Agency Plains facts for kids
Agency Plains is a flat, raised area of land, also known as a plateau. It is located in Oregon, United States, just north of the city of Madras. This special place is known for its rich farming history and beautiful views.
Agency Plains: A Special Place in Oregon
Agency Plains stretches about 10 miles (16 km) from north to south and 5 miles (8 km) from east to west. It sits about 250 feet (76 meters) higher than the east side of the Deschutes River. This makes it a great spot for farming.
Farming and History
The land on Agency Plains is very fertile, which means it's perfect for growing crops. This type of land is called arable land. Long ago, in the time of the homesteaders, families like the Gards, Campbells, and Ramseys settled here. They built their homes and started farms.
Before modern watering systems, called irrigation, came to the area, the plains were mostly covered in "dryland" wheat. This wheat grew without extra water from irrigation. Today, farmers grow many different kinds of "seed crops" here. These are plants grown specifically for their seeds, which can then be used to grow more plants or for other purposes.
Key Features and Nearby Areas
A main road, U.S. Route 26, cuts right through the middle of Agency Plains. This road helps connect the area to other parts of Oregon.
Just south of Agency Plains, there's another recognized area called Little Agency Plains. It's separated from the main plains by a small waterway called Willow Creek. Both areas are officially listed by the GNIS, which is a system that keeps track of names and locations of places in the United States.
