Natural Resource News Note It was just two weeks ago that the Seattle Post reported a serious invasion of grasshoppers.  Here is what they said  “The Pacific Northwest must prepare for the worst grasshopper outbreak in 30 years, according to scientists for Washington State University and the USDA….”In some areas […]

Action Plan By American Farm Bureau Federation and Oregon Farm Bureau The face of agriculture is changed by the Estate Tax (aka Death Tax). Family farms can be altered or lost forever when family members must sell land, buildings, and equipment to generate the money to pay the tax.  Congress […]

By Rick Sohn Umpqua Coquille LLC As we take a step back and reflect on the prices since April 2009, substantial  percentage gains have been made in the lumber and housing statistics, while unsold home inventory has fallen.  We’ve come a long way since the bottom of this great recession, […]

Ag Groups Urge USDA and EPA to Improve Climate Bill Modeling By National Association of Wheat Growers, NAWG and seven other agricultural groups wrote Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Wednesday, asking them to ensure that their departments’ future analysis of proposals to […]

By Julia Pettit Stoel Rives LLP, Attorneys at Law The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”) recently announced the release of the “Western Wind and Solar Integration Study” (the “WWSIS”), which investigated the operational impact of up to 35% energy penetration of wind, photovoltaic, and concentrating solar power on the power system […]

By Oregon Employment Department Oregon’s Renewable Energy Production and Generation Sector – as identified by the Oregon Green Jobs Council – includes firms that produce renewable energy from solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, wave, bioenergy, small-hydro, and biofuels technologies. In fact, more than 200 firms throughout Oregon produce renewable energy. Many […]

By Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, SALEM, Ore.—A new and improved version of Oregon’s Hunting Map is now available online at http://www.oregonhuntingmap.com/ The interactive Google™ map has added functionalities including: Boundaries for Access and Habitat areas, wildlife areas, travel management areas, regulated hunt areas, national wildlife refuges, state parks […]

Statement From Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack On USDA Forecast For Second-Highest Export Level In History By U.S. Dept. of Agriculture WASHINGTON, May 27, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement on the most recent U.S. Agricultural Trade Outlook Forecast for fiscal year 2010: “Today’s strong economic […]

Oregon animal industries look to turn waste into a resource By Oregon Department of Agriculture It’s not exactly the fairy tale theme of turning straw into gold, but Oregon livestock operators are generally succeeding in turning animal manure into something beneficial. From utilizing the nutrients found in animal waste as […]

AFBF Backs Bill With Vital Farm and Ranch Tax Provisions By American Farm Bureau Federation WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 2010 – The House is expected to vote soon on legislation that includes a number of tax provisions vital to farmers and rural America. The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging […]