By U.S. Department of Agriculture, The National Organic Program published an updated list of certified organic operations this week, making available the latest in certification status of USDA organic operations. As of the end of 2011, about 17,600 organic farms and processing facilities in the United States were certified to […]

OSU solar partner goes bankrupt The Oregon University System wanted solar power installed at every campus, but the general contractor that was to build the systems went bankrupt last year. Renewable Energy Development Corp., known as REDCO, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on December 30, 2011. REDCO was planning to […]

Forest Policy Briefs by Rex Storm, Forest Policy Manager Associated Oregon loggers New Forestry Board Members: In February, the Oregon Senate approved three new members to the Oregon Board of Forestry. The board oversees the State Forester and Oregon Dept. of Forestry operations, including private forest regulation, state forest management, […]

Ranchers guard against cattle theft during calving season Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Cattle ranchers in Oregon are asked to keep an eye out this time of year for a crime that has been around since the days of the old west. Cattle rustling, or livestock theft in general, is very […]

The Oregon Economics Blog brought this amazing video to attention and mentioned “If Only He’d Studied Forestry at OSU…”. Watch video below. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

NCBA Statement on USTR Appeal of WTO Ruling on Country of Origin Labeling By National Cattlemen’s Beef Association The office of the U.S. Trade Representative today March 23, 2012, opted to appeal the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice […]

Editorial from Wall Street Journal: These are hard times for economic liberty, but the Supreme Court on Wednesday offered a modest reason to hope. In a 9-0 ruling, they concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency can’t terrorize Americans via regulation without allowing them a day in court. In 2005, Michael […]

By Washington Association of Conservation Districts, A letter is being circulated by someone purporting to be from the USDA seeking personal financial information from USDA contractors. To see this letter, please click here. fraudulant letter requesting personal information If you receive such a letter, do not respond. Instead, let Dennis […]

By Michael Gelardi Davis, Dwight & Tremaine LLP Oregon law firm A budgetary earmark passed by the 2012 Oregon legislature allows three southern Oregon counties to move forward with efforts to rezone local farm and forest lands for other uses. In order to rezone land, however, the counties must first […]

Wolf Delisting Update Washington Farm Bureau March 16, 2012 In a great decision issued by the 9th Circuit , the court ruled that Congress can indeed delist a species. In a rider to a budget bill last April, Congress ordered the delisting of the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population. This […]