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.  […]

by Senator Doug Whitsett Oregon State Senator, “Extreme preservationist groups are routinely using the provisions of the Act to enrich their own coffers while forcing the exclusion of human activity and destroying private property rights. The good news is that Congress is finally attempting to take action. As Chair of […]

Wheat wins in Northern California By California Farm Bureau As they look back at their harvest, wheat farmers in Northern California say they benefitted from nearly ideal weather. A cool summer and no frost in September meant that wheat thrived in the Klamath Basin. Farmers in the area say the […]