Association of Oregon Counties

Association of Oregon Counties Established in 1906, the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is a statewide organization representing Oregon’s 36 counties.

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🎉Today’s County Spotlight: County of Morrow, Oregon!Established in 1885, Morrow County stretches from the rolling, irrig...
08/19/2026

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: County of Morrow, Oregon!

Established in 1885, Morrow County stretches from the rolling, irrigated plains along the Columbia River through dryland wheat fields and cattle ranches down to the forested Blue Mountains. Its economy encompasses agriculture, food processing, livestock, utilities, and recreation, with the Port of Morrow — Oregon’s second-largest port — serving as a critical economic hub. The SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture and Energy) Center at the Port of Morrow, an interactive visitor and museum center, provides hands-on exhibits highlighting the region’s local industries.

Morrow County provides year-round outdoor recreation — from fishing and water sports on the Columbia River to skiing and snowshoeing in the Umatilla National Forest and off-road riding along more than 300 miles of multi-use trails within the Morrow-Grant County OHV Park and Trail System.

that Oregon’s deadliest natural disaster and the second-deadliest flash flood in the United States happened in Morrow County? In 1903, a foaming wall of water roughly 40 feet high struck without warning, leveling two-thirds of Heppner’s homes and nearly the entire business district.

What’s your favorite spot in Morrow County?



Photo by: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

Gov. Tina Kotek’s Rebuilding Transportation Vision Workgroup has launched a public survey to hear directly from Oregonia...
08/17/2026

Gov. Tina Kotek’s Rebuilding Transportation Vision Workgroup has launched a public survey to hear directly from Oregonians about their priorities for Oregon’s transportation system. The survey will be available online until 6 p.m., Sept. 10. Feedback from the survey will help inform the upcoming recommendations from the Workgroup that will be delivered to the governor in December. Take the survey: https://buff.ly/Aey1CR3

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Gilliam County, OR!Established in 1885, Gilliam County is one of the state’s leading dryland ...
08/12/2026

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Gilliam County, OR!

Established in 1885, Gilliam County is one of the state’s leading dryland wheat-producing regions and part of the Columbia Plateau’s grain belt. Stretching from the Columbia River in the north to the base of the Blue Mountains near Lonerock in the south, the county’s landscape boasts geographical diversity, with elevations ranging from near sea level to over 4,000 feet. Beyond wheat and barley, its economy encompasses beef cattle, wind energy, solid waste disposal, and tourism.

Gilliam County is a destination for those seeking both small-town charm and outdoor adventure. Visitors can fish on the wild and scenic John Day River, hike and camp at Cottonwood Canyon State Park, or explore the county’s pioneer history along the Oregon Trail.

that the small town of Condon was home to two Nobel Prize winners? William P. Murphy won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1934 and Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954.

What’s your favorite spot in Gilliam County?



Photo by: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

Congratulations to our members who were appointed to leadership positions within the National Association of Counties by...
08/10/2026

Congratulations to our members who were appointed to leadership positions within the National Association of Counties by NACo President George Dunlap for the 2026-27 term. From public lands and transportation to health policy and agriculture, these county commissioners are bringing Oregon’s unique voice to federal policy development. Thanks for representing Oregon and advocating for essential county services! Learn more: https://buff.ly/qMuEgdf

• Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader – Midsize County Caucus
• Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas – Transportation
• Crook County Commissioner Susan Hermreck – Public Lands
• Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell – Health
• Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer – Justice and Public Safety
• Union County Commissioner Jake Seavert – Agriculture and Rural Affairs
• Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes – Public Lands
• Wallowa County Commissioner Lisa Collier – Public Lands
• Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai – Transportation

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Klamath County!Established in 1882, Klamath County is known for its high-desert landscape def...
08/03/2026

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Klamath County!

Established in 1882, Klamath County is known for its high-desert landscape defined by volcanic mountains, expansive lakes, and pine forests. The county's economy is anchored by agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, recreation, technology, and forest products. It is also home to Kingsley Air Base, a key training hub for F-15 fighter pilots.

Klamath County offers endless outdoor adventure, from Oregon’s only National Park — the stunning Crater Lake — to Upper Klamath Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Rocky Mountains, and the world-renowned Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Complex. Visitors can explore the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, enjoy world-class trout fishing, or hike through pristine alpine recreation areas.

that Klamath County is home to the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states and over 350 other bird species, and features the nation’s oldest birding festival in the west?

What’s your favorite spot in Klamath County?



Photo by: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Crook County!Crook County, established in 1882, features a dramatic landscape that transition...
07/30/2026

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Crook County!

Crook County, established in 1882, features a dramatic landscape that transitions from high desert sagebrush and juniper rangelands in the south to the pine-covered forests of the Ochoco Mountains in the north, all connected by the winding canyons of the Crooked River. The county's diverse economy includes forest products, livestock, manufacturing, wholesale trade, tourism, and agriculture, including hay, grain, mint, potatoes, and seed crops. A premier destination for outdoor adventurers and rockhounds, Crook County offers boating and fishing on the Prineville Reservoir, hunting in the Ochoco National Forest, exploring the county’s unique geological formations like Steins Pillar, and searching for rare finds like agate, jasper, and thundereggs.

that the horse races at the Crooked River Roundup attract the largest daily handle of any racetrack in Oregon and the largest average daily attendance of any track in the state?

What’s your favorite spot in Crook County?



Photo by: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

Oregon counties were well-represented at the National Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exposition in New Or...
07/28/2026

Oregon counties were well-represented at the National Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exposition in New Orleans! Commissioners, judges, chairs, and staff from 12 Oregon counties joined their peers from across the country to exchange best practices on a wide range of county responsibilities and domestic policy issues. Check out the full recap: https://buff.ly/Lh4awXr

The 2026 NACo Annual Conference in New Orleans is officially underway! It’s been a busy few days with the Oregon delegat...
07/19/2026

The 2026 NACo Annual Conference in New Orleans is officially underway! It’s been a busy few days with the Oregon delegation connecting with county leaders across the country, participating in educational summits and caucus meetings, and sharing challenges and solutions to critical policy issues. Here are some highlights from our time so far:

✅️ AOC members gathered practical tools and strategies to ensure settlement funds are used effectively to strengthen public health and support recovery in our communities at the pre-conference Opioid Settlement Summit.

✅️ Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson served on a panel focused on how counties can view and support childcare as essential economic infrastructure.

✅️ Our delegation engaged in policy steering committee meetings, discussing emerging federal policy issues and reviewing policy resolutions to shape NACo’s federal advocacy.

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Lake County! Established in 1874, Lake County is located in the "Oregon Outback" on the north...
07/15/2026

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Lake County!

Established in 1874, Lake County is located in the "Oregon Outback" on the northwestern edge of the Great Basin. With a large portion of its land managed by federal and state agencies, the county’s economy is primarily based on lumber, agriculture, cattle ranching, and government services.

Lake County features numerous unique geological formations and historical landmarks. Explore the ancient geological formations of the Crack-in-the-Ground, walk through the Lost Forest, or experience the wildlife-rich Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, where you can spot pronghorn, sage grouse, and bighorn sheep. The area is also a premier destination for rockhounding — notably for the Oregon sunstone — and outdoor activities ranging from soaking in Hunter’s Hot Springs to hang gliding and hiking the sand dunes in Christmas Valley.

that Lake County is home to the largest certified dark sky sanctuary in the world? Designated in 2024, the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary offers an excellent location for stargazing due to its minimal light pollution.

What’s your favorite spot in Lake County?



Photo by: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Union County!Established in 1864, Union County is situated between the Blue and Wallowa Mount...
07/08/2026

🎉Today’s County Spotlight: Union County!

Established in 1864, Union County is situated between the Blue and Wallowa Mountains, anchored by the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley. While the county’s early economy was built on mining, it successfully diversified over the years into agriculture (wheat, fruit, vegetables, and grass seeds), timber, light manufacturing, and technical-based business.

Union County offers year-round opportunities for outdoor adventures — from the Anthony Lakes ski resort and the scenic Minam River to the Umatilla and Wallowa–Whitman National Forests, there is no shortage of wilderness to explore. History enthusiasts can visit the 1912 Carnegie Library, the historic 1921 Union Hotel, or soak in the history of the Hot Lake Hotel, which dates back to the 1860s.

that the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show is regarded as the oldest livestock show in the Northwest, with a tradition dating back to 1908?

What’s your favorite spot in Union County?



Photo by: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

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