| State Board of Agriculture |
 |
|
|
 |
| Overview |
|
During the 2005 legislative session, Oregon’s State Board of Agriculture redefined their role. The legislative assembly recognized that agriculture is an important component of Oregon’s economy and that sustainability of our state’s natural resources greatly affects the well being of all residents.
The legislature redefined the role of the board to read as follows:
“The State Board of Agriculture shall advise the State Department of Agriculture regarding the implementation, administration and enforcement of department programs and the development of department policies designed to positively affect the agricultural industry in this state, including but not limited to programs and policies to:
(a) Address the continuing changes and adjustments in agricultural industries.
(b) Foster the natural resources of the state to provide ample opportunities for productive and beneficial agricultural enterprise.
(c) Guide the department in ensuring the viability of the agricultural industry in this state.”
The State Board of Agriculture is now also required to submit a report on a biennial basis to the governor and legislative assembly regarding the status of the agricultural industry in the state.
The State Board of Agriculture is composed of ten members. Oregon’s governor appoints nine of the board members; the chair of Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Commission serves as the tenth member. The director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the dean of the College of Agriculture at Oregon State University, serve as ex-officio members.
State law requires seven of the appointed board members be actively engaged in the production of agricultural commodities and that the governor seek to ensure that these members reflect the diverse nature of agricultural commodity production within Oregon. Two board members shall be appointed who are not actively involved in the agricultural industry to be representatives of the public interests.
Board members can be contacted through the Oregon Department of Agriculture, 635 Capitol Street NE, Salem OR, 97301-2532, 503-986-4552.
|
|
|
| Ken Bailey, Chair |
|
Second term - Serving 2/1/2006 to 1/31/2010
Ken Bailey is vice president and shareholder in Orchard View Farms, Inc. Orchard View grows, packs and ships premium fresh cherries for domestic and international sales. Both dark sweet (including Bing, Chelan, Lepins and Sweetheart) and Rainier cherries are produced. Orchard View Farms, a third generation family business founded in 1923, also grows apples, pears and wine grapes. Ken grew up on the family farm and returned to farm after his graduation from Oregon State University with a BS in horticulture. He currently serves as CFO for Orchard View. Ken and his wife Shirley have three grown children (Kevin, Donna and Diana) and five grandchildren. He is active on many fronts promoting the sustainability of agriculture. Some of these include: - Wasco County Fruit & Produce League
- Oregon Farm Bureau
- National Council of Agricultural Employers
- Wasco County Spray Drift Task Force
- Lower Deschutes Agricultural Water Quality Management Plan
- Integrated Fruit Production Weather Station Project
- Lower John Day Agriculture & Natural Resources Council (hosted value-added conference)
- Oregon State Senate Task Force on Agricultural Collective Bargaining
- Grower advisor to The Food Alliance
- Grower advisory to the Oregon Department of Agriculture regarding practical food safety guidelines.
|
|
|
| Bob Levy, Vice Chair |
|
First term - serving 7/15/2004 to 7/14/2008
Like many folks in ag, Bob Levy knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life from a young age. “I have always had an affection for ranching and farming, and I’ve never intended to do anything else,” he says. That affection has culminated in a trio of separate farming and ranching operations in Eastern Oregon as well as a spot on the State Board of Agriculture. In many ways, Bob Levy typifies the drive and determination of the Oregon farmer to succeed as a producer. He is now doing what he can to ensure success for all of Oregon agriculture, especially that which exists east of the Cascades. It is never easy to make a living in a land where water is so precious a commodity. “There have been some very difficult times in the irrigated farming business over the past 30 years,” says Levy. “Swings in economic conditions, controversy over water, and endangered species issues have given me a broad perspective on agriculture’s relationship to our environment.” The Levy family has been an agricultural mainstay in the Columbia Basin. Bob and his son Bill are partners in Windy River Land Company, an irrigated farming operation in the Hermiston-Boardman area. The company leases farmland, owned by the Levys that produces green peas, lima beans, grass seed, corn, asparagus, alfalfa, mint, and wheat among other crops. Bob is also president of American Onion, Inc., which grows and packs onions in the area. The sweet onions are marketed both nationally and internationally. Third, Bob assists in the daily management of a closely held family corporation headquartered in Pendleton that produces wheat, cattle, sheep, and timber. “Mine is the third generation that is actively involved in management of the business,” says Levy.Born and raised, of course, on a farm near Pendleton, Levy graduated from Oregon State University with a masters degree in agricultural economics. He worked as a field representative for potato processor Lamb Weston but eventually found his way back to the day-to-day job of farming. When the potato market changed for the worse, Levy began to diversify. “My family background and education prepared me to farm and that is always what I wanted to do,” says Levy. With four grown children and a wife, Bobby, who teaches at Blue Mountain Community College, Levy has taken his time and talent statewide. Appointed to Governor Kulongoski’s transition team more than two years ago, Levy provided an important voice for agriculture as the newly elected governor developed strategies and positions. He has added that voice to the Board of Agriculture as one of its newest members. “It is an honor and privilege to serve in an organization that has the best interest of Oregon agriculture at heart,” says Levy. “The natural resource industries are the most important industries in the state. The economic well-being of forestry and agriculture are the keys to the long-term success of our land-use system, health of our rural communities, protection of the environment, and reestablishment of healthy streams. Policy set by the Board of Agriculture will help the state achieve long-term sustainability in what is important to the citizens of Oregon.” Like so many others who have always known they would be farmers, Levy is working hard for the benefit of Oregon agriculture.
|
|
|
| Bernie Faber |
|
Third term - serving 9/1/2006 to 9/29/2010
Bernie is a big believer in the concept of teamwork.
"I´ve always thought if producers worked together on something, the end result would benefit all producers," says Bernie Faber, who brings his powers of collaboration and expertise from years of service to the dairy industry.
Just about all of Bernie´s life has been associated with the dairy industry. Growing up on a Southern California farm, Faber´s parents decided to sell the dairy business when he was 12. That didnÍt keep Bernie from a future career with milk production. When he and his wife Mary Lou started to raise a family of two boys and a girl, they saw an opportunity to go north and start a dairy in Oregon.
"Raising kids in a concrete jungle was not the way to go," says Faber.
For five years, the Fabers rented land on which their cows grazed and produced milk. In 1974, they were finally able to buy land in West Salem on which the present dairy sits. Bernie´s two sons help run the operation, which has allowed him to get involved in the politics of the dairy industry. He has served on a number of boards including the Oregon Dairy Farmers, the Dairy Commission, the Creamery Board, and the relatively new Northwest Milk Marketing Federation. His efforts have led to relatively strong and stable prices for dairy producers in Oregon and Washington.
One of his goals as a Board of Agriculture member is to ensure that the Oregon Department of Agriculture continues to comply with administering its laws and regulations, but in a farm friendly fashion.
Despite his soft spoken nature, Bernie has found himself something of a media celebrity of late. Through a joint agreement between Portland General Electric and the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, the Faber farm has been chosen for a pilot project to turn cow manure into a renewable resource in the form of electricity. A methane digester that makes use of animal waste has been installed and will be watched closely to see if this is the wave of the future for other Oregon dairies. Faber hopes it will help address waste management problems as well as provide much needed low-cost energy „ green power that can be marketed commercially. The pilot project could be ready for operation in time for the new year. TV cameras and newspaper reporters have eagerly come to his farm for an interview and the story.
Bernie is anxious to see how it all works out. As far as he is concerned, it is well worth the effort and it really isn´t much of a risk to his operation.
This could be a big winner or a small loser, says Faber.
|
|
|
| Dan Carver |
|
Second term - Serving 9/5/2007 to 9/4/2011
Some would say the future of Oregon agriculture is personified by Dan Carver, the newest member of the State Board of Agriculture. At the heart of his successful philosophy is a concept that is increasingly being recognized by growers and producers across the state: good stewardship of land and water is good for the bottom line. Economics and environment go hand in hand.
"As a producer, you need to look at yourself as a land manager," says Carver. "I have realized more profit with less impact on land and water by using a conservation ethic."
At the same time, Carver realizes it's all about marketing agriculture.
"If you create the demand for the product, all other issues tend to go away," he says.
Carver´s 30,000-acre ranch covers parts of Wasco and Sherman counties. Diversification and added value to his operation through farm-ranch recreation have combined to produce a successful business. Grains, cattle, sheep, and fee hunting sounds like an odd combination. But the formula is being recognized as a viable solution to struggling operators throughout Oregon.
"If you can make it ranching these days, you can make it anywhere," says Carver.
The ranch is a page out of the history books, literally. With the main headquarters built in 1900, the ranch is classified as a National Historic District, with 41 historic buildings maintained by the Carvers. It is a natural for tours. Only 20 miles from the Deschutes River, the ranch caters to large group tours. No one tour is ever the same, according to Carver.
To enhance the operation, the rancher and his wife Jeanne purchased a 14-room lodge on the river at Maupin. A restaurant and rafting services, along with some of the best fishing in Oregon, have all attracted such celebrities as Tiger Woods.
"You can be incognito in Maupin," says Carver.
Meanwhile, the agricultural products born and raised on the ranch are central to the successful business. Five years ago, the Carvers began direct marketing lamb meat to the Bend and Sunriver areas. The wool production has evolved into a complete line of ready-to-wear clothing and wool knitting starter kits. Still, it gets back to land and water stewardship for Carver, who claims his beef production has doubled since he adopted conservation practices.
Several years ago, a nationally-acclaimed conservation effort known as the Buck Hollow Project improved conditions in the local creek. It didn´t require a government-mandated program or even the existence of a watershed council. The 37 landowners in the basin got together and simply decided to make things better.
"It didn´t happen by fencing off the creek," says Carver. "It was a mindset. You have to think conservation and what is the best practice each day."
In 1990, only two steelhead returned to Buck Hollow Creek. Last year, that number reached 800.
Carver is hoping to bring his experience and insight to a board of agriculture he says is already incredible and knowledgeable.
"The board needs to help promote agriculture and get it recognized in this state," he says. "Whatever the board can do to help farmers and ranchers sell more product or get a better price, we need to do it."
In the meantime, the Imperial Stock Ranch„at one time the largest privately held ranch in Oregon, will continue to offer day-to-day challenges for the Carvers.
"Ranching is a hard life," says Carver. "The victories we get are when a chef says the meat we produced is the best he´s ever tasted or when a customer who has just toured the ranch simply says thanks."
|
|
|
| Pat Dudley |
|
Second term - serving 10/01/2006 to 9/30/2010
What does it take to get a prospective history professor in Michigan to relocate and work the soil in Oregon?
Apparently in the case of Patricia Dudley, all it takes is the opportunity to grow Oregon´s famous Pinot noir grape. The newest member of the Board of Agriculture says she came out of the library and into the mud a couple of decades ago when she, her husband Ted Casteel, Ted´s twin brother and his wife all started up Bethel Heights Vineyard west of Salem, not far from Amity.
"We always had a recreational interest in wine," says Pat Dudley. "Back in the 1970s, we talked about the four of us doing something together, still being able to raise a family and do it all."
Born in Texas, Pat lived all over the world as her father worked for Northwest Airlines. She graduated from high school in Connecticut, completed undergraduate work at Stanford, received a masters degree in history from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and then went back to Stanford for a P.H.D. ThatÍs when she met Ted. Both planned to teach at the University of Michigan when a family inheritance allowed them to turn a dream into reality.
"I knew nothing about the wine industry and basically chucked all of my previous education," says Pat, with a laugh. "But when you are academically trained with a liberal arts education, you can do just about anything,"
The first step in the process was familiar: go back to school. Pat and Ted took viticulture courses at UC Davis when they saw a newspaper advertisement about property in Oregon´s Willamette Valley. Fifty acres - enough for the two couples to live and work on - was up for sale. When Pat arrived at the abandoned walnut orchard, it was a cold, crisp February day with a panoramic view from the hill on which she stood.
"This is it," she remembers saying. Pat also remembers clearing out the tree trunks and planting the grapes. It was hard physical labor that literally bore fruit a few years later. The first crop was harvested in 1980. Until 1984, all the grapes were sold to someone else. The first year Bethel Heights produced its own vintage, some 3,000 cases were produced. By 1995, the operation had grown to the point to where Bethel Heights had to buy somebody else´s grapes as well to fulfill the demand. Last year, 11,000 cases were produced. Three-fourths of the vineyard produces Pinot noir, the variety that has put Oregon on the wine map.
Someday, perhaps soon, Pat´s two grown daughters will be helping to run the show at Bethel Heights. But not quite yet.
When it comes to the Board of Agriculture, Pat Dudley is back in school once again.
"I´m learning a lot," she says. "I´m very impressed with the members. They have been cordial, articulate, open-minded, and have shown to have the ability to work together."
Pat´s priority issue is a branding program for Oregon agriculture. As part of the branded image, she thinks Oregon can offer more than others. Being able to certify certain qualities - including how the product is grown or processed - would give Oregon a true advantage in the market place.
"I believe quality and sustainability are two sides of the same coin," she says. "You can´t have one without the other."
Pat Dudley has been a quick study on the board. She has also been unafraid to speak up, even if she is the rookie.
"You have to ask questions in order to learn," she says.
Spoken like someone who has been in the classroom.
|
|
|
| Tom Fessler |
|
First term - Serving 7/15/2004 to 7/14/2008
Youthful veteran is a term that may best describe Tom Fessler, one of two new members to the State Board of Agriculture. In the mid-1990s, he became the youngest ever president of the Oregon Association of Nurseries after being elected at age 32. Now, he brings his years of experience and wisdom to the board even though he is still one of its youngest members.
Fessler is looking forward to giving what he can to the board, but he is also excited about learning from the rest of the group.
“I’m excited to be exposed to other commodities produced in Oregon and to get to know more about the rest of the state,” he says. Fessler knows a great deal about Oregon’s number one agricultural commodityÐnursery products. He knows quite a bit about some of the other crops grown in the Willamette Valley such as grass seed and various row crops. His family farm outside Mt. Angel spans some 2,000 acres. Nursery products make up the primary crop, but the Fessler family also raises grass seed, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. The primary lesson he has learned ever since his parents started up the farm in 1967 is something that works well for any profession. “Be true to your word,” says Fessler. If products are going to be marketed as high quality, they need to be just that. The lesson has served him well over the years. Fessler believes in being true to his employees as well. He says it’s a challenge for any agricultural business these days to keep good people on the farm. At his operation, long term employees have been retained simply by treating them right and providing them opportunities to move up in the organization. No other agricultural industry in Oregon has had the meteoric growth of the greenhouse and nursery industryÐnow valued at more than three-quarters of a billion dollars. Fessler has been an active participant in that expansion and would be happy if any of his six children--ranging in age from nine to 21--decide to be active on the farm. However, he sees value in being exposed to new ideas and environments--if only for a while. “I never left the farm after growing up, but I think it would be best if the kids actually went away and worked somewhere else for a while before coming back,” he says. There have been challenges for Fessler and his operation. Root rot in the 1980s and 90s caused the industry to change some of its practices in raising nursery stock. More recently, sudden oak death had an impact on his operation even though his products have always remained clean and SOD-free. “For about three months, we were shut out of Canada,” he says. “About a third of our dormant azaleas go to Canada and we lost that market for awhile. But working hard with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, we got the market back. The first hand experience I had with ODA and the mutual cooperation between the agency and the industry was positive and impressive.” Fessler’s goal as a newly appointed board member is to maintain the relationship that many in the ag industry have with ODA, maybe strengthen it. “I look forward to the experience of being on the Board of Agriculture,” he says.
|
|
|
| Jan Kerns |
|
First term - Serving 9/6/2005 to 9/5/2009
"Having the opportunity to serve on the Oregon State Board of Agriculture has long been a personal goal of mine,” says Jan Kerns.
Jan and her family farm own and operate Kerns Rainbow Ranch, Inc. in Haines, Oregon. There are currently three generations participating in the operation of the farm. They raise cattle, potatoes, alfalfa, small grains, and timber.
Jan describes her family as being committed to the principles of sustainable agriculture and good conservation practices for forestland, cropland soil and pastures, and water. They have been accepted into the Oregon Country Beef program that has rigid qualification criteria one must meet and maintain.
Over the past 30 years the Kerns family has invested close to one million dollars in water conservation and development.
|
|
|
| Doug Krahmer |
|
As Chair of the Soil and Water Commission, Mr. Krahmer is a member of the Board of Agriculture.
Doug is the co-owner of Blue Horizon Farms, Inc. based out of St. Paul, Oregon. They grow blueberries, blackcaps, cut flowers, wheat, clover, hazelnuts and flower seed.
He has represented Zone 1 on the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors since 2000, and currently serves as chair. He is also active in Marion County Farm Bureau as a board member, and in Oregon Farm Bureau as a Labor Advisory Committee member. In August of 2004, Doug was appointed to represent the Lower Willamette Valley on the Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Commission and was elected chair of that group in August of 2005.
Doug and his wife Patti have four children, two grown and two attending college.
|
|
|
| Stephen Van Mouwerik |
|
|
|
Photo of Van Mouwerik courtesy of Mitch Lies, Capital Press
|
First term - Serving 9/21/2007
From growing up in the dairy business to his current position as Oregon Division Manager for Anderson Hay and Grain Company, Steve Van Mouwerik brings a wealth of experience and insight into many key issues facing Oregon agriculture today.
"Joining the Board is an extension of ‘growing the context' from the more narrow focus of forages to the broader one of all agricultural products, and the chain of quality and accountability that is expected of ag producers and processors around the world," says Van Mouwerik. "Consumer expectations for safe food, sustainability, quality, price, resource utilization, no matter the country or market, are driving change producers and government need to see and understand."
Anderson Hay and Grain Company exports about $100 million of hay and straw each year from Oregon and Washington to dairy and beef farmers in Asia. The company is the number one harvester, processor, and exporter in the global forage market.
"The hay and straw export business is extremely competitive and quite complex," says Van Mouwerik. "At any given time, there is an issue in the supply chain or market and two more on the horizon. I've lived with this as Anderson Hay's Oregon Director and in my industry service positions for 15 years. As I come to the Board of Agriculture, I hope to contribute the relationships and the pacing to work the issues up and down the line from Oregon producer to consumer, whether domestic or foreign, private sector or public."
Van Mouwerik has been a key leader with the Oregon Ag Fiber Association, which, among other things, has worked hard to develop a market for grass straw residues that used to be handled by field burning. Having agriculture in his blood while growing up in Southern California has helped. The Van Mouwerik Family, part of the strong Dutch dairy presence in the region, operated a dairy processing and bottling plant-providing home delivery of milk to the front porches of homes in the area. Steve and his family witnessed first hand what market changes can do to an agricultural business on the edge of Los Angeles.
"The consolidation of the dairy business came with supermarkets and freeways. At the same time, our dairy acreage and orange groves were yielding to development and population growth. The completion of my college education saw also the end of our dairy herd, processing, and delivery operations."
A bachelor's degree in international relations from Lewis and Clark College and a master's in conflict analysis and peace research at the University of Pennsylvania have provided some educational background that has helped in the export business. But first, Van Mouwerik had to try his hand in the field of high tech. He was delighted to return to agriculture when the Anderson Hay and Grain opportunity knocked.
Van Mouwerik lives in Portland with his wife, Deb, and their two teenage sons.
Among the important issues facing the Board of Agriculture, Van Mouwerik lists foreign market access, air quality, and the impact of biofuels as those that hold particular interest to him.
"The Board members have their heads around the issues that confront producers and that confront decision makers in government. They show an ability to bring business and private sector points of view to questions that need to be addressed in a venue of public stakeholders. I am eager to get their guidance as the freshman member of the Board."
Conversely, the Board of Agriculture is eager for the valuable contributions of its newest member.
|
|
|
| Lynn Youngbar |
|
First term - Serving 9/6/2005 to 9/5/2009
Lynn Youngbar describes herself as an urban Oregonian with a passion for rural communities.
One of the new members of the State Board of Agriculture, the resident of northeast Portland brings a wealth of experience in helping rural Oregonians through difficult economic times. “Being on the board is a great opportunity for me, given my long time involvement in rural economic development,” says Youngbar, who is one of two public members on the 10‑member board. “Agriculture affects the entire state. I see my role as trying to keep the big picture in mind.”
While she didn’t grow up on a farm, Youngbar learned at a young age to appreciate the impact agriculture and timber had on rural Oregon. Her father owned and operated a manufacturing business that produced window coverings. She frequently traveled with her dad to furniture stores and specialty shops in many of the state’s small towns.
After graduating from Portland State University with a sociology degree, Youngbar obtained her master’s in city planning from MIT. Her focus was on economic and community development and how it affects rural communities. Her thesis on the shift of the wood products industry from the Pacific Northwest to the southern US underscored her interest in what happened to the people who lived and worked in towns that relied on natural resource industries.
“I always wanted to know what was going to happen to these communities,” she says.
Youngbar took a job with the Oregon Economic Development Department (now known as Economic and Community Development Department) in 1985 and spent the next few years traveling the state looking at the impact of plant closures. When the northern spotted owl was listed as an endangered species in 1988, Governor Goldschmidt looked for someone to develop a program to help communities impacted by plant closures or other big changes in the state’s natural resource industries. Youngbar raised her hand. In 1991, the successful public program, Community Initiatives, privatized, creating the non-profit Rural Development Initiatives (RDI). Youngbar became its first executive director. RDI has provided strategic planning, leadership training, and technical assistance to dozens of struggling Oregon communities. Youngbar’s successful efforts in landing grant money from private foundations and corporations to match the state investment made the difference. RDI continues its work, even though Youngbar left in 1998.
Since then, Youngbar has been in the consulting business—often working as an interim executive for non-profit organizations.
“Usually at least once a year, I am running an organization through the transition period between executive directors,” she says.
Perhaps her biggest connection to agriculture has been through involvement with the Portland Farmers Market.
“I was a serious shopper at the farmers market and I’ve always thought it was a great way to bring urban and rural together,” says Youngbar, who currently serves on the board of the Portland Farmers Market as vice-chair. “I think we will continue to see more interest in buying local, given the concern people have with where their food comes from and the rising cost of fuel. What a great opportunity for Oregon agriculture.”
Having just attended her first Board of Agriculture meeting in September, Youngbar is impressed with her counterparts.
“It’s clearly an enlightened bunch,” she says. “I hope we will be able to engage in some good discussions on important issues facing the state’s resource industries and that people will freely speak their minds.”
Youngbar plans on being an active participant.
“I’ll be thinking about the consumer and the general public as we walk through these issues,” says Youngbar, though she understands the needs of the ag community as well.
Meanwhile, she continues tending her home garden in northeast Portland, not far from where her two adult children live, and, of course, tending to the Portland Farmers Market where she enjoys dealing with the vendors—those producers who make a connection with the urban public
|
|
|
| Upcoming meeting schedule |
|
February 12 - 13, 2009
The next Board of Agriculture meeting will be held on February 12 and 13, 2009, in Salem, Oregon.
The exact details and location will be announced on this Web site as soon as they become available.
The board will also conduct small informal subcommittee meetings on the evening prior to the regular two-day meeting. The subcommittees beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday February 11, 2009 are the Land Use and Water and Air committees. At 7:30 p.m. that same evening, the Marketing and Government Relations committees meet.
A public comment period is scheduled at every board meeting, so that members of the community may have an opportunity to share their thoughts with the board in person.
If you have questions, or require special accommodations (let the board assistant know 72 hours in advance), please contact Madeline MacGregor at 503-986-4758 or mmacgreg@oda.state.or.us .
|
|
|
| Meeting minutes |
|
Oregon State Board of Agriculture meeting minutes, July 31, and August 1, 2008
Minutes from The Dalles meeting may be downloaded to your desktop or printed. (Word doc)
|
|
|
| Contact the Board of Ag |
|
To contact the Oregon State Board of Agriculture write or call
Madeline MacGregor
Oregon Department of Agriculture
635 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532
503-986-4550
|
|
| |
|
|
