Hi Erik,

Thank you for reaching out. I would be happy to provide you with some resources on water rights and insurance for your strawberry farm.

WATER RIGHTS -

There are two ways to determine if your property has current water rights, which you would need to irrigate any strawberries you plan to sell.

1. You can look up your property with the Water Rights Information Site: https://apps.wrd.state.or.us/apps/wr/wrinfo/ However, it is not always accurate and it is recommended to double check your details with your local Water Master

2. Your local Watermaster would be the person to contact in regard to finding out if you have water rights or not. Unfortunately, just because you have a well, does not mean you have water rights. If you intend to sale any of the product you are growing from the water being used on them, you will need to have water rights.

Linn County Water Master: <personal data hidden><personal data hidden>

*If you are further north or east in Linn County, contact:<personal data hidden><personal data hidden>

Here are a couple helpful articles related to Water Rights:

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/water/irrigation/why-do-i-need-water-rights-irrigation

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/donnelja/water-rights-and-water-law.pdf

INSURANCE & AGRITOURISM -

For the type of insurance you may need, it is recommended that you at minimum have Liability Insurance, often Farm Owner's insurance will include this. 

I've also included a link for starting an agritourism business (any farm operation that brings the public to your property) and another for farm owners insurance.

Agritourism Risk Management:

https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/smallfarms/agritourism-risk-management

General Farm Insurance Information: 

https://extension.psu.edu/farm-owners-insurance

STAY CONNECTED -

Our Regional Small Farm Network listserv is a great place to not only stay connected to our events, educational opportunities, and funding, but to post questions, or recommendation requests such as what insurance carrier people are using locally.

We also have a monthly Small Farms E-New that comes out where we share resources such as upcoming events, workshops, and grants for the Linn, Lane and Benton area.

If you would like to sign up for the Regional Small Farm Network listserv and/or the Small Farms E-News, please email <personal data hidden>

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with, don't hesitate to reach out.