Farmer Backlog for Federal Credit Addressed but Serious Gap Remains National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition On July 28, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) transferred unneeded Guaranteed Farm Operating Loan (GOL) funds to two credit programs with higher demand – Direct Farm Operating Loans (DOL) and Guaranteed Farm Ownership (GFO) loans. FSA […]

USDA: Farmers Markets Growing in Number, Popularity 111 farmers markets currently operate in Oregon By Oregon Small Business Association The number of farmers markets selling fresh, locally and regionally grown produce grew significantly over the past year. According to the 2011 National Farmers Market Directory recently released by the U.S. […]

Mandatory Boat Inspections Begin in Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife SALEM, Ore.—Motorists hauling boats in Oregon are now required to stop at boat inspection stations to have their watercraft inspected for aquatic invasive species under a bill signed into law by Gov. John Kitzhaber on Aug. 2, 2011. Failure […]

President Obama is hosting a series of public forums in rural America. Throughout the tour he has been confronted about burdensome regulations. The President basically dismissed concerns, blaming lobbyists. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association WASHINGTON – During U.S. President Barack Obama’s bus tour through rural America, a common theme of overregulation […]

Forestry officials warn of extreme fire danger in central Oregon Oregon Department of Forestry Wildfire is often in the news in central Oregon at this point in the summer. But so far it has been an afterthought. That is expected to change soon, with the onset of extreme fire conditions […]

State Senator Jason Atkinson has debuted a video on the recovering politician blog. It shows an entire day of fishing. The setting is Montanna.

Oregon Forester Participates in White House Rural Economic Forum — Investment in sustainable federal forestry needed for economic growth American Forest Resource Council Peosta, Iowa – Tom Partin, President of the American Forest Resource Council, participated in President Obama’s August 16 Rural Economic Forum at Northeast Iowa Community College. Partin […]

Oregon farmers #1 nationally in having internet access By Oregon Department of Agriculture Oregon’s reputation as an early adopter of high technology and national leader in its usage is enhanced by the state’s farming and ranching community. Results of a new survey confirm that computers are just as important to […]

Press Release from Congressman Doc Hastings office regarding Redden Ruling for the Columbia River Power Systems: Congressman Doc Hastings, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings released the following statement regarding Judge Redden’s ruling on the federal biological opinion and fish recovery plan for the Federal Columbia River Power System:  […]

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration The Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced today that it has no intention of proposing new regulations governing the transport of agricultural products. The agency also released guidance designed to make sure state officials clearly understand exemptions that allow farmers, their employees and […]