A Storm of Estate Taxes Threatens Farm Country By Lynne Finnerty By American Farm Bureau Federation Two recent news reports contained troubling year-end news for farm families. Farmland values are booming. Minnesota farmland prices are nearly 30 percent higher than a year ago, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of […]

By Oregon Department of Agriculture Oregon farm land has long-term value that includes economic, environmental, and societal benefits that transcend short-term gains from developing or converting those lands. That’s one of many conclusions offered by an Oregon Department of Agriculture report examining the costs of taking agricultural lands out of […]

Forest Policy Briefs by Rex Storm, Forest Policy Manager Associated Oregon Loggers, Governor’s Mixed Message: Something of a rare event, Gov. John Kitzhaber addressed Oregon’s Board of Forestry at its November meeting, delivering a rambling speech of conflicting platitudes. On one hand, the Gov. suggested re-examining state forest harvest to […]

Consumers cozy up to winter farmers markets By California Farm Bureau While tree fruit growers are counting the chill hours, the nip in the air isn’t cooling Americans’ appetite for locally grown produce, according to a US Agriculture Department report on winter farmers markets. California has seen a 12 percent […]

Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings from the entire Natural Resource team.

Iowa farmer joke found on the internet

Farmers Have Big Concerns About New Farm Bill By American Farm Bureau Federation   Hearings for the new farm bill start in just a few weeks. American Farm Bureau Farm Policy Specialist Mary Kay Thatcher says a big debate will be about the farm safety net. AFBF’s Johnna Miller reports. […]

Another cow killed by the Imnaha wolf pack By Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, UPDATE: On Dec. 14, ODFW confirmed another livestock depredation by Imnaha pack wolves. It was an adult cow found Tuesday morning on the same property as the depredation discussed in this news release. The cow […]

ODA sets up grant program for counties to help ranchers By Oregon Dept. of Agriculture The return of the gray wolf to Oregon has already resulted in conflicts between the predatory animal and livestock, leading to past, present, and future losses for Oregon ranchers. This past session, the Oregon Legislature […]

Occupy Port Blockade Hurts Grass Seed Growers Natural Resource News Note: Occupy protestors recently headed to ports in California, Oregon, and Washington to disrupt commercial shipments, including Willamette Valley grass seed wholesalers and trucking companies.  The Corvallis Gazette reported on this protest and how it impacted local grass seed farmers.  […]