable and equitable urban development, the OPD model can help achieve similar goals on the rural side of the UGB.

Promoting agricultural and forestry viability: OPD's allowance for legalized sovereign-scale land-use innovation is especially important for the future of farming and forestry in Oregon. As the legislative demand for regenerative and sustainable practices grows there is an increasing need for localized land-based platforms that can support these approaches and needs. OPD can provide the framework for this by allowing for the creation of small-scale farms and agroforests that are managed using indigenous and regenerative practices.

Protecting natural resources: The model promotes ecological sustainability and incentivizes future developments to minimize their environmental impact through footprint analysis. It also incorporates on-going monitoring to ensure compliance and adaptive management based on ecological outcomes. Thus encouraging the adoption of regenerative practices to restore and enhance natural resources over time.

Enhancing rural communities: By creating opportunities for rural residents to live and work on the land, the model revitalizes rural communities and supports localized circular economies. The model can also help meet emissions criteria in CFAs by promoting clustered farmsteads (hectare@) that minimize transportation needs. This approach allows for the preservation of larger contiguous areas of farmland and forest, enhancing ecological connectivity and studied resilience.

By embracing the OPD approach, the Oregon we love can demonstrate its commitment to balanced and equitable development across both urban and rural landscapes, thus stepping into national prominence in this regard once again. We are confident that adapting the One Planet Development framework into Oregon's land-use legacy would be an invaluable addition to the Farm and Forest Modernization Program. We would be grateful and honored to have a discovery audience with you to discuss this proposal further and explore how we can collaborate to create a more sustainable and vibrant future for rural Oregon.

The future of the future is the present.

OPD testimonial: “The OPD policy has given me and my family a chance to live locally, to create meaningful work for ourselves and to build an affordable home in the area I was raised in.” --- Sioned Haf