Oregon is a vastly agricultural state that also depends upon the treasures of the earth for its economy. For one thing, the land in Willamette Valley owes a lot of its nutrients and minerals from the post Ice Age Missoula Floods, which had deposited rich earth from the areas of western Montana. The soil was substantial in supporting cash crops like potatoes, hops, apples, peppermint and other lesser fruits.

Oregon is also one of the major world hazelnut growing regions, producing and supplying at least 95% of the country’s demand for hazelnuts. Oregon is also known for wine production, with the state ranking at the top 3 among other states for most number of wineries.

The soil conditions and climate make Oregon be able to grow and support grapes that can be found in the French part of Alsace and Burgundy. Pendleton, up in Northern Oregon has land good for growing wheat. Oregon farmers have had success growing sheep, cash cattle, dairy products, poultry and eggs thanks to the suitable environment.

The forests of Oregon had also made the state a major timber producer and logging state. Recent disasters abounding the area (like forest fires) have cut down timber production though. Over harvesting and lack of forest revitalization had also put the forests in near extinction. Lawsuits over improper forest management has delayed help for quite a while. The forest industry had almost collapsed because of over harvesting and failure to maintain the forest. Effects can still be felt with the current unemployment boom in Oregon and contention issues between the urban part of Oregon and the rural part of it.

Oregon is also known for its salmon-fishing industries, with ocean fisheries reducing the upstream-traveling fishes in recent years. The salmon phenomenon draws strong tourism in the state. With whatever forests that are left, protect the waterfalls and lakes of national parks like the Crater Lake National Park.