Oregon legislature

Earlier this week, the Oregon Department of Agriculture launched the application period for the new Oregon Meat Processing Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grant. That application window runs until Mach 23rd at noon Pacific. The ODA’s Theresa Yoshioka said the grant comes via a $2 million investment from the 2021 Oregon Legislature's state funding package. She ...

During the upcoming session, lawmakers in Salem will look at altering overtime exemptions for agricultural workers. If approved, it would require overtime pay for all farm workers once they’ve crossed 40 hours in a week. The farming community is expressing fear of what this could do to the ag economy and the state’s overall economy. Devon Wel ...

On Monday, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 892, directing the state Department of Agriculture to establish a disaster assistance program. Lawmakers allocated $40 million to a new, one-of-a-kind program to help mitigate economic losses farmers and ranchers suffered because of natural disasters in 2021, which included an ice storm, record heat, drought and wildfire smoke ...

Last week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown went before the Joint Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development, urging lawmakers to support her call for investments to expand broadband access statewide. Brown has proposed an $118 million investment, with a focus on providing broadband access to underserved communities that, she says, have been disproportionately impacted during the pandemic

Elin Miler with the Oregon Wine Council talks about pending legislation that could have a big impact on the industry statewide. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

The Oregon Wine Council's Elin Miler talks about the challenges brought on by the remote 2021 legislative session. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

On Monday, eastern Oregon’s Cliff Bentz was appointed to the House Natural Resources Committee. Bentz says the appointment is an excellent fit, and will provide him the opportunity to apply his unique knowledge of water, energy, carbon, forests, minerals, and federal land management. “ ...

This was a difficult year for Oregon farmers, but not just because of the coronavirus pandemic. Oregon Farm Bureau President Barb Iverson said the year started off with a difficult legislative session in Salem that focused on climate change, and taxing small businesses ...

Oregon State University's new Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Fire Program recently pivoted from fire prevention education to helping landowners recover from recent wildfire losses. Fire Program Manager Carrie Berger said the program shifted it's focus because it will take years for many to sort through the rubble and rebuild ...

On Wednesday, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the selection of six awardees for the Farm to School Equipment and Infrastructure Grant Program. The grant helps Oregon farmers, ranchers, seafood harvesters, and food processors get more of their local products to children state wide, through programs such as National School Lunch Programs (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CA