ABSTRACT
The Pacic Northwest region of the United States extends across three statesWashington, Oregon, and Idaho (Figure 5.1). Four agroecological zones can be dened within the region based on major climatic and agricultural characteristics: the coastal maritime zone, the irrigated crop zone, the dryland grain zone, and the livestock rangeland zone. Both Oregon and Washington contain all four zones, while Idaho contains all but the maritime zone. Average annual precipitation across the region varies considerably, ranging from 760 to 1,300 mm (30 to 50 inches) in the maritime zone to 150 to 815 mm (7 to 32 inches) in the dryland zone. More than 200 crops are commercially produced in the region; the best known agricultural products include Washington apples, dairy products, wheat, Idaho potatoes (also grown in Washington and Oregon), red raspberries, and vegetable, grass, and ower seeds. In this section we present a brief overview of each agroecological zone, including its major cropping or production systems and key sustainability issues.
