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FACTS

Although trappers had been in the area a quarter century earlier, the first permanent European-American settlement in present Coos County was made at Empire City by members of the Coos Bay Company in 1853, two years after the settlement of Port Orford in Curry County. According to the Coos-Curry Historical Society, the name "Coos" was derived from a native Coos Bay Indian tribe and has been spelled in various ways. Two Indian meanings for Coos are "Lake" and "A Place of Pines."

The elevation ranges from sea level on the west to over 3,600 feet in the coast range near the Douglas and Curry County boundaries. The soils and rainfall make the coastal mountains among the most productive timber areas in the world. For more information about soils, consult the Soil Survey of Coos County, Oregon which is available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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CLIMATE

Coos County has a marine climate, mild and humid, resulting from the moderating influences of the Pacific Ocean and from the rainfall induced by the coast range. Rainfall along the coast averages about 80 inches a year increasing inland with elevation to as much as 100 inches or more at points in the coast range. Rainfall comes throughout the year with the least amounts in July and August. Rainfall data from Coquille shows that January, February, and March average 7.4 inches of rainfall each month. April, May, and June average rainfall is 2.7 inches each. July, August, and September average rainfall is 1.0 inch per month. October, November, and December average rainfall is 7.2 inches per month.

In Coquille, average maximum temperature is 55°F with a 36°F average minimum temperature in January, February, and March. April, May, and June average temperatures are 64°F and 43°F. July, August, and September averages are 71°F with lows of 48°F. October, November, and December averages are 60°F with lows of 38°F. Extreme high or low temperatures are rare.

From March through October the coastal area is subject to prevailing winds from the northwest. From November through February winds are mainly from the southwest.

The growing season averages 200 days along the coast and in the river valley areas and decreases with higher elevation dropping to about 150 days along the eastern boundary of the county. Dates of last frost in spring and first frost in fall are not very useful because of the cool, rainy climate. Average late frost date in spring is March 30, and average first frost date in fall is October 30.

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FARM LAND

There are 748 farms in the county, according to the 2002 Census of Agriculture. This is an increase from 369 farms in 1977. It is presumed that the increase in farm numbers is due to an increase in small acreage, part-time, hobby farms. They comprise 144,077 acres or 14% of the total area of the county. The average farm size is 193 acres. The most important agricultural commodities are dairy ($6.6 million), livestock ($6.7 million), farm forest products ($18.2 million), and cranberries ($9.4 million). There were 10,150 acres of land under irrigation in 1992. That total has increased in recent years to 10,911 acres in 1997.

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MARKETS & FEATURES

The Oregon Employment Department estimated that agricultural employment in Coos County averaged 450 workers and about 130 in Curry. Coos County manages to be fourth in statewide berry production, eleventh in dairy, and fifth in sheep production in Oregon even though it has only 14% of its land in agriculture.

The long favorable growing season allows cranberries to develop the deep red color prized for juicing.

An ice cream base plant processes milk from local dairy cows.

Specialty ornamental crops such as hydrangeas, rhododendrons, dahlias, and ornamental grasses are located on small acreage farms.

Coos and Curry Counties are fortunate to have some of the most productive commercial forests in Oregon. The mild temperatures and abundant rainfall on the middle and upper slopes of the coast range make this one of the fastest tree growing areas in the U.S.

Wool from the predominately Romney breed ewe flock is known for its quality and high yielding characteristics.

Fishing is a year-round activity in Coos and Curry Counties. Numerous rivers, lakes, and estuaries furnish ample recreational fishing opportunities. Ocean fisheries support a valuable commercial fishery and excellent recreational fishing from the ports of Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Bandon and Coos Bay/Charleston.

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EVENTS IN SOUTH COAST AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

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AGENCIES & RESOURCES

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