Oregon

Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture announced the first investment of a $1 billion effort to mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis.  USDA announced a $197 million investment for 100 projects that benefit 22 states as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program.  The For...

The potato is one step closer to becoming the state vegetable of Oregon.  State Senator Bill Hansell posed this question before this week's vote.   "Should the potato the Oregon vegetable be, or not to be, that is the question before us."   Hans...

According to NASS, Hop Stocks across the Pacific Northwest fell 4% from 2022’s numbers.  The inventory of hops held by growers, dealers, and brewers on March 1st, totaled 186 million pounds, off from the 193 million pounds reported last year.   That’s...

Pile burning, and the smoke it produces, could soon be a thing of the past in Oregon.  Via a pilot project, the Bureau of Land Management is testing the CharBoss Air Curtain Incinerator to burn the debris left behind from hazard tree logging efforts.   “It’ ...

Those living in south central Washington may have the pest Japanese beetle in their yards right now.   For those that do, they can get their properties treated free of charge this spring.   Following up on the in-person open house held earlier this month, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will host a virtual open house on Tuesday, starting a noon (PT) to share information about its pl

The potato would become the Oregon state vegetable under a resolution in the legislature.  Potatoes are the top selling vegetable in Oregon, with growers harvesting over 2.5 billion pounds of spuds each year.   "Nothing rises to the stature of the potato as far as jobs produced, as far as products shipped, and as far as farm gate dollars coming in," said State Senator Bill Hansell.   &qu

According to NASS, honey production in Washington last year hit 2.75 million pounds, a 10% drop from 2021.  There were 86,000 honey producing colonies, 10,000 lower than the previous year.  The yield per colony averaged 32.0 pounds, unchanged from the previous year.  Washington's...

Speaking to young people about a future of agriculture can be intimidating.  But Oregon FFA Secretary Maddie Dollarhide has some tips to make the process a bit easier.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is scheduled to visit Oregon this weekend.  Senator Jeff Merkley said he’s asked the Secretary for some time to come to the state and talk about important investments in tourism.   “To discuss public recreation on public lands, which, we have these extraordinary lands that are in our collective ownership.  And we want to make sure...

The 95th annual Oregon FFA state convention gets underway Thursday at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond.  Ontario’s Kinsley Kemble, this year’s Oregon FFA Vice President said an estimated 3,000 members and guests will be in attendance over the next three days as the convention returns to normal post-pandemic.   “This year we wer...