Click here for event flyers and registration form.

When: May 31 and June 1

Cost: $50 for one day or $75 for both days

Where: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
38814 S. Meridian Rd. in Woodburn

Hope to see you there!

Click to see PDF of primary endorsements.

In House District 48 (Happy Valley/Damascus area east of Portland), champion for natural resource families Rep. Mike Schaufler (D) faces an opponent funded by anti-agriculture downtown Portland special interests. “Mike stands strong with farm families, no matter what heat he takes for it. He’s one of the best friends we have in Salem, and we’ll do everything we can for him in this race,” said OFB President Barry Bushue.

In House District 56 (most of Klamath and Lake Counties), long-time OFB leader Tracey Liskey also has a contested primary. “Few people have contributed more to the ag community than Tracey has over the last two decades. From task forces, to the OFB board, to the state board of agriculture, Tracey has a record of public service second to none. He’s a real farmer, a leader who has proven he can get results,” said Bushue.

In both districts, there is no general election opponent, so the race will be decided in the primary. If you live in HD 48 or 56, or you know people who do, the best way to support these friends of the family farm is to vote for them and encourage others to do the same. If you don’t live in either district, you can still contribute financially or as a volunteer for both campaigns. To help great advocates like these, you can also contribute to the OFB Political Action Committee, which supports candidates like these every year.

U.S. Congress: Rep. Greg Walden, District 2 and Rep. Kurt Schrader, District 5

Note: The OFB Board of Directors approved “A” grades to the following legislators for their voting records and work on behalf of Farm Bureau in the 2011-12 legislative cycle.

 Note: All state legislators who received an “A” grade from the OFB Board of Directors are endorsed by OFB. However, there are a small handful of legislators who received “As,” but are not running for re-election in 2012.

Find what legislative district you are in. 

Oregon House of Representatives (organized by district):
Wayne Krieger, Dist. 1             Tim Freeman, Dist. 2               Wally Hicks, Dist. 3
Dennis Richardson, Dist. 4       Sal Esquivel, Dist. 6                 Bruce Hanna, Dist. 7
Andy Olson, Dist. 15                 Sherrie Sprenger, Dist. 17       Vic Gilliam, Dist. 18
Kevin Cameron, Dist. 19          Vicki Berger, Dist. 20               Brian Clem, Dist. 21
Jim Thompson, Dist. 23           Jim Weidner, Dist. 24               Kim Thatcher, Dist. 25
Matt Wingard, Dist. 26            Katie Brewer, Dist. 29               Shawn Lindsay, Dist. 30
Julie Parrish, Dist. 37               Bill Kennemer, Dist. 39            Mike Schaufler, Dist. 48
Matt Wand, Dist. 49                 Patrick Sheehan, Dist. 51         Mark Johnson, Dist. 52
Gene Whisnant, Dist. 53          Jason Conger, Dist. 54              Mike McLane, Dist. 55
Bill Garrard, Dist. 56                Greg Smith, Dist. 57                 Bob Jenson, Dist. 58
John Huffman, Dist. 59            Cliff Bentz, Dist. 60

Oregon Senate (organized by district):
Jeff Kruse, Dist. 1                    Jason Atkinson, Dist. 2              Chris Edwards, Dist. 7
Frank Morse, Dist. 8               Fred Girod, Dist. 9                     Brian Boquist, Dist. 12
Larry George, Dist. 13            Bruce Starr, Dist. 15                  Alan Olsen, Dist. 20
Chuck Thomsen, Dist. 26        Chris Telfer, Dist. 27                 Doug Whitsett, Dist. 28
David Nelson, Dist. 29             Ted Ferrioli, Dist. 30

While the number of bills introduced was limited, the scope and size of issues were large and encompassing, including creating a health care exchange and education reform. This made many in and out of the Capitol wonder if 35 days was enough time to tackle policy issues. From the start, the Legislature’s pace was fast, and it was challenging for constituents to follow Capitol action and provide input to elected officials.

Despite the compressed timeline, farmers and ranchers made their presence known during Farm Bureau’s Day at the Capitol on Feb. 6. OFB thanks the dozens of volunteers who came out to meet and mingle with their legislators. That level of engagement is what makes Farm Bureau the effective grassroots organization it is.

While big natural resource policies did not pass in the 2012 Session, there were bills of interest to Oregon’s farm, ranch, and forest families.

Note on Legislator Grades: The OFB Board of Directors voted to base the grades on legislator voting records for specific bills from both the 2011 and short 2012 Legislative Sessions.

The board also adopted a motion to endorse legislators who earned an “A” grade and are seeking re-election to their current seat in the 2012 primary and general elections.

See OFB Legislator grades for the Oregon House of Representatives Note: Rep. Andy Olsen, Dist. 15, was accidentally omitted from this matrix. He received a 100% “A” grade from OFB for his excellent work supporting Oregon agriculture.

See OFB Legislator grades for the Oregon Senate

Bills from the 2012 Legislative Session:

Wolf Depredation Tax Credit, HB 4005 (passed): This bill created a tax credit for livestock producers for the probable loss of livestock to wolves, and caped the total amount of tax credits to $37,500 per year. OFB is disappointed by the lack of action of HB 4158, which would have allowed ODFW to take wolves when implementing the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. Due to active litigation, a judge has placed a stay on the state taking wolves that are killing livestock.

Oregon Health Insurance Exchange, HB 4164 (passed): This bill creates an online marketplace for individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance. Allows customers to compare plans and choose the one that is best for themselves or their family. Makes purchasing health care easier for individuals and for small businesses. Requires insurance companies to compete on cost and quality.

O & C Lands Management, SJM 201 (passed): In response to federal legislation, this Memorial to Congress urges the allowance of Oregon counties to manage the Oregon and California Railroad grant lands instead of the federal government.

Wetland Delineations, SB 1582 (passed): This bill creates process by which a landowner may request an independent review of wetland delineation determinations made by Department of State Lands.

Land Use Regionalization, HB 4095 (did not pass): While this legislation failed, a line item was added to the Budget Reconciliation Bill (HB 5701) to fund an anticipated Governor’s directive for a pilot regional land use planning project, which may include counties petitioning LCDC to consider regional definitions of agricultural
and forest lands. OFB policy supports regionalization of Oregon’s land
use system, but opposes regional or county definitions of agricultural and
forest lands. The details of the Governor’s Executive Order are unknown. Once it is announced, OFB is prepared to engage in the process.

Unresolved Issues

Farmworker Housing Tax Credit, HB 4038: While OFB’s efforts to
extend this credit during the 2011 and 2012 sessions were unsuccessful, OFB has one last chance next session before the program sunsets, or ends. This is an important program that helps labor-dependent ag producers offer housing to their workforce while complying
with OSHA health and safety standards. With the deadline for sunset fast
approaching, it’s more important than ever for Farm Bureau members to advocate for the extension of this important tax credit.

The bill passed the House Energy, Environment, and Water Committee, but
was stalled in the House Revenue Committee. OFB appreciates the work and attention Reps. Jules Bailey and Vic Gilliam gave to extending the Oregon farmworker
housing tax credit this session.

Water Development, HB 4101: While HB 4101 did not pass this Session,
OFB remains committed to ensuring access to water for irrigation and economic
development. A statewide water development bill is expected to be introduced in 2013 that will build on the work accomplished with HB 4101.

Additionally, Governor Kitzhaber designated the Columbia River Water
Supply Program as an Oregon Solutions Project. In the near term, Oregon Solutions will bring together key interests to develop several specific proposals for implementation over the next two to three years.

The proposals will support expanded agriculture and will benefit fisheries and other in-stream uses. It is doubtful that the Governor’s commitment would be there without the Legislature’s effort.

Read Capital Press article about the session.

Everyone is welcome, but please RSVP to Kathy Hadley: kathyfree17@aol.com
or 503.559.5901.

As they have done for the past decade and a half, farmer and rancher members of many local Farm Bureaus will reach out to consumers in their communities during Food Check-Out Week (Feb. 19-25 this year). The official theme of the week is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food.” The theme reflects the continuing reality that many Americans are feeling an economic squeeze and as a result, eat out less often and prepare more meals at home.

Offering practical information and tips on how to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars is just one aspect of Food Check-Out Week. Many participating farmers and ranchers also are committed to responding to broader questions consumers may have about food—how it is grown or raised and long-term effects on people’s health and the planet.

On Monday, February 20, Oregon Farm Bureau members will donate hundreds of dollars worth of nutritious food to Portland Ronald McDonald House Charities in recognition of Food Check-Out Week.  Through charitable donations to local Ronald McDonald Houses during Food Check-Out Week, farmers and ranchers recognize the need everyone has to find solutions to feeding families healthy foods on a tight budget.

For many ag producers, this stepped-up interest in conversations about food, whether through community outreach, in-person conversations, or social media interaction with consumers, was sparked by The Food Dialogues, a new effort to bring together different viewpoints on farming and ranching, and the future of food.

The Food Dialogues is an initiative of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, a coalition of farmers, ranchers and their industry partners, committed to continuously improving how they grow and raise food that provides healthy choices for people everywhere. USFRA strives to bring together different viewpoints on farming and ranching and the future of food to solve today’s most challenging problems.

“For too long, farmers and ranchers have not had a voice in conversations about where food in America comes from,” said Roberta Valladao, a rancher from Bly, Oregon and chair of the Oregon Farm Bureau Women’s Advisory Council. “Now more than ever before, both during special observances such as Food Check-Out Week and as they go about their day-to-day routines, farmers are committed to participating in conversations with consumers, to answer the questions they have about food,” she said.

Although the way farmers talk about food with consumers is evolving, the Farm Bureau – Ronald McDonald House Charities connection that was initiated when Food Check-Out Week first began remains strong.

Many county and state Farm Bureaus from around the country also will make food donations to Ronald McDonald Houses or other charities during Food Check-Out Week. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment.

On the national level, the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee will make cash and food donations to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Indiana this year. The third week of February was selected for Food Check-Out Week as a bridge to National Nutrition Month in March.

Photo credit: Barb Iverson, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

November 1, 2011

Oregon Farm Bureau welcomes you to its newly designed website at oregonfb.org!

What you can do on oregonfb.org:

• Find farm-fresh food close to you with Oregon’s Bounty online.
• Learn about Farm Bureau’s membership benefit programs.
• Play interactive ag games and learn ag trivia.
• Learn about Farm Bureau’s many programs that support family farmers and ranchers.
• Watch Farm Bureau videos.
• Get the latest Farm Bureau news.
• Find out about upcoming Farm Bureau events.
• Follow Farm Bureau on Facebook and Twitter.
• Become a Farm Bureau member.
• Renew your existing Farm Bureau membership.
• And more!

(A new password-protected website geared toward existing Farm Bureau members will debut in 2012.)

The section will feature regular news about Farm Bureau’s advocacy work, its family farm and ranch members, ag issues, trends, and much more.

We hope you will find oregonfb.org engaging, inspiring, useful, and fun.

Photo credit: Barb Iverson, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Sincerely, Anne Marie Moss, OFB Communications Director

Leave a comment and let us know what you think of the new look!