Archives

June 7, 2012 - Oregon wineries find laws pressing against them

Natural Resource News Note: The Statesman Journal recently reported about the wine battle between vineyards and surrounding farmers and residents.  Based on concerns that wineries are becoming tourist traps, “NASCAR Disneylands,” and losing their bucolic character, Salem lawmakers recently passed H.B. 3280. The bill’s main provision is that vineyards may […]


June 6, 2012 - Oregon seafood boom hits 23 year high

By Oregon Department of Agriculture Any way you fillet it, Oregon’s commercial seafood and fishing industry had an outstanding year in 2011. For many fisheries, both the volume harvested off the Oregon Coast and the corresponding dollar value were the best in decades. A total harvest value exceeding $145 million […]


June 5, 2012 - The wood products rebound is coming but…

Wood Products Forecast: Business Strategy in the Soft Rebound By Bill Conerly, Oregon economist Conerly Consulting, Businomics A construction rebound is coming, but it will be a soft rebound, leading to a mild recovery in wood products demand. Although somewhat better times are coming, businesses need to be prepared for […]


June 4, 2012 - Legislative speakers warn ruling may cost 5,000 jobs

By Co-House Speakers Bruce Hanna & Arnie Roblan Open letter in The Oregonian There’s an environmental success story in Oregon’s timber industry you may not know about — one that’s helped forest owners protect our rivers and streams from pollution for more than 35 years while supporting tens of thousands […]


June 3, 2012 - New tech allows food to last more than 25 years

Freeze dried foods for campers or pantry sto9ckers has always been around. Yet, the latest food technology is extending the life of these foods by more than 25 years. CNN video below shows the inside one of the most famous preservation food company — Blue Mountain.


June 2, 2012 - How technology is changing Futures & Crop Reports

by Cindy National Corn Growers Association As the world moves closer to trading around the clock, the future of crop report release times is being pondered. Some options being considered include changing the reports to the afternoon or running them on weekends to take them out of live trading time. […]


June 1, 2012 - Condors rebound to record numbers

Natural Resource News Note For the first time in the 30-year history of preserving the California condors their population hit over 400. Their numbers have been recovering from California, Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The new figures mean that the California condor could be delisted as a species.   Katy Muldon […]


June 1, 2012 - A Northeast Farm Bill Agenda Released

by National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Last week, the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG), New England Farmers Union Educational Foundation, Wholesome Wave, and others released A Northeast Farm Bill Agenda: Priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill. Given the diversity of size, scale, and environment in the Northeast, coupled with high […]


May 30, 2012 - WA Farm Bureau urges action on failed forest plan

There is an opportunity to submit testimony for the record for 10 business days after the hearing (May 31). This is a good opportunity for the Farm Bureau and/or individual members to provide input. By Washington Farm Bureau On Monday, May 21st, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public […]


May 30, 2012 - Oregon Ag Legislative Update

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter During the Interim, legislators come to town every quarter for 3-days in what is referred to as “legislative days.” Interim Committees meet for updates on issues and this week we heard the new revenue forecast and the Senate approved the Governor’s recommended appointments to […]