Statistics show about one in five rural workers employed in farming, forestry, and fishing nationwide held more than one job in 1996. Farming was the most common second job for blue-collar workers who moonlight. The numbers reflect what has been going on in Oregon. The largest share of rural jobs and employment gains has come from the service sector, just like it has in urban areas. ERS reports that for many farm households, the non farm rural economy is a critical source of employment and income.
Teachers are the most common of the multiple jobholders.
Mixing farming with another occupation is not confined to Western Oregon, even though most of the smaller farms are found in the Willamette Valley. Oregon's fast growing wine industry offers perhaps the best example of mixing and matching of occupations. And, it generally involves white collar workers. A lot of physicians, accountants, lawyers, and artists raise wine grapes. A prominent dermatologist in Douglas County spends his evenings and weekends tending the vineyard.