It’s census time for Oregon farmers and ranchers Oregon Department of Agriculture The most ambitious and important agricultural survey of all is getting underway in Oregon and the rest of the fifty states as the 2017 Census of Agriculture literally reaches out to every farmer and rancher in the United […]

Oregon hazelnut farm, NW Hazelnut, is first to fully operate under solar energy. See the KOIN-TV news clip below.

USDA Promises New SNAP Flexibilities to Promote Self-Sufficiency U.S. Department of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is promising increased cooperation with states in the operation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to promote self-sufficiency, integrity in the program, and better customer service. To make these improvements, USDA […]

AFRC Applauds Interior’s Recommendation on Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Expansion American Forest Resource Council The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today applauded the Department of the Interior’s (Interior) recommendation to modify the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. AFRC President Travis Joseph says the recommendation, if accepted by President Donald Trump, will help correct […]

Timber Industry Report By Rick Sohn, PhD Coquille Lumber Log prices are at record highs, and mills are in extreme competition for logs. The log shortage is leading to maintenance shutdowns, extended Christmas holidays, and one mill closure. Recent trends of lumber, logs, home construction, and housing markets, are compared.

Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action American Farm Bureau  The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows. While just under half of rural Americans say they have been […]

Barley no longer an afterthought in beer flavor by Lynn Ketchum Oregon State Extension Services Barley has always played second fiddle to hops and yeast when it comes to flavoring beer. Now the grain is ready for its solo. In two studies published this week in the Journal of the […]

Oregon cranberry industry grows with the times Oregon Department of Agriculture  Growing cranberries on Oregon’s south coast is a challenge– not because it can’t be done or done well, but due to competition with states that have larger production and lower costs. Nonetheless, Oregon remains fourth in the nation in […]

Bonamici, Kaptur, Joyce Introduce Ocean and Lake Health Legislation Bipartisan effort improves harmful algal bloom response Representatives Suzanne Bonamici Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and David Joyce (R-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation to better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to harmful algal blooms, especially in coastal communities and the […]

Buying local is always the best choice for firewood Oregon Department of Agriculture Simply put, firewood is a great vehicle for invasive species to slip into the state. As winter approaches, consumers may be in the market for something to put into the fireplace. The same advice used for firewood […]