By Daily Digger Oregon Association of Nurseries Nursery operators have long been strong backers of comprehensive immigration reform. Now, it appears that the president and members of both houses of Congress are getting on board as well. Democrats and Republicans alike have taken note of the Nov. 6 election results, […]

By Erik A Knoder Oregon Employment Department Employment in paper manufacturing in Oregon has declined for decades, but it remains an important industry in the state. Paper manufacturing provides about 4,700 jobs in Oregon, down from around 10,000 in 1976 (Graph 1). In 1976 paper manufacturing accounted for a little […]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Employer Guidance By Oregon Farm Bureau The link below provides an overview of the employer mandate contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the health care reform law – and the applicability of the mandate to agricultural employers. This overview is […]

Heat leads to early crop maturation By California Farm Bureau Record-breaking temperatures have caused some winter vegetable crops to mature faster than anticipated in the California desert, adding to existing challenges from weather earlier in the year. Growers in the Imperial Valley say they’re concerned that crops such as spinach […]

Click on the image for a high resolution PDF version (10 MB). Cost of Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Up Slightly This Year By American Farm Bureau Federation The retail cost of menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings increased less […]

By Natural Resource News Note: When sawmill worker Jesse Gonzalez accidentally sliced off his right arm with a hula saw, doctors reattached the arm and had the blood flowing again within two hours of the accident. Operating a hula saw is often considered to be the most physically demanding job […]

Estate Tax Increases if Congress Does Not Act by January 1, 2013 By Oregon Farm Bureau Please contact your congressman/congresswoman and senator to ensure Congress helps you before December 31. Congress must act before the end of the year on the estate tax. On January 1, 2013, the exemption will […]

By Oregon Small Business Association Aaron Jones, the founder of the Eugene-based Seneca Family of Companies, has handed control of the company to his three daughters. They will work closely with CEO Rick Re, who will continue to run the company’s day-to-day operations. The three daughters have worked throughout the […]

Eastern Oregon Ranchers Struggle to Hang On to Herds By Oregon Family Farm Association The devastating wildfires of 2012 hit ranchers the hardest in Malheur and Harney Counties, leaving widespread shortages of forage and hay. Now as winter approaches and feed supplies dwindle, members of the cattlemen’s association are searching […]

Margins on tobacco farming have slimmed with lower demand, so Richard Renegar started a hunting business on his land. See video below: