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Abstract
Cattle ranches are unique American cultural icons. Unfortunately, ranching is also associated by some with the exploitation of natural resources and labeled an environmentally destructive activity motivated by greedy and neglectful livestock operators (Jacobs, 1991; Wuerthner, 1990). Some believe that livestock ranching is a major contributor to unsustainable land use practices in the western United States (Fleichner, 1994; Wuerthner, 1990). Even so, stereotypes and negative associations have been slowly evolving into a more positive correlation between agricultural lands and conservation of unique landscapes. Such changes are especially evident on privately owned lands where conservation easements and land trusts exist. These official programs and ranchers’ land stewardship management practices result in ranching being increasingly seen by researchers as a way to feasibly conserve open space and wildlife habitat (Huntsinger & Hopkinson, 1996; Wright, 1993). Cattle ranchers have also had to deal with problems caused by urban sprawl, population growth, large lot development, globalization, and market volatility (Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2000). According to the American Farmland Trust (2002), more than six million acres of the country’s farmland were lost between 1992 and 1997 to urban development. This poses a real problem for some ranchers who choose to continue ranching and affects the future survival of a traditional industry on local, state and national levels. In an effort to minimize the economic, social, and operational constraints imposed by both external (e.g., low market prices) and internal (e.g., lack of family involvement) environments, diversification into another commercial enterprise has been gaining favor among farmers and ranchers.
Parent Publication
Citation
Pêgas, Fernanda de Vasconcellos; Tynon, Joanne F. 2004. An Analysis of the Motivations of Oregon's Ranchers to Diversify into Agritourism. In: Proceedings of the Fourth Social Aspects and Recreation Research Symposium; 2004 February 4-6; San Francisco, California. San Francisco State University. 149-153
