By Oregon Farm Bureau California and Washington are the only states that have mandated a 40-hour workweek threshold for agriculture. 48 other states allow for more flexibility to accommodate the unique, seasonal needs of agriculture and times of peak harvest. An Oregon solution must preserve farmworkers’ jobs, recognize Oregon’s family […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter, Legislative Update Last week week the Oregon legislature published the set of bills that will be introduced for consideration in the upcoming short legislative session. In addition to monitoring a couple of major bills impacting timber (Private Forest Accord) and agriculture (overtime), OFS has […]

By Oregon Small Business Association Foundation, The first month of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Oregon has surpassed the yield of the entire season last year. The season opened on time Dec. 1 for the first time in seven years, despite worker shortages and rough weather, according to the […]

By American farm Bureau Federation, A new vaccine mandate on essential workers coming into the U.S. will further complicate supply chain issues. Micheal Clements shares more from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Clements: A new vaccine mandate on essential workers entering the United States means more supply chain disruptions are […]

By Oregon Small business Association Foundation, With commercial fishing of salmon cut in half by drought, most of Oregon’s congressional delegation wants the U.S. Department of Commerce to declare “a catastrophic regional fishery disaster” as requested by Gov. Kate Brown. Between 2013 and 2017, the commercial Chinook haul was worth […]

By American Farm Bureau Federation, The Chief Economist of the nation’s largest general farm organization says the coming year should include higher prices for many crops but rising input costs will remain a challenge. Micheal Clements shares more on what to look for in 2022. Clements: Lingering issues from the […]

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation Oregonians who use natural gas could see their rates increase by nearly 10 percent if regulators grant a request from NW Natural—its second rate hike in three years. The average residential rates would increase from $63 to $70 a month, according to the Portland […]

By National Grocers Association, On behalf of NGA members, the National Grocers Association supports the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend enforcement of the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard. The court’s ruling takes some pressure off independent community grocers, […]

By Ching Lee California Farm Bureau As a major gateway for California agricultural trade, West Coast ports remain among the least efficient in the world, according to recent data. Now those clogged ports threaten farmers’ ability to get products to market—and could undermine their standing as reliable suppliers. In a […]

By Oregonians for Food and Shelter The New Year is off to a busy start already with major political updates this week. First, Senate President Peter Courtney announced that he will retire at the end of this year (meaning a vacancy next year in his Senate seat and the Senate Presidency). Speaker […]