Bird flu has been confirmed in cows in Texas, Kansas, Michigan and Idaho, but not Oregon.
Agriculture
Backyard burn season opens Friday
For residents in the Forest Grove Rural Fire Protection District, backyard burning opens Friday, March 1. The season will last through June 15, barring any emergency burn bans and daily closures due to low air quality.
Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation to outline Rural Conservation Program at online event
The Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosted virtually by a Forest Grove civic group Wednesday evening for an overview of the district’s efforts in rural Washington County.
Letter to the editor: Protecting Agricultural Viability in Washington County
Letter to the editor: As Washington County’s population continues to grow, it’s important to protect productive agricultural lands and ensure that farming communities continue to thrive
Oregon, Washington detect first cases of bird flu in backyard flocks
Oregon and Washington officials on Friday confirmed that both states have had their first cases of a highly pathogenic bird flu and about 150 backyard chickens, turkeys and geese were destroyed this week.
Oregon Legislature passes bill mandating overtime pay for farmworkers
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, called the farmworker overtime bill a “good beginning.” (Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Oregon is headed towards becoming the eighth state to mandate overtime pay for farmworkers. The pay bill passed its final legislative hurdle on Thursday and heads to Gov. Kate Brown, who appears ready[Read More…]
Washington County Farm Bureau seeks high school, college applicants for 2022 scholarships
A field is irrigated in the Gales Creek Valley near Roderick Road on May 15, 2021. Photo: Chas Hundley Local students in high school and college who are pursuing an education in the fields of agriculture, education, nursing or vocational training are once again eligible for scholarships offered by the[Read More…]
Bee school offered by county group
File photo of a bee Bees are becoming more active as temperatures begin warming to 50 degrees and above, and the Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association is inviting the public to attend its annual Bee School short course. Late February is the beginning of active bee season in western Washington County[Read More…]
Proposal to pay farmworkers overtime overcomes first hurdle in Legislature
Grain at a farm outside of Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley A controversial plan to require overtime pay that would affect the 86,000 farmworkers in Oregon advanced on Tuesday along partisan lines. All seven Democrats on the House Committee on Business and Labor voted for House Bill 4002, which would require[Read More…]
Farmworkers plead for overtime pay as ag industry warns of harmful impacts
Grain at a farm outside of Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley Emotional and passionate testimony stretched into the night Tuesday during a legislative hearing on a proposal to require overtime pay for Oregon’s farmworkers. Legislation put forward by two Democratic lawmakers would pay farmworkers time and a half after working[Read More…]