The Oregon Natural Resources Report - Agricultural News from Oregon

Ashland eyes property tax for watershed

Ashland Considers Tax Increase for Watershed Thinning
By Natural Resource News Note,

Ashland city officials may raise property taxes to help fund the Ashland Forest Resiliency Project. The goal of AFR is to thin wildfire fuels on 7,600 acres of U.S. Forest Service land above Ashland, which includes portions of the city’s watershed. The project was launched in 2010 with unexpected federal economic stimulus funds totaling $6.5 million. About $1 million is available for AFR from the sale of timber recently helicopter-logged from the watershed. However, $4 million is needed to complete the work.

Oregon strawberry farms at risk

Water damage is hitting nearly 30% of some local Oregon strawberry farms. The problem is due to a warm weather spell followed by unusually long spell of showers. Watch the KGW-TV 8 news clip.

Onion Farmer settles $150,000 Sexual Harassment Case

Oregon Onion Farm Settles in Sexual Harassment Case
By Oregon Family Farm Association

River Point Farms in Hermiston, Oregon settled in a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit for $150,000 and agreed to implement other relief measures. The case was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of a seasonal female worker who faced repeated verbal abuse from a male supervisor from 2005 to 2010. The worker reported being fired in 2010 by the supervisor who blamed her for her husband’s arrest after he tried to kill her. A press release by the EEOC states, “It is imperative that employers deal swiftly and effectively with harassment,” said EEOC Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo. “Likewise, employers cannot make the problem go away by punishing the employee who reports harassment. We are pleased with the settlement and the fact that River Point Farms is taking action to prevent future occurrences of sexual harassment and retaliation in its workplace.”

Wood product prices fall hard

By Rick Sohn,
Umpqua Coquille LLC

Zillow’s average home value is up $10,000 from its 2011 low. Building permits broke 1 million, finally, and unsold inventories are at a 7-year low. Interest rates may be starting back up, but are still historically VERY low. Seven-year trend of lumber, logs, housing, and mortgage statistics are shown below.

Interpretation

Washington Gov. signs wolf bill, Farmers fight label law

Legisletter for May 23, 2013
By Washington Farm Bureau

The May 23, 2013, edition of Washington Farm Bureau’s Legisletter is now available. Articles include the following:

- “Special” Session Drags On
- U.S. Senate Committee Advances Immigration Reform Bill
- Washington Farm Bureau Votes to Oppose Initiative 522
- Governor Signs Helpful Wolf Management Bill
- Members of Congress Launch ESA Working Group
- Workers’ Comp Reform Reminder
- Hastings Cosponsors Bill to End “Hot Goods” Practice
- Agricultural Career Education Offered for High School Students
- Save the Date for WPC Health Care & Small Business Conferences

Key senator predicts immigration bill passage

By Daily Digger
Oregon Association of Nurseries

Schumer predicts immigration bill will pass soon

The Senate’s bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill — also known as the “Gang of Eight” bill — will pass by July 4, predicted Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) — one of the bill’s architects — on Sunday. However, some House members are predicting that the Senate bill will not get anywhere in the House. Still, proponents hope passage of the Senate bill would put pressure on House members to act in some way.

GMO farming attacks becomming absurd

By Cindy
National Corn Growers Association

Recent attacks on biotechnology (or “GMOs,” for those who don’t like big words) have reached a fevered pitch. And like anyone with a fever, one can expect a bout of hallucination, or seeing things that aren’t quite there. Did Russian President Vladimir Putin threaten war over GMOs? Do GMO cucumbers cause (pardon the expression) genital baldness? Is Kraft Macaroni and Cheese made from GMO wheat? And what about those Indian farmer suicides?

None of these urban legends appear to be true.

Putin?

Cucumbers?

Mac and cheese?

Farmer suicides?

A blogger recently posted a list of “Nine Things You Should Not Post on Facebook.” I recommend this for anyone who wants to be more active in social media, especially No. 1.

Replacement Dwelling Bill Moves to Senate Floor

By Oregon Farm Bureau

Replacement Dwelling Bill Moves to Senate Floor

A bill supported by Oregon Farm Bureau is moving to the floor of the Senate for a vote. HB 2746 passed out of the Senate Committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development yesterday. The bill was amended to address a technical concern. The bill would allow some homes that do not qualify currently to be replaced. These are homes that have fallen into disrepair by suffering roof damage or had internal plumbing or electricity removed. It also makes deferred replacement of a home transferable to family members. To qualify, taxes will be needed to be paid for five years on the home before an application for replacement is filed.

OFB anticipates this bill to pass and be signed by the Governor into law.

Settlement reached between ranchers & wolves

By Oregon Cattlemen’s Association

The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) has been involved in settlement talks beginning in 2012 in efforts to resolve the lawsuit and the injunction filed on October 5, 2011 which enjoined the lethal take of wolves involved with chronic depredation of livestock in Oregon. The Oregon’s cattle industry has invested over $250,000 and countless volunteer hours in wolf related research, education and this litigation since the migration of wolves to Oregon. OCA engaged in this case to ensure fair representation of the ranching community in Oregon’s wolf management policy. OCA is content with the settlement that was finally reached on Thursday, May 23rd.