East Oregon farm proposes farmworker housing project

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - A farm in eastern Oregon is looking to add a new housing development for 200 to 800 seasonal workers.

Morrow County is considering a zoning change that would allow the proposed site west of Boardman to house seasonal farmworkers.

Threemile Canyon Farms' property is currently zoned as Space Age Industrial. The farm is asking that the land be zoned for Exclusive Farm Use, which would allow the project to move forward.

The Morrow County Planning Commission will make its decision after its next meeting June 28.

Threemile Canyon Farms is owned and operated by R.D. Offutt Company, which is working on a deal to buy 66 acres from the city of Boardman for the housing project. The project would help recruit additional laborers needed for organic produce.