 |
|
| Protecting the food supply in a complex world |
|
|
|
| Susan Kendrick of ODA's Food Safety Division |
By Bruce Pokarney
Susan Kendrick knows how important it is to respond quickly in order to protect the public. The Portland-based food safety inspector also knows the drill. When a food recall is ordered, no stone is left unturned in an effort to make sure the product in question is safely removed from consumers. In the case of the Castleberry's recall of summer 2007, that stone happened to be at the Oregon Food Bank.
"We had to be creative in locating a potentially hazardous food product, and brainstormed on who would likely purchase these products," says Ellen Laymon, food program manager for ODA's Food Safety Division. "The targets ranged from hunger relief organizations to campers and hunters who enjoy the convenience of canned foods that just need heating."
Canned chili and assorted other Castleberry products were implicated in a nationwide outbreak of botulism that left eight people seriously ill. The easy part was getting word of the recall to the large retailers who carried the product. But many "mom and pop" stores were not necessarily aware of the recall. ODA sent its inspectors to these small outlets and found more than 10 percent still had the products for sale, but the effort did not end there. Visits were made to popular campgrounds and to food warehouses. On July 30, 2007, Susan Kendrick recovered more than 94,000 unopened cans of the product at the Oregon Food Bank in north Portland. Nearly 800,000 emergency food boxes are prepared annually at OFB. Fortunately, none of the potentially hazardous product was included.
"We wanted to make extra sure nobody else would get botulism poisoning," says Laymon. "Other states saw the effort we were making and began to do the same thing."
ODA's Food Safety staff collectively clocked 700 hours in one weekend to assure the public, as best it could, that tainted product was no longer at risk of being sold in Oregon. The work paid off. No cases of botulism were reported in Oregon.
For its efforts, the Food Safety Division and its staff received a merit award from the US Food and Drug Administration.
New brave world of food safety
| Sarah Schwab checks
tempurature in display case.
|
"Food safety has changed; it has gone through a tremendous metamorphosis," says ODA Food Safety Division Administrator Vance Bybee. "The risks that we now face are very different from just a couple of years ago. We are now in a more global economy with food for our consumers coming from other countries. We have bioterrorism threats we didn't have a decade ago."
Emerging issues-for example, the discovery of the industrial chemical melamine in Chinese animal feed last year and dairy products this year-create additional work load for local, state, and federal food safety agencies. The ability to detect food adulterants (the official term used to describe something that doesn't belong in a given food) at extreme microscopic levels has also changed the landscape. ODA's Portland-based laboratory supports the agency's food safety efforts by performing critical testing of food, many times at a rapid pace. Chemists and microbiologists provide the scientific results to either implicate or exonerate a food product that may be at risk.
With the need to keep up with the changing face of food safety, there has been a corresponding reformation of the Food Safety Division. Inspections of retail food establishments, food warehouses, and processing plants are still vitally important, but there is an emphasis now on industry and consumer outreach and education. Prevention is the preferred option backed up by a trained group of food safety specialists-still often referred to as field inspectors-ready to offer rapid response to any food emergency.
"We try to be proactive," says Bybee. "When you deal with issues reactively, there obviously is a greater chance of someone getting sick from a food borne pathogen. If we can make sure the best processes are being used to handle food, we can do a better job of eliminating the risk."
Outreach is done in a variety of ways. Even the routine inspection process offers the opportunity to head off potential problems. ODA food safety specialists act as consultants to industry-delivering advice free of charge. For example, ODA provides label reviews on products prior to them being marketed. Any plans for new construction or remodeling of facilities that deal with retail food must be submitted to ODA for review and comment. Recommendations are made before any money is spent or any work has been done on the facility.
ODA food safety specialists work in partnership with Oregon State University to provide training to the industry. The ODA staff receives training that trickles down to the food industry.
"There has been an increase in the complexity of rules and issues," says program manager Dawn Smith. "It has taken a lot of energy to train our staff and then relay that information to the industry level. I think we've done a very good job of changing with the times and helping industry understand the issues."
ODA's involvement with numerous food safety-related associations and organizations helps the industry and, ultimately, the consumer. The responsibility to provide safe food crosses multiple jurisdictions. Coordination is essential. ODA works closely with the US Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and public health officials during a product recall or a foodborne illness outbreak.
Outreach is offered to industry 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Food Safety Division's Web site at http://oregon.gov/ODA/FSD.
"We want to provide immediate responses to questions, complaints, and concerns about food safety," says Bybee. "It may take more effort, but that's a reasonable expectation of the public nowadays."
Boots on the ground
 | Jim Postlewait observes
procedures at dairy.
|
Last winter provided another opportunity for ODA's Food Safety Division to distinguish itself. Heavy rain pelted the Oregon Coast and led to serious flooding in the low-lying areas of Tillamook County-home to an important dairy industry. The geographic territory belonged to Food Safety Specialist Alex Manderson, a relative newcomer to the agency. Washed out roads and high water kept emergency response officials from getting to the area and assessing the situation. Manderson was already there, already familiar with Tillamook, and uniquely situated to provide a line of communication back to Salem.
"Alex was the first to provide information on the Tillamook flooding to the governor, and was the main contact for emergency response officials over the first few days of the event," says Bybee.
Of course, being the conduit for information was in addition to Manderson's role of providing assistance to food retailers and dairies affected by the floodwaters. He provided after hours and weekend work duties that would not recede until the water did.
Training of staff members and participation in state and regional emergency exercises help the Food Safety Division achieve a high level of capability when real emergencies strike. Just this past year, the division participated in the Top-Off 4 national emergency exercise and in simulated events at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, Hanford Nuclear Power Plant, and the Columbia River Generating Plant. The training prepares staff to successfully respond to food safety issues under catastrophic events.
"Our staff is trained and then, in turn, trains the food industry and others," says Bybee. "We recognize the importance of frequent training and the need to remain current on food science and technology."
But all the training in the world won't help without the willingness and ability of ODA's food safety specialists to get to where they are needed, in times of emergency and when things are routine.
Out of sight, out of mind
Understandably, Oregonians tend to take food safety for granted when things are going well. You never hear about issues that are not considered problems. If ODA had its way, its food safety specialists would never be in the spotlight.
"It's kind of a testimonial to our efforts that when we are doing our job effectively, nobody really knows about it," says Bybee. "Most Oregonians don't even know about the licensing and inspection of food facilities and the benefits that are provided."
Inspection of licensed food facilities provides industry oversight and catches food safety problems quickly, so that corrective measures can be taken before anyone becomes ill. These routine on-site visits are done with the usual lack of fanfare.
There are nearly 8,000 licensed food establishments that include retail stores, food processors, bakeries, and warehouses. When problems are found, immediate corrective measures are taken by the licensee to ensure a safe and wholesome food product for consumers. Sanitary conditions used to be the primary focus. Sanitation is not ignored, but these days the most critical factors in food borne illnesses receive the most attention. Making sure at-risk foods are kept at the proper temperatures, watching for potential cross-contamination, and auditing processes used by those who handle food are key components to the inspection process.
The dread of having a state inspector on the grounds has been replaced with a willingness to accept the observations and expertise of the food safety specialist.
"We work in partnership with the industry," says Bybee. "Oregon food businesses want to provide a safe and wholesome product as well."
Given the enormous amount of food and the potential problems that could take place, Oregon has generally avoided big problems over the years. Inspections help keep it that way.
The beat goes on
When a person responsible for a heinous crime is on the loose, law enforcement conducts a manhunt. Earlier this year, food safety officials conducted a vegetable hunt of sorts. A rare but serious strain of salmonella left hundreds of people sick nationwide, many of them hospitalized. Federal officials once again relied on the states to help conduct the investigation. When it first appeared that tomatoes were responsible, ODA worked with FDA and the Oregon Public Health Division to verify the hunch. There were 11 Oregon cases associated with the national outbreak. Sampling, testing, and additional work pointed to a new suspect. In the end, Oregon was one of the first states to provide important information implicating Serrano peppers grown in Mexico.
"We work collaboratively with other agencies to provide a seamless service and response," says Bybee.
For its part, the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Division should be ready for the next unexpected event-or the next planned routine inspection. Either way, Oregon food consumers should know someone is watching out for them.
| | more... |
|
|
|
| Board of Agriculture spotlight |
|
|
|
| Dan Carver listens to local Lane County Legislators |
The State Board of Agriculture is keeping a keen eye on the upcoming session of the Oregon Legislature. Much is at stake at a time when resources are scarce. Several key matters will draw more than just interest among the 10 board members. These issues are expected to elicit strong opinions and perhaps formal recommendations in the form of resolutions and potential lobbying.
At the top of the list is the Oregon Department of Agriculture's 2009-11 budget and expected cuts in important areas like food safety (see Director's Column below). Governor Kulongoski's top priorities are also important to the board. Those include transportation infrastructure (improving the ability to get ag products to market), water quantity, climate change, and renewable energy.
At the November quarterly meeting of the Board of Agriculture, members spoke to a panel of legislators from Lane County. In some cases, board members want legislators to take on specific issues. In other cases, they simply want lawmakers to understand agriculture.
Chair Ken Bailey: "With the current budget situation, some of ODA's newer programs might face some cuts. The legislature needs to make sure the programs that are kept funded are the ones they really want to have, not just keeping the longest standing programs."
Bob Levy: "Water issues are more critical as climate change continues to make our summers longer and hotter. As the change occurs, storage water for agriculture will run out earlier causing conflict between agriculture and special interest groups. More funding is needed for continued study of water projects and, more importantly, for project implementation. Continuing to get real projects started to address the different water issues will avoid some of the future conflicts that will arise."
Jan Kerns: "Agriculture drives Oregon's economic engine. If the state looks at increasing fees to fund ODA programs, producers don't have the ability to push those costs anywhere else. We buy retail, sell wholesale. The economic viability of farmers and ranchers needs to be considered by the legislature."
Bernie Faber: "We have a great Oregon Department of Agriculture. Don't put our producers at a competitive disadvantage to other states by cutting important ODA programs that help agriculture."
Dan Carver: "Agriculture is working to reduce its carbon footprint. As a board representing the industry, we are always looking at that. I also hope the legislature continues to support Farm-to-School efforts.
Pat Dudley: "In the six years I've been on the Board of Agriculture, I've seen a great narrowing of the urban-rural divide. Those in agriculture are talking to conservationists and working together to protect and maintain agricultural lands."
Lynn Youngbar: "I want the legislature to appreciate what is going on in the industry when making important decisions. Agriculture is a sustainable industry. Most producers take good care of the natural resources they manage. Markets are changing rapidly as consumers get more discerning about their food source-there's a growing interest in certification and a broad range of options. As an urban person, I'm proud of Oregon's agriculture industry."
The Board of Agriculture will communicate key issues in written form in January 2009 when it presents its second "State of the Industry" report to the legislature.
| | more... |
|
|
|
| Director's column |
|
There is no question that the state of the economy is front page news these days and is impacting many individuals personally. What may not be apparent is that the economy also has a direct effect on the Oregon Department of Agriculture's budget and the programs that the agriculture industry and the public rely on. It may be the department's food safety program that provides inspections of food processing facilities as well as grocery stores. It may be the agricultural water quality program that helps the industry improve water quality in agriculturally impacted areas. Or it may be the plant program that helps keep unwanted invasive species such as noxious weeds, insect pests, and diseases from negatively impacting the state's environment or agricultural products. All of these services and many more will suffer in a reduced budget environment.
What should be our constituents' response to this budget reality? First of all, I would ask that you become engaged in the budget process during the next legislative session so that your voice and your interests will be well represented. Legislators need to understand what programs are important to Oregonians and the continued success of Oregon's agriculture industry. These programs may still experience cuts during the 2009-2011 biennium. However, if our constituents have done a good job demonstrating the importance of these programs, there will be an opportunity to restore cuts if and when the economic picture improves.
Secondly, our customers need to realize that the Oregon Department of Agriculture strives to maintain our involvement in key issues important to the industry and the public. We are now in a position of having to reduce our response to many of the requests we receive while maintaining viable programs with fewer resources. At the same time, there have been new demands placed on the agency, such as becoming involved in the water quantity policy discussions that have been occurring at the state level, or responding to the increasing interest in Oregon's air quality and agriculture's impact on that natural resource. The fact of the matter is, with these additional budget reductions, we will not be able to provide the level of service that we have in the past nor are we in a position to take on additional workload.
This budget picture is not limited to the Department of Agriculture alone. All natural resources agencies are facing similar budget reductions. There are individuals in the agricultural industry that believe cuts in state government are a good thing. Everyone certainly has a right to express their opinion about government and its appropriate size. However, I also believe that many of these same individuals rely on services that natural resources agencies provide and don't necessarily take the time to become educated about how these programs are funded.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has spent countless hours prioritizing the thirty-six different programs in our agency as well as soliciting input from our many constituent groups on those priorities. We have worked hard to reduce costs and improve efficiency in our service delivery. We continually receive extremely high satisfaction levels in our annual customer service survey. But the fact of the matter is, we will be doing less in the coming biennium. I invite you to ask questions about our programs and funding levels. I encourage you to become educated about our agency and the complex number of programs that we operate. And I ask you to help support us during the legislative process and as we continue to do the best we can to meet your needs.
|
|
|
|
| Urban farming - the new face in agriculture |
|
|
|
| A backyard "farm" in Albany, Oregon |
By Madeline MacGregor
Seeds well sown, bring success
There are many reasons for the emergence of a new breed of "farmer" on the scene. From rising fuel and imported food prices to a desire for locally grown and safe food products, city slickers and fresh food aficionados alike are beginning to get dirt beneath their shoes. And local businesses that support this trend are experiencing a boon.
In 2008 seed companies across the globe saw the largest increase in the sales of vegetable seed to home gardeners since World War II. As other types of retail sales plunge deep into the current economic recession, Oregon's specialized vegetable seed industry is blossoming.
Territorial Seed Company, located in Cottage Grove, has been in the business of growing both flower and vegetable seed for the home gardener since 1979. Owned by Tom and Julie Johns, the company is tracking the growth of the urban vegetable gardener.
According to Territorial's Product Developer Josh Kirschenbaum, the company experienced a 20 to 25 percent increase in overall sales over the last year. "We've made some changes to our catalog for 2009 to accommodate the trend and we'll be featuring an expanded vegetable section," he says. In the past, flower seed was a featured product in the catalog.
"We've switched things around a bit, and we're producing more of our open pollinated and certified organic vegetable seed." Josh notes that Territorial conducts all of its own seed trials and grows their own plants to ensure a good outcome for market growers and home gardeners alike.
"I think that the major reasons our sales have increased is because people are becoming more concerned about where their food is coming from (food safety), and the economy," figures Josh.
What products are growers ordering from local seed developers? Old-fashioned staples like onions, tomatoes, squash and corn seem to be high on the list. "Organic sweet corn sales have steadily increased, and we're marketing hybrids that we've trialed as well," adds Josh. "Our live vegetable plants seem to be very popular with people that maybe don't have the time or the desire to start from seed themselves."
Master gardeners from OSU Extension Service offices agree. Ellen Clay is a Master Gardener at the Marion County Extension Service in Salem. "We have noticed a lot more people purchasing pepper and tomato starts," she said. "They've even been adding smaller, more compact crops like blueberries and strawberries."
Growing community
Nichols Garden Nursery, a seed supply company and nursery located in Albany, Oregon, has been family owned for 60-years. Rose Marie Nichols McGee, daughter of the company's founders, sees another interesting twist to consumer trends.
"Not only have we seen an increase in sales over the summer, but more surprising was the interest in continuing vegetable gardens throughout the fall and even year round. They're not just waiting until the spring anymore. People want something in the garden all the time-perhaps keeping the space smaller but adding chard, kale, onions, carrots and beets."
Companies such as Territorial and Nichols, along with the OSU Extension Service, help educate first time vegetable growers. However, the novice has become less tentative about what they want to grow in their backyards.
"I have definitely noticed a shift," says Rose Marie. "The first time gardener used to be unsure about what to do, and wanted exact instructions, rules, and outcomes. That's kind of difficult to provide when you're dealing with nature. But now I see first time customers expressing an intense interest in food. They're fascinated with the variety of colors and variations, and they're not quite as intimidated about trying something new. I believe that gardening has become a part of the culture."
Rose Marie says that for many home vegetable growers, there's most likely a neighbor who is doing the same thing-they can talk to each over the fence, get advice, and build community at the same time.
Farmers' markets have played a role in educating the urban farmer as well. "People have started to appreciate what really fresh food is about, and how good it tastes," says McGee. "Even in mainstream grocery stores, the produce aisle is the flashiest. This is what nutritionists have been talking about all along; getting your daily five and our children having a healthy diet. It's all coming together in a positive way."
Tilling the earth for you; the pioneers of backyard farming
Sustainable minded agronomists are literally planting the seeds of farming into Oregon's backyards. In 2006 Donna Smith, a Portland dwelling farmer without acreage of her own, started a company with horticulturist friend Robyn Streeter. They called their new business Your Backyard Farmer. Their business became the model for the industry niche of "farmer" installed, maintained, and harvested vegetable plots in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) styled gardens across America.
Smith and Streeter not only enter into agreement with urbanites to design, landscape, and build home vegetable plots, but also provide their clients with a weekly box of freshly harvested vegetables grown on the homeowner's property. The backyard farmers teach their clientele about weather related risks with their crops, soil amendments, composting, water resources, and how to prepare meals from their fresh and tasty harvest.
Smith and Streeter do not believe this increased interest in homegrown food is a passing trend. Citing economic challenges, Smith advocates that the backyard vegetable plots "...are not just landscapes, but rather places to feed your children." And with the attention focused on food safety, she notes that raising food on the homeowner's property is "...food security brought into the neighborhoods. It's all right there in their own yards."
In 2008, Smith and Streeter installed 47 "backyard farms" and founded 11 miniature, neighborhood CSAs. "We recently developed a miniature CSA on land where 12 neighbors share the vegetables with each other. They not only looked at their own need for fresh food, but at what their community would benefit from," says Smith. "In a place where neighbors never even spoke to each other, they now decide as a group who will use the beets this week."
Smith and Streeter have been invited by organizations across the US and around the world to teach urban farming as a model for feeding the hungry. "I never realized where this was all going to lead," says Smith.
It all ends at the beginning
If Oregon's specialty vegetable seed industry continues to sustain businesses like Your Backyard Farmer, providing seeds and starts to gardeners worldwide, it will most likely expand its production within the Willamette Valley.
Rose Marie Nichols McGee sees her customers demanding Oregon grown vegetable seed more than ever before. "We think of our industry as the proverbial bread basket, and it's truly remarkable that what comes out of this valley travels around the world."
McGee says that Willamette Valley grown radish, broccoli, and beet seeds are becoming more and more important to not only the state's many gardeners and farmers' market producers, but to the international customer as well. "Our Oregon radish seed is bought by overseas farmers, and then most likely travels back to us from Japan as the finished product."
As the call for locally grown and safe produce becomes more pronounced, Oregon's vegetable seed growers not only engage a community of backyard gardeners, but foster sustainable practices and dialogue throughout the world. And from urban farmer to major grower, there's simply no food without a seed well sown.
|
|
|
|
| Local company and grower partner on small wind project |
|
By Stephanie Page
Like most farmers, Michael and Chris Bernards have watched their input costs soar over the past few years.
"Input prices doubled, but our crop prices were going down," Michael Bernards explained during a recent tour sponsored by the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District. "Last year, our electric bill was $9,000. We began looking at alternative energy sources as one way to cut costs."
Michael and Chris initially looked at solar energy, but also decided to explore wind energy because their farm is located in a windy area southwest of McMinnville. Wind blows through gaps in the coast range providing their farm an annual average of ten-plus miles per hour.
In January, Chris attended the Harvesting Clean Energy conference, which focused on energy opportunities for agriculture and forestry in the Pacific Northwest. She met Greg Price from Abundant Renewable Energy (ARE), a small wind turbine manufacturer in Newberg.
"We were initially looking for a 25-30 kilowatt turbine, but they weren't easily available," explains Michael. They became interested in the 10-kilowatt turbine manufactured by ARE.
"Part of why we went to them was to shop local," Bernards explains. ARE also assisted the Bernards with locating other incentives to help finance the project.
"We wanted to do this project to reduce our costs," Bernards emphasizes. "It had to make economic sense for us to be willing to do it."
A typical 10-kW turbine, before incentives, costs $80-90,000, which would take 45 years to pay back at current electricity rates. Fortunately, assistance from the Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit made the project pencil out. After incentives, the Bernards' out-of-pocket costs were approximately $12,000, with a payback period of 5-10 years in saved energy costs.
The Bernards evaluated several possible sites for the turbine on their farm. "The site we selected was actually the third best site as far as wind resources," Michael explains. The best site was several hundred feet away from electrical lines, so it would have required installing expensive wire to interconnect to the power grid. "The second best site was near trees, and we would have had to remove them to minimize turbulence." The site they chose is close enough to farm buildings that an interconnection to the power grid didn't require running wire a long distance, but far enough away to minimize air turbulence.
Michael reports that the permitting process for the turbine was very straightforward. "Every county's permitting process is a little different. Yamhill County was very easy to work with. We had to get a building permit to put up the turbine and that was it," he explains.
ARE installed the turbine on the Bernard's farm during its contractor training in May of 2008. The turbine sits on top of a 120-foot tilt-down tower, allowing the Bernards to bring it to the ground when it needs maintenance.
The Bernards are now waiting for the wind to pick up after sunny, still weather during the month of October. Michael explains that when the wind is blowing and the turbine is producing electricity, it first provides electricity to meet the farm's needs. Any surplus electricity feeds into the power grid. Portland General Electric will credit the Bernards for the electricity produced, subtracting it from their power bill as part of a net-metering agreement. Through net-metering, landowners can be credited for electricity production to offset up to one hundred percent of their annual electricity use.
"We use a significant amount of electricity for heating, cooling, and irrigation," Bernards explains. "We are hoping to offset about a quarter of our energy use."
Is a small wind tower project possible on your farm or ranch? Generally, you need to have average annual wind speeds of at least 10 miles per hour to make a project economically feasible.
Check your wind speed at http://firstlook.3tiergroup.com.
For more information, visit ODA's Ag and Energy Web site at http://oregon.gov/ODA/energy.shtml or contact Stephanie Page at 503-986-4565.
| | more... |
|
|
|
| It's not too late to winterize your equipment |
|
The Oregon Department of Agriculture encourages users of power tools, all-terrain vehicles, boats, and other tools that are used on a seasonal basis to winterize their equipment, especially if they have been using ethanol-blended fuel.
"Winterizing equipment properly is always a good idea, whether you're using straight gasoline or an ethanol blend," says Stephanie Page, ODA renewable energy specialist. "Most manufacturers recommend preparing equipment before storage over the winter, or any extended period of time. But it's especially important to do this if the fuel is 10 percent ethanol."
Oregon's Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires gasoline sold in Oregon to be 10 percent ethanol, took effect earlier this year. Most manufacturers have approved ethanol for use in power tools and off-road equipment up to a 10 percent blend. However, Oregon's Renewable Fuel Standard also allows fuel stations to sell unblended gasoline for certain uses, including antique vehicles, boats, all-terrain vehicles, aircraft, and power tools.
ODA, responsible for implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard, has worked with the Oregon State Marine Board to compile a growing list of stations that sell non-blended fuel. The list, along with winterizing tips for boat owners, is available at http://www.boatoregon.com.
Ethanol-blended fuel can develop unique problems if stored in a gas tank for a long time.
"Even though non-blended fuel is available for these specific uses, many off-road vehicle operators are using ethanol-blended fuel in their equipment," says Russ Wyckoff, administrator of ODA's Measurement Standards Division. "Ethanol can absorb water, which is more likely to happen when it's left sitting for a long period of time. Ethanol saturated with water separates from the gasoline, creating two separate fuels-a problem for the engine when it's started again."
Unblended gasoline can also degrade if left in a fuel tank for a long period of time and may lead to performance problems the following spring. Some equipment operators add a stabilizer to unblended fuel to prevent it from degrading. However, what works with non-blended fuel won't necessarily prevent problems with ethanol-blended fuel.
Another good practice is to make sure equipment has an empty fuel tank in the offseason.
"Many manufacturers recommend leaving the tank empty over the winter to avoid fuel degradation," explains Page. "This goes for all fuels, whether pure gasoline or an ethanol blend."
The best way to ensure equipment is properly winterized is to contact the manufacturer or consult your owner's manual for special precautions to take when storing equipment with ethanol-blended fuel
.
Hopefully, when spring rolls around, your engine will cause you no problems.
| | more... |
|
|
|
| Climate change and Oregon agriculture |
|
|
|
| Weeds gain hold when temperatures change |
Though we see daily, seasonal, and some annual variations in Pacific Northwest weather, Oregonians have known more or less what to expect of our climate over the past few decades. But it may be less predictable in the future.
Researchers, government officials, and many individual residents of the Pacific Northwest-including those in agriculture-are responding to climate change as a reality. Oregon agriculture is destined to be part of the solution, even if its role as part of the problem is under debate.
"Agriculture needs to get involved now to help address climate change by putting together a response that makes sense to us and is effective," said Ken Bailey, a cherry grower from The Dalles and chair of the State Board of Agriculture.
Many agricultural producers, whether or not they believe in human-caused global warming, have observed glacier melt and flooding, sustained high summer temperatures and dry days, and emerging insect pest and weed problems.
According to Chad Kruger of Washington State University's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, climate models predict significant change by the year 2020. The average temperature for the Pacific Northwest is expected to go up about two degrees Celsius. Precipitation is harder to predict, but he expects drier summers and wetter winters, with more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow.
"The most obvious impact will be on snowpack," says Kruger. "This will create water shortages. The snow will melt earlier and the higher elevation snow will be more likely to melt. In Oregon, where there is a dependency on irrigation systems, there could be serious issues."
Nearly two million acres of Oregon agriculture are irrigated. Nearly 45 percent of Oregon farms irrigate some or all of their land. Irrigated farms produce 77 percent of the total value of harvested crops in Oregon. An insufficient winter snowpack produces less snowmelt water for summer irrigation. The impact could be huge.
By 2050, Kruger predicts the need for irrigation water rationing every other year. That could have serious economic impacts not only on the farm, but for processors who have critical need for water.
Climate change might create more challenging pest problems. A warmer temperature could allow an additional generation of pests such as coddling moth during a growing season. Warmer winters will increase the potential for weeds and animal pests to survive until the next spring. A different climate may make it easier for new pests and diseases to establish in Oregon. Kruger also says weeds have greater genetic diversity than crops, allowing them to adapt more quickly to climate change.
And, of course, climate change may simply alter the ability of current crops to thrive in Oregon due to a number of factors. Kruger explains that the increased weather variations expected with climate change add another layer of uncertainty to the already risky business of agricultural production.
Many farmers have already taken steps to lessen greenhouse gas emissions that may lead to climate change. Some have switched to using biofuels to power their equipment instead of fossil fuels. Others have reduced soil tillage, allowing carbon to build up in the soil. Others, including dairy producers, are reducing methane emissions by altering livestock diets, managing manure differently, or installing methane digesters that turn methane into electricity.
"Agriculture is looking at climate-friendly farming," says Kruger. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring soil carbon, replacing fossil fuels with biomass-these are all strategies to positively deal with climate change."
Keeping organic matter in the soil promotes fertility and removes carbon from the atmosphere where it can contribute to global warming. Additional research can lead to strategies and incentives for saving soil carbon.
"Crop choices may have more impact on carbon in the soil than management practices such as no-till," says Kruger. His studies show that a crop of barley planted in the Palouse of Eastern Washington under conventional tillage does a better job of saving carbon in the soil than planting peas in a no-till system.
Currently, market-based incentives from organizations such as the Chicago Climate Exchange and Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association are available for several types of agricultural projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. In the future, growers may benefit from selling carbon credits through a cap-and-trade program.
In cap-and-trade, a cap is set on emissions, and polluters can either install technology to reduce their emissions or they can purchase credits from non-regulated industries that voluntary reduce emissions or sequester carbon. Oregon will likely consider a cap-and-trade program in the next two legislative sessions, with input from the public over the next few years. Depending on the design of the program, agricultural producers could sell credits to those entities that need to meet the cap.
Given all of the possible benefits and negative impacts to agriculture from climate change, it is critical for growers to communicate their views on research priorities, cap-and-trade program design, and carbon credit design to policymakers. At the same time, Oregon agriculture will adapt, innovate, and manage its way through another new challenge-just as it has for generations.
For information 
oregon.gov/ODA/climatechange.shtml
| | more... |
|
|
|
| What's the forecast? |
|
Ask ODA
All signs point to a wetter, slightly cooler winter this year. That's good news for Oregon agriculture, as the season might bring the kind of weather that leads to ample water supplies. For all Oregonians, the long-term advice over the next several months is to dress warmly and try to stay dry. A three-month seasonal climate outlook released by Oregon Department of Agriculture Meteorologist Pete Parsons provides an educated prediction on what the winter weather may bring.
Based on weather data of past years under similar climatic conditions, including the winters of 1929-30, 1974-75, and 1989-90, Parsons is predicting slightly above normal precipitation and
slightly below normal temperatures. There is an elevated chance of unseasonably cold and/or mild periods and Willamette Valley snow, including above average low-elevation snowfall and above average snow in the Cascades.
In short, there's a good chance that Oregon will avoid weather moderation this winter, and what you would normally expect just might not happen!
ODA's seasonal climate forecast can be found in detail on ODA's Web site at http://oregon.gov/ODA/NRD/weather.shtml#Weather_forecasts. It will be updated monthly.
| | more... |
|
|
|
| Oregon benefits from Specialty Crop Grants |
|
|
|
| Mint growers benefit from specialty crop grant |
Oregon’s diverse and specialized agriculture industry is getting a boost in the form of federal dollars stemming from the 2008 Farm Bill. The money, provided to the Oregon Department of Agriculture for disbursement to successful applicants, will provide assistance to producers of mint, potatoes, grass seed, wine, and pears. To a state like Oregon, where no single commodity dominates overall agricultural production, any funds that help specialty crops are quite welcome.
ODA received ten applications for $116,000 available from the US Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Five applicants were awarded grants ranging from $14,000 to $30,000 to help promote products or develop new processes and practices. In past farm bills, federal appropriations targeted large program crops primarily grown in the Midwest and South such as wheat, corn, soy beans, and cotton.
“For years, the majority of USDA funds have gone to states with commodities that Oregon, for the most part, does not produce,” says Gary Roth, administrator of ODA’s Agricultural Development and Marketing Division. “USDA’s Specialty Crop Grant program enables Oregon to resolve issues and address opportunities for our specialty crops that could not otherwise be done without this funding.”
Individual states received federal funds in proportion to the percentage of the specialty crops they produce. Oregon’s specialty crop percentage is relatively high, so its allocation was greater than most other states. Still, the $116,000 had to be focused on proposals that provided the largest possible benefit. Individual companies or commercial entities were not eligible for consideration and applicants were highly encouraged to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match.
“Funded groups represent various geographic areas of Oregon and a range of specialty crops for which we are known,” says Lindsay Benson Eng, ODA Special Projects Coordinator. “ODA will make all research and information developed from these projects available to the rest of the industry.”
ODA selected the following five applications for specialty crop funding:
The Oregon Mint Commission received $30,000 to conduct research on using microwave technology instead of a steam distillery process to extract oil from mint. Essential oil extraction by steam distillation is more than a century old and is a very energy intensive process. Present day resource demands and the increasing cost of petroleum has prompted the interest in finding a new method. Lab experiments and field studies funded by the mint industry show up to 60 percent less energy is required to extract essential oils through the use of solvent-free microwave extraction. The specialty crop grant will help the mint industry see if the process is feasible on a multi-ton level.
The Oregon Potato Commission received $22,000 for a marketing and education campaign aimed at Taiwan, Oregon’s largest export market for fresh potatoes. Part of the campaign will involve using an executive chef to demonstrate uses for Oregon’s chipping potato varieties to Taiwanese restaurant representatives and food suppliers. Oregon potato export volumes to Taiwan will be monitored and evaluated to determine the success of the project.
The Oregon Seed Council received $30,000 to study the economics of carbon sequestration in turf grass grown for seed. With the creation of the Governor’s Commission on Global Warming and other activities to create recommendations on dealing with climate change, the research project will give policy makers data on the economics of using grass seed production as a resource for carbon sequestration. The industry would like a better idea of what financial incentives will be required to encourage farmers to change practices and techniques in order to participate in a voluntary carbon market.
The Oregon Wine Consortium, representing several Willamette Valley wineries, received $20,000 to organize a trade mission and a series of promotional events in Japan, China, and Taiwan. The export of Oregon wines to Asia has grown significantly. The industry would like to expand and diversify market opportunities in the Pacific Rim. Various events will attract wine importers, distributors, and media with a key promotion slated at the FoodEx trade show in Japan next March.
The Fruit Growers League of Jackson County received $14,000 to conduct a marketing promotion of the Comice pear—a variety grown in Southern Oregon—to targeted domestic markets on the east coast, southwestern US, and, specifically, California. In-store demonstrations and tastings will be conducted by growers at key retail outlets. The industry expects increased sales of Comice as a result of the campaign.
Work plans for each project have been submitted and passed along by ODA to USDA. ODA will also provide quarterly progress reports. Specialty crop funding is now built into the Farm Bill and states can count on additional federal dollars in the future. As a result, ODA is developing a specialty crop grant outreach program.
Next year’s allocation to all states from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is set for $45 million. Given the same formula used for the current round, Oregon could receive up to four times more money in 2009, which could be well over half a million dollars for eligible applicants.
Every dollar helps Oregon agriculture—with all its specialty crops—become more competitive in the marketplace.
|
|
|
|
| ODA looks at spring gypsy moth project in Eugene |
|
Gypsy moth trapping in Oregon has officially ended for 2008 with a final tally of 12 gypsy moths detected statewide—the same number of catches as last year. A majority of detections have taken place in a residential area of Eugene, which could lead to a spray project next spring to eradicate the plant-eating invasive insect.
Officials are generally pleased with the results considering what it was like in the mid-1980s when some 19,000 gypsy moths were trapped in Lane County alone.
“Twelve moths doesn’t sound like very many when you compare it to the hundreds of thousands of gypsy moths found in the eastern part of the US,” says Helmuth Rogg, supervisor of the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program. “But we still want to keep the gypsy moth out of Oregon and protect our beautiful state.”
Of the 12 gypsy moths trapped in Oregon this year, seven were found in a residential neighborhood of south Eugene.
There were no detections of gypsy moth in Shady Cove of Jackson County, the site of this year’s only gypsy moth eradication project in Oregon. Last year, six gypsy moths were trapped in the area.
“We will have another year of mass trapping in Shady Cove to make sure we eradicated that gypsy moth population,” says Rogg. “Our experience is that two years of negative trapping—no detections of gypsy moth in the treated area—indicates the gypsy moths have been eradicated.”
Although no final decisions for 2009 have been made, it appears that the site in Eugene is a strong candidate for a spray project. The seven detected gypsy moths were caught near the site where two moths were captured in 2007.
“That indicates to us there is a likelihood of a breeding population of gypsy moth in the area,” says Rogg. “What we are preparing to propose is an area to be treated before the breeding population of gypsy moth spreads to other areas of southeast Eugene.”
In particular, ODA is looking to keep the invasive species from establishing in a nearby forested area in Eugene’s Amazon Park, which would make it much more difficult to eradicate in future years.
“Our philosophy is to have a sound detection program that will find the gypsy moths early and allow us conduct eradicative actions over a very small area, impacting as few people as possible,” says Rogg.
ODA will make many preparations between now and next spring. These preparations include developing an environmental impact study and gathering data to present at public information meetings that will likely be held early next year. Information will be sent directly to affected residents in the area. Although plans are still under development, it is expected that aerial applications of the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk)—a pest-specific bacteria which has been used safely and successfully on gypsy moth for decades in Oregon—will be proposed for an area between 640 and 1,000 acres in Eugene. The product is certified and labeled for organic farming.
The final decision to spray will be made by early spring.
|
|
|
|
| PURS deadline approaches |
|
The Oregon Department of Agriculture reminds those who fall under Oregon’s Pesticide Use Reporting System (PURS) that the reporting deadline for this past year is fast approaching. All 2008 pesticide applications must be reported online through PURS no later than January 31, 2009. The requirement to report applies to anyone using a registered pesticide or pest control product in the course of business, or for a government entity, or in a public place.
PURS became operational in January 2007 and is now collecting its second year of reports. The electronic reporting system allows pesticide users to register and submit information to a secure Web site that will confidentially collect, summarize, and retain data. PURS will provide information on what pesticides are being used in Oregon, in what quantities, and generally where they are being applied.
PURS staff members are available by telephone Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 503‑986-6472 to help with any questions or problems experienced by pesticide users who need to report. Messages can also be left at the same number after hours and will be returned as soon as possible the next business day. Questions can also be e-mailed to <purs-info@oda.state.or.us>.
Oregon law specifically states that not reporting is a violation and subject to enforcement action. Depending on the circumstances, ODA could issue a notice of violation, a civil penalty, or revocation of a pesticide-related license.
PURS is available at http://oregon.gov/ODA/PEST/purs_index.shtml. Additional information about the system and its requirements are also available on the Web site.
| | more... |
|
|
|
| Announcements |
|
Harvesting Clean Energy Conference
The ninth annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference will take place in Billings, Montana on January 25-27. The conference focuses on renewable energy opportunities for agricultural producers and rural communities in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit the conference Web site at http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/conference
State Board of Agriculture Meeting
Dates: Subcommittee meetings are scheduled for Wednesday February 11, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Regular two day meeting: Thursday February 12, and Friday February 13, 2009, 8:30 a.m.
Location: Agriculture Building Hearings Room, 635 Capitol Way NW, Salem, OR, 97321
Contact: Madeline MacGregor, 503-986-4758 or Email mmacgreg@oda.state.or.us
Century Farm & Ranch Sesquicentennial Award Ceremony
Five farms and ranches will be recognized for their 150-years of agricultural sustainability.
The award ceremony will be held at the State Capitol Building on Saturday February 14, 2009, and coincides with statewide OR 150 activities. The public is invited to take part.
For more information, please contact Glenn and Judith Mason at 503-297-5892 or Email orcentury@juno.com
Oregon Invasive Species Council
February 18, and 19, 2009, Salem
Oregon State Weed Board meeting
February 19, and 20, 2009, Salem
For more information contact Jo Davis, 503-986-4757, or by Email
Deadlines for whole-farm revenue protection approaching
Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite)
AGR and AGR-Lite policies offer whole-farm revenue protection against low revenue due to unavoidable natural disasters and market fluctuations that affect income during the insurance year. Protection levels are based on producer’s five-year historical IRS farm income information and annual farm reports. AGR and AGR-Lite offer protection for most farm-raised crops, animals, and animal products, including direct marketing, organic, and other production systems. Premiums are usually lower than other insurance plans and premiums are reduced if coupled with other multiple-peril crop insurance (MPCI).
The AGR deadline is January 31, 2009 and the AGR-Lite deadline is March 15, 2009..
More information: Email or Web http://oregon.gov/ODA/risk_mgt.shtml
|
|
|
|
|
|
