Oregon rallies behind fire-damaged Hazelnut farm in record time
Natural Resource News Note:
Would you believe a local hazelnut farming operation in Oregon was hit with a damaging fire and found itself back on its feet within three weeks. This is the story of Mid Valley Ag Dryers who has been a family business for almost 30 years in Salem. The fire caused around a half million in damages. Local help came from Northwest Hazelnut Company and George Packing Company. George Packing Company is a home-grown Oregon company that is now the nation’s largest hazelnut processor.
Statesman Journal reports…
The Mid Valley Ag Dryers started receiving hazelnuts again 36 hours after the Oct. 13 fire,and several farms, companies and agencies have helped it get all of its cleaning equipment and much of its dryer capacity back in order… The station is owned by the Beutler family.“We truly appreciate the support from George Packing Company, Northwest Hazelnut Company, and all of the others in the industry that got us back on our feet over the past two weeks,” said Henry Beutler, who owns Mid Valley Ag Dryers with his son, Tim Beutler. “Our hazelnut industry is ‘neighbor helping neighbor’ and we truly appreciate it.”The Mid Valley Ag Dryers is one of 17 under contract with George Packing, the nation’s largest hazelnut processor, which has facilities in Salem and Newberg. The president of George Packing is Larry George of Sherwood, who also is a state senator.
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