Planning for Tomorrow Sherman County, Oregon

1967 Long Range Planning Conference Contents Page MARKETING AND Introduction 3 TRANSPORTATION Sherman County, Oregon 4 Page Roads 26 PUBLIC AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS State Highways 26 Recreation 5 County Roads 27 Irrigation 5 Grain Grades and Quality 28 Industry 5 Market Information 29 Legislation 6 Marketing Service Organizations29 Public Relations 6 Local Business 6 WATER RESOURCE Industrial Development 6 DEVELOPMENT Chart on Sherman County Population Data and Trend 7 Irrigation 32 County Government 8 Ground Water Survey 33 County Planning Commission 8 Soil Conservation Projects 33 Pumping Sites 33 COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT State and Federal Projects 34 Libraries 9 Long-Range Forecast 34 Museum 9 The Community 10 LIVESTOCK AND RANGE Housing 10 Beef Cattle 35 Summary 10 Hogs 36 Horses 36 RECREATION AND SPORTS Range 36 Park and Recreation Planning 11 Summary 37 Park Development 11 Chart on Sherman Counnty LAND USE AND CROPS Waterfront Development 12 Tennis Courts 13 Crop Production 38 Swimming Pool 13 Insect Problems 38 Summary 14 Plant Disease Control 38 Fertilizer Programs 39 YOUTH AND FAMILY LIFE Variety Testing 39 Youth Center 15 Barley and Spring Wheat 39 Swimming Pool 15 Seed Quality 40 New Families 15 Irrigated Crops 40 Summer Program for Youngsters16Soil Conservation 40 3uvenile Court 16 Dryland Farming 40 Emotional Problems of Youth 16 Conservation Practice Adoption40 Culture 17 Research and Demonstration Senior Citizens 17 Needs 41 Home Extension 17 Conservation Coordination, Tech- HEALTH AND SAFETY nicalAssistanceand Educa- tion 42 Areas of Health Concern: 42 Sewage Treatment 19 Irrigated Lands Garbage Collection 19 Weed Control 43 Mental Health Services 20 Weed Council 43 Visiting Nurse 20 Weed District 43 Areas of Safety Concern: Weed Control on Public Fire 20 Property 43 Farm and Home Safety 20 Noxious Weeds 44 Highways and Recreation 20 Rye as a Weed 44 21 Cheatgrass Problem 44 Civil Dfense Weed Awareness 44 EDUCATION Farm Management 45 Recommendations 22 Farm Size 45 Chart on Sherman County's Posi- Landlord-Tenant Relations 45 tion as to Net Effective Buying Farm Management Tools 46 Income and Property Value 24 Enterprise Data Studies 46 Summary 25 Equipment Costs 47 INTRODUCTION This 1967 Sherman County Long-Range Planning Conference was sponsored by the Sherman Rural Advisory Council. In November of 1966, plans were laid and committees formed. Chairmen were selected for the 10 study committees, and instruction meetings were held to orient the chairmen. In January of 1967, the study committees started work on the problems that may affect Sherman County in the next 10 years.The purpose of each committee wasP to take a good look at Sherman county and try to figure a way to make Sherman County a better place to live, work and play in the next 10 years. On April 21, 1967, the public forum was held to report the findings of the 10 committees.Each committee chairman reported by using visual aids, pic- tures, etc., to illustrate the recommendations of the committees. To finish this report, it depends on the people of Sherman County to further study and work toward implemenation of these recommendations. Ted Thompson, Chairman Sherman Rural Advisory Council

This is the fifth time Sherman County has embarked on a Long-Range Planning Conference. The conferences span nearly one-half century of community planning for progress. The first such conference was held in 1924. Sim- ilar conferences were held in 1938, 1948, and 1958. During the past 10 years, the Sherman Rural Advisory Council has provided leadership in continued planning to improve the economic and social condition of the county. Various subcommitteessuch as the Water Resource Development, Land Use and Crops, and Rural Road Advisory Committee along with the Sherman County Planning Commission have spelled out some of the needs and work toward their accomplishment. This conference besides look- ing into some new fields of interest in the county, also brings up to date activities of various on-going planning and development groups. lV]embcrship of the Sherman Rural Advisory Council that help guide activities of this conference and groups they represent were: Ted Thompson, Chairman, Grain Co-op representative; Irving Hart, Vice-Chairman, Sherman Planning Commission; Charles Burnet, Wheat Growers Association; Henry Jaeger, 4-H Leaders Assn.; Delta Johnson, Extension Unit Council; Rolland Johnson, Weed Council; Larry Kaseberg, Water Resource Development Com- mittee; Bob Martin, Cattlemen's Association and Chairman of the Livestock and Range Planning Committee; Owietus McDermid, Health Council; Rev. Leo Tautfest, Ministeral Association; Vernon Miller, County Judge; Bob Montgomery, School Superintendent; David Moore, Sherman County Club; David Richelderfer, ASCS Committee; Vernon Root. 4-H Leaders Association; John Shipley, Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors; Don Thompson, Sherman County Granges and Chairman of the Land Use and Crops Planning Committee; F. L. Watkins, Rural Road Advisory Council; Alice Riëhmond, County Extension Agent, 4-H and Home Economics, and myself. For more than 40 years, the OSU Cooperative Extension Service, through their County Extension Agent staff and specialists, have cooperated with the citizens of Sherman County in doing long-range planning,if Sherman County is to realize its greatest potential, continual planning to meet changing conditions will be necessary. Results of the latest planning effort are contained in this publication made possible by the Sherman County Court and the Cooperative Extension sion Service of Oregon State University. Thomas W. Thompson, Chairman Sherman County Extension Agent SHERMAN COUNTY, OREGON Sherman County was established February 25, 1889, with an area of 827 square miles.Moro, the county seat, is near the center of the county and is 120 miles by highway from Portland.The trend in population is shown by chart form on page. 7. Sherman County lies in the heart of the Columbia Basin dryland grain area.Most citizens breathe, eat and talk wheat. The county is strictly rural with agriculture the major industry. During recent years, mass scale construction of the John Day Dam has brought in new people, payroll and problems.Industrial production is in the planning stage and tourist trade on the upswing. The county is the only forestless Oregon county. There were more businesses in Sherman County in 1900 than there are today. At the beginning of the century one could buy nearly everything in the county he could purchase elsewhere. Decline in farm numbers and work force, improved transportation facilities and change in modern business practices have reduced local business estab- lishments. 1V1uch of the needs of Sherman Countians are purchased in The Dalles; for southern Sherman Countians, at Madras, or in many cases in Port- land. Surrounding on three and a half sides by water, the county sets high and dry.Rainfall averages are close over the countyWasco (elevation 1,222 feet) has 11.72 inches, Moro (elevation 1,858) has 11.83 inches, and Kent (elevation 2,707) has 10.83 inches.With this low rainfall, farming is under a summer- fallow-grain rotation. Irrigation is minor with less than 2,000 acres of pasture and hay under intensive production. High lift irrigation from the Columbia and/or John Day Dam pool is under investigation. Winter wheat is the most important crop.For 40 years, dryland grain hay was second, but in recent years, due to government farm programs, barley has moved into second in importance. Fifty-seven percent (299,882) out of 529,280 acres is cultivatedthe highest percentage in the state.Only two counties exceed Sherman in total tillable acres.The soil is silt loam, productive, rolling and low in organic matter, making it highly erosive. Around 1,200 acres of cultivated land is the average farm size.Farm units number near 250, but are declining due to unfavorable farm prices. Farm tenancy is high with about 70% of the land farmed by non-owner operatives. Beef cattle provide an important supplementary source- of income. They utilize native spring, early summer ranges and crop aftermath.Most cattle are sold as weaners but some trend in feedlot production is underway, utilizing wheat and barley as feed grains.Sherman County has no dairies, a good number of horses, and sheep and hogs are of minor importance. A variety of statistical material is available about the county's people, economy and resources.Various statistical information was used by the study committees but is limited in this publication.Such information is available from county, state, and federal agencies and private institutions. Public and Economic Affairs

Charles Burnet, Chairman

Thomas M. Thompson, Secretary

In any attempt to forecast futureRecreation development of an area, a prime con- With development of parks and sideration should be past history androads along the rivers bordering the present conditions. county we are becoming more at- Agriculture has been the basic in-tractive to tourists and to residents dustry in Sherman County since theofwesternOregon,and Portland county was first settled by the whitemetropolitan areas.The freeway to man.The principle crop has beenPortland provides easy access to our grain, mainly wheat with some bar-area, and there will be an influx of ley, oats, and hay.The major kindpeople seeking our fresh air and sun of livestock is cattle, with some sheepshine. and hogs.Milk cows and chickens have declinedas farming becameIrrigation more specialized. There is much interest in an irri- Farms in the county have continuedgation project in the northeast sec- to increase in size, with fewer peopletion of the county. This will undoubt- on the farms, as well as in the townseddy develop whenever the growing because of less need for goods anddemand for food makes it economic- services. ally feasible.It could include other areas of the county, also.OSU eco- Itappearsthatt h I stendencynomists have estimated an increased toward larger farms and fewer peo-income as well as population from pie will continue unless there is somesuch a project.Using an area of 40,- change in the nature of the county's000 acres it is estimated there would economy.With the use of largerbe an increased income of $10,000,- and more efficient machinery, farm-000, and an increase in population ers must enlarge their farms in orderof 3,170 people.Some of these peo- to have economical operating units.ple would be employed in service This enlargement of farms has hadand supply, and could be located in one beneficial affect in recent years:The Dalles. farm operators have been able to acquire more of the land they farmIndustry thus decreasing absentee ownership. Upon completion of the John Day There also has been a tendency forDam, there is a good chance for in- more retiring farmers to remain industrial development.There is a site the county, thus keeping more moneyin the Rufus area which, with cheap in our economy. power,plentifulwater,and good Recently there have been develop- transportation, could be attractive to ments which could drastically affectindustry. the economy.These include the fol- There alsowill be a permanent lowing. operatingandmaintenanceforce 5 employed at the dam.Itappearsto be strengthened. Farm-City Week probable that some of these peoplehas been used in some counties as a might establish homes in Shermanmeans of improving town and coun- County.This should be encouraged. ry relations.Such a program could The rapidly increasing populationbe effectively used in Sherman Coun- of the world will greatly affect thety. agricultural economy of the United We recommend that farm organ- States, and Sherman County.It ap- izations, the Sherman County Club, pears that world demand for food isand the Sherman County Lions Club overtaking production surplus. Whileconsider some type of public rela- this will cause many world problems,tions effort in their yearly program. it can be financially beneficial forS Farmers and farm organizations the farmers of this country. should make every effort to gain sup- With the foregoing in mind, thisport of related farm businesses for committee makes the following sug- legislationneededbyagriculture. gestions and resolutions to the peo-Importance of agriculture to the to- ple of Sherman County. tal economy and small share of the consumer's dollar going to farmers Legislation needs to be stressed. Labor It appears that presentS We commend and recommend minimum wage laws will have littlesupport of public relations programs affect in Sherman County. We should,by various farm groups, and by such however, be alert to any wage andorganizations as the newly organized hour legislation which might have aAgri-Business Council of Oregon. detrimental affect on our operations. Farm Programs - ShermanLocal Business County farmers should be aware of, Due todeclining population and and closely study all farm legislation.improvedtransportationtolarger They should especially watch legisla-tradecenters,our local businesses tion or administrative rulings whichhave been in a decline in most lines might have an adverse affect on them.for many years. There are some areas Farmers should keep theirlegisla-whereitappearssmallbusiness tors and farm organizations informedcould do well, and we should encour- of their position on such matters. age their development. There is a need for service peo- Public Relations ple, such as electricians and plumb- Farm population in the U. S. is de- ers. We also could make use of pro- clining, in proportion with the restfessional people, such as doctors and of the population.This is causing thedentists.It is difficult and expensive farmer to lose representation in leg-to get these people from other places, islatures on both the state and na-although it seems they could prosper tional levels.Therefore, it is import-here.Also, with development of bet- ant that farm organizations cooperateter highways, increased traffic, and with one another in order to developrecreation development,itappears and present a united legislative pro-there will be a growing need for busi- gram. nesses to serve tourists, the traveling Improved internal county public re-businessman, and recreationists. lations between town and county is needed. Programs to improve theIndustrial Development relations and understandings of one With the completion of the John another'sbusinessproblems needsDay Dam it is anticipated that a prime 6 SHERMAN COUNTY POPULATION DATA & TREND (WITH AND WITHOUT N.E.SHERMAN IRRIGATI0N PROJECT) 7,000

6,000 16,30( / / / 5,000 / / / / 4,000 / 3,O I 3,250 3,000 2,978 2,446 2,000 2,321 2A271 2,00C

1,000 industrial site will become availableCounty Government below the dam, at Rufus.An estimate of the cost of this site would be At the present time, there seems to 70 acres at $300 per acre, or $21,000.be no desire for a change in our This could be financed by a one-yearform of county government.In re- centyears,severalcountieshave levy,aseriallevy,or by issuing bonds.Sherman County is the onlyadopted county charter or home rule county along the river which has notforms of government. taken steps to acquire such proper- We recommend that the opera- ty.The submerged lands in front oftions of these counties be studied, thesite,which are owned by theand if there appears to be distinct ad- state land board, also should be ob-vantages steps should again be taken tained, if possible.In order to fullytoestablish such a government in develop the site for industry it wouldSherman County. be necessary to dredge these submerged lands and use the materialCounty Planning forfill,as is being done at HoodCommission River. The committee commends this com- The committee recommends thatmission for the work they have done the Sherman County Court and thein planning for recreational and in- county planning commission endeavordustrial needs of the county, and en- to have this area designated as ancourages continued efforts.The com- industrial area by the Army Corps ofmission should continue work on plan- Engineers.It alsois recommendedning and zoning, placing emphasis on that the county court attempt to ac-a positive, dynamic plan for better quire the land when it becomes avail-land resource use. A zoning ordinance able. must be tied to a comprehensive, realistic study of the resources, goals In this way it would be availableand potentials of the area.An edu- for industrial development and thecational program to acquaint people county also would be in a positionwith the need for a land use and zon- to control such development. A studying program is desirable.It will be also should be made as soon as pos-necessary to gain the backing and support of the public for this program sible to ascertain if the court has theto be successfUl.There will be a necessary powers for this deovelop-need for county funds to implement ment, or if a port commission wouldthe zoning program upon completion be desirable. of the land use study.

PUBLIC AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Charles Burnet, Chairman Ed Justesen Thomas W.Thompson, Secretary Paulen Kaseberg Paul Alley J. K. McKean Alex Brander Vernon Miller Bob Davis Marvin Thomas Malcolm Eslinger Stan White Irving Hart Ex Officio: R. W. Kennedy Lewis Hastings Ted Sidor

8 Community Improvement

Sherry Kaseberg, Chairman Terry Dugan, Secretary

The success of any community im-velop strongly in one field and allow provement program dependstoafor exchanges between libraries. All great extent upon how fully the com-books should be properly cataloged. munity is behind it.This committee All libraries should consider the feelscommunityimprovementisuse of periodicals, films, slides, rec- everyone's concern. ords, and traveling collections from Our purpose is to get things rolling,the state library. for the recommendations are directed to those persons or organizations best Wasco should invest in an up-to- suited to follow-up our study anddate encyclopedia set and more ref- finds.We hope they will endeavorerence books. to promote a better environment for TheboardofSherman High the enjoyment of living. School should publicize their position Thecómn-iittee hasspent muchin regard to adults checking books time in the gathering of facts and theout, and general policy. consideration of various alternatives. We present the following recommen- ' Libraryatmosphereshouldbe dations and urge their adoption. pleasant and inviting. Libraries Museum An active committee has been dili- In Sherman County there are twogently working for a museum in Sher- city libraries,five grade school li-man County.To preserve the past braries, and one high school library.forfuturegenerationsisavery The city libraries have little or noworthwhilegoal. The Community reference material and do not offerImprovement Committee sees a def- regular hours nor do they offer invit-inite need for a county museum. We ingsurroundings. The committeerecommend: recommends: The libraries in Sherman Coun- Consideration bythe Sherman ty should consider formation of aCounty Historical Society to procure county library board and/or a coun-a museum site and building should ty library. be renewed without delay. City libraries should have Satur- The Sherman County fairgrounds day and summer programs to includeshould be considered as a museum storytelling,reading, records, andsite. puppets to interest youngsters in us- Funds should be derived from ing library facilities at an early age.taxes or from donations which the Librariesat Moro and Wascohistorical society members should in- should be open at least one nightvestigate and pursue. each week. Individuals should be encouraged Coordination of library acquisi-to save museum items for a county tions should allow each library to de-museum. Individuals should strive for neat- The Community er, cleaner farms and yards. The entire nation is aware of the beauty of America.President John- Thecountyroaddepartment sonstated,"What acitizenseesshould clean up the road from Was- everyday is his America.If it is at-co to Rufus via Scott Canyon. tractive, it adds to the quality of his life.If it is ugly, it can degrade hisHousing existence." Sherman County has few rental Residents should be aware of thehouses of sufficient quality and size stateof the community beauty infor family living.Teachers and con- Sherman County. The committeestruction workers have found it dif- recommends: ficulttofindsatisfactoryhousing The city councils in Moro, Wascowithin the past few years.The com- and Grass Valley should re-establishmittee recommends: treeplantingsofsuitablenature The school boards provide ade- along main streets and consider pot-quate housing for their teachers and ted trees. families. Directions for parking in Wasco, Private individuals be encouraged iVEoro and Grass Valley should beto build new rental homes in Sher- designated by city councils. man County towns. Cityordinancesregardingap- pearance of city lots should be enforced. Summary The county court should take the We all need a better library sys- initiative and recruit organizationaltem and our young people deserve it. A museum will help to preserve the help in improving play, sanitary, andhistory of Sherman County's begin- camp facilitiesat DeMoss Springsnings and belongings. A look to the Park. past often helps to direct the future. Thestatehighway departmentWe are all aware of the need for should include on their exit signs atcleaning up towns and farms, for Biggs Junction and Celilo the direc-developing a stronger pride in our tions to the Deschutes River Park. county, for making it a better place Old, dangerous, and unused build- in which to live.Those persons who ings should be torn down or repairedlive here and teach here deserve a and put to use. good place to live.We all can help The city council for each townachieve these goals by giving the shouldinitiatean annual cleanupcommittee reports sound, sober con- day. sideration, and then action!

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMIII'EE Mrs. Larry Kaseberg, Chairman Giles French Terry P. Dugan, Secretary Mrs. Gordon Hilderbrand Denny Anderson Mrs. Lee Kaseberg Rev. Arthur Brown David Moore Mrs. Ralph Busse Rev. Leo Tautfest Loy Cochran George Winegar

10 Recreation and Sports

Irving Hart, Chairman Thomas W. Thompson, Secretary

To make Sherman County more attractive and enjoyable we need toPark and Recreation continually upgrade our area.ThePlanning development of sports and recreation The planning commission, appoint- facilities within the county has beened by the county court, has been neglected and it is important to ourdesignated to work with federal and welfare that steps be taken to correctstate agencies to plan and develop this.As we improve our communi-parks and boating ramps. ty we willfindahappier, more healthy climate for business, agricul- ' We recommend thispolicy be ture, and for schools.Labor for farmcontinued. and all other industry, present and A study was made relative to es- future, will be more available.Ed-tablishing a park commission but it ucators for our schools will find liv-was decided this function could be ing here more to their liking, andhandled by the planning commission people will see Sherman County asat this time. the place they want for their homes and children. Park Development There are funds available to help The county should continue de- these,projects. We have builtavelopment of a park and boat ramp boat launching facility at Biggs withat Biggs. boat license money, which comes back The county should continue ne- to the county and is matched withgotiating with Army engineers re- State l\&arine Board funds.A five-garding a county park in the Fox yeardevelopmentplanwiththeand Biglow Canyon area of the John Corps of Engineers on a cost-sharingDay River. basisisin progress for the BiggsS The Walla Walla District Corps site.Plans also are being made toof Engineers has met with the plan- develop a county park and boat rampning commission and presented the on the John Day River near Fox Can-Master Plan dated October, 1965 on yon using this same source of funds.a major development at the John Money on a county or city matchingDay pool.This plan called for a basis also is available for develop-park of some 880 acres for day use ment of parks and/or an outdoorand for overnight camping, complete swimming pool. with boat ramps and docks, conces- sion building, gas station and paik- After as complete a study as weing areas.This plan recently has could make in the available time, andbeen modified but is scheduled for aftercounseling with friendsandfuture development. We recommend that the county planning commission neighbors, we present the followingcontinue work on this project and do recommendationsandurgetheirall possible to expedite its construc- adoption. tion. 11 SHERMAN COUNTY JOHN DAY GILLIAM WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DAMS CO.

: JOHN DAY RUFUS RIVER THE DALLES DAM BIGGS © _SERMAN COUNTY

WASCO Co.

D ES H UTE S WASCO RiVER LEGEND- Shoreline area along Columbia River which the County is requesting the Corps of Engineers to set aside for future industrial development. Present and future Oregon State Park Development at mouth of Deschutes Riv- Proposed park below the John Day Dam to be developed by the Corps of En- er in Sherman and Wasco Counties. gineers upon completion of all phases of construction of the dam about 1972. Proposed Sherman County Park to be developed along Columbia River jointly Area reserved by the Corps of Engineers for recreation development along the by County and U. S. Corps of Engineers to be operated by County. John Day River. Development near the mouth of the John Day River will be Site reserved by Corps of Engineers for park development either by Corps or by the Corps while Sherman County has under study plans for a county park in jointly with County or City of Rufus. the upper part with joint development in cooperation with the Corpo The county court and planningthe building of a pool in connection commission should see that plans forwith the high school for use by all parks and recreation development inthe schools and for general public the Rufus area be carried out. use.Cost for such a facility is high, We recommend DeMoss Park bebut the cost spread over the many improved by grading, leveling, andyears of benefit make it reasonable. replanting; picnic tables, playgroundFor the benefits to physical fitness, facilities, and toilets should be add-to water safety, and to the children ed.The area should be suitable forof our area, the cost is reasonable. a golf driving range which would beA swim program provides a competi- welcomed by many devotees of thistive and healthy sport for both boys sport. and girls.It is a sensible investment The Bureau of Land Managementin our future. should be commended for the devel- We thank the Sherman Lions Club opment on the Deschutes River infor the swimming pool data made Sherman County. We recommendavailable to us in our study. We hope that the extreme fire danger in thethey will continue their efforts and area again be called to the attentionsupport the building of a swimming of BLM authorities.Camping andpool.We also thank County School access should be limited to the areaSuperintendent Bob Montgomery for on the river side of the road, and firehis help in contacting schools in the fighting equipment should be in thestatewhich haveswimmingpro- area during the fire season.Wheregrams. possible, fire barriers should be built As a result of our study, and in above the existing road. recognition of the great number of The BLM hasdesignated15 people favoring this project, we rec- areas on the John Day River withinommend that: Sherman County for future develop- The high school board cause a ment.Of particular interest now isvote to be taken on a special bond the development of a camp site inissue of $75,000 for building a pool in PineHollowsuitablef o ryouthconjunctionwiththe highschool. groups.The BLIVI has indicated thisThis would cost 4.5 mills or about can be accomplished if access is pro-22½ cents per acre on 200 dollar vided by the county. We recommendland. this be done. Local authorities be called upon to do such work as excavating, level- Tennis Courts ing,etc.,for the greatestpossible The tennis courts available in thesavings; and county are not adequate for the phys- That these savings be made avail- ical education program.We under-able toward the cost of covering this stand the high school board has planspool by another bond issue in 1970. to build one or more courts near the By constructing the pool without school.We urge that this be done.cover we can save on architectural We recommend the county coop-fees and be eligible for aid from the erate in the use of machinery andBureau of Outdoor Recreation. material for construction, so far as Because cost of maintaining and they are able. operating pools of comparable plan ranges from $6,000 to $9,000, and from Swimming Pool 35% to 50% of this is paid by user We conclude from the results offees, these costs be budgeted by the our study that we should undertakeSherman High School. 13 the benefits we have and will derive Summary from the special five-year road levy, We make these recommendationsfrom the building of our high school with full realization of the tax bur-and from the building of the fine new den we now bear. We suggest thatgrade school in Grass Valley. These of all the taxes we pay, local taxesitems are all tangible assets and we forlocalimprovements bringtheconsider the foregoing recommenda- most satisfaction.No one can denytions in the same category.

RECREATION ANDSPORTS COMMI1EE Irving Hart, Chairman Harland McDonald Thomas W. Thompson, Secretary Rodney Rolfe Bert Swigart Art Buether Don Thompson Stan Coelsch George Fox Ex-Officio: Gary Woodring Les Gray Darrel Jones John Hilderbrand Ken Sweeney Delta Johnson Dick May

14 Youth and Family Life Catherine Thomas, Chairman

The youngpeopleofShermanEquipment building, Moro; or the Odd County are fortunate in many waysFellows Hall, Moro. to be growing up in such a communi- That the program of the center ty. There are disadvantages, how-mightinclude:dancing,ping-pong, ever, and these need to be examinedparlor games, shuffleboard,pool, and, if possible, something done aboutcoin operated dispensers for pop, can- them.This committee has tried tody, pop corn and whatever else might study some areas of concern careful-be seen as desirable by the adult- ly.The following report contains ouryouth committee. findings and recommendations. If the interest is sufficient, or if the population increases enough over Youth Center the next 10 years, this center could There is a need and a desire for abe developed into a recreation cen- youthcenter where young peopletër with bowling and other types of can spend free time in the companyfamily recreation and entertainment. ofotheryouthunderadultsu- pervision.More than half of theSwimming Pool young people in the county are involved in various organizations such Although this is being considered as 4-H, Rainbows, etc., but there is noby the Recreation and Sports Com- place in the county where youth canmittee, it is the strong feeling of this spend leisure time in an unstructured,committee that a swimming pool for yet supervised environment.There-school and public use at the high fore, we recommend: school would be desirable. That a youth-adult committee beNew Families establishedbringing together those It is believed that more needs to from various parts of the county andbe done to integrate new youngsters representing all segments of the pop-and families into- the life and the or- ulation,i.e.,boththe"ins"andganizations of the schools and com- "outs", the "busy" and the "unin-munities.We recommend that: volved." Present organizations periodical- That this committee be composedly conduct a study of the feelings, primarily of young people, perhapsproblems, and concerns of newcom- nine with three adults, and be respon-ers to the community, both young- sible for the direction, supervision,sters and adults, so that all are aware and program of a youth center. of -what is new in a community. That this project be given to the A listing of all organizations be Empire Builders along with a serv- compiled.This would include the ice organization such as the Lionspurposeofthe organizationalong Club,toorganize theyouth-adultwith names of persons in charge and committee, and to locate a building.their phone numbers, to be compiled Some possibilitiesfor the buildingfor each school and community in might be: the Hotel Cafe, Moró; 4-Hthe county.These listings would be pavilion at the fairground; Dalmoravailable to schools to distribute to 15 new families in each district through- That the duties of the officers of out the year. thejuvenilecourt(thejuvenile A women'sorganizationinajudge, the juvenile counselor, and the church in each community be askeddistrict attorney) be clarified so that to compile this information for theirthe community will be aware of the way the court handles cases brought community. to its attention. That the procedures for bringing Summer Program for cases to the juvenile court be ex- Youngsters plained to the community so that ap- There is little youth activity dur-propriate use of the court may be ob- ing the summer months except fortained. those in 4-H, Little League, and Babe That the needs of the court, es- Ruth, and these appeal only to cer- pecially for foster homes, be made tain youngsters and not toothers.known tothe community sothat We recommend that: these needs can be met, thus increasing the effectiveness of the court in A summer recreation program bedealing with problems of Sherman planned in Rufus, Wasco, Moro andCounty youth. Grass Valley for youngsters throughS We further recommend that or- the eighth grade. ganizations in the community encour- Directors for this program mightage their membership to learn about be obtained under the Work-Studythe juvenile court and its role in the Program with the Federal govern-community. ment providing about 67% of the We feel that it is especially import- salaries for such workers. ant that the youth of the community These directors be employed bybe made aware of the juvenile court, city governments.If it is too costlyand that a program sponsored by the to obtain one for each community,schools and/or Extension Service be one could be shared by two communi- establishedwherebystudentscan ties with the program provided on a!- meet the officers of the court and ternatedays,or on some similarlearn of the court's role in the com- schedule. munity. Programs be conducted in parks and other school, club, or church fa-Emotional Problems of cilities, as needed. Youth The Mental Health Clinic person- Juvenile Court nel for The Dalles are presently available to our schools one day a month. Thereis an increasing need forThose cases referred to them usual- servicesofthe juvenilecourtinly receive about three counseling ses- Sherman County, but there seems tosions and are then returned to the be little public awareness as to itsschool and community for care. We role and function. Therefore, the fol- do not have properly trained and lowing recommendations are made byqualified staff in the county for many the committee regarding the Shermanof the more serious emotional prob.- County Juvenile Court: lems that are encountered. Many go That the functions of the courtignored and untreated until they be- be publicized in the community, socome too difficult to handle.There the community can become aware ofis need for a psychologist or other the purposes and limitatiäns of thehighly trained person in the county juvenile court. to serve both school and home. 16 Culture In considering the cultural aspectsnames of persons to contact for in- of life in Sherman County, this com-formation. mittee feels there is a need to make available opportunities for artistic ex- Participation at the county fair pression and development of individ-through art exhibits and entries of ual creativeness, as well as to devel-various kinds should be encouraged. op an appreciation of the arts.We The schools should be encour- recommend: aged and helped to cultivate the tal- Since bringing in well-known ar-ents of children and youth in art, mu- tists and groups to Sherman Countysic and drama.Individuals talented does not appear feasible, more pub-enough to perform should be given licity and promotion within the coun-the opportunity by groups to make ty is needed concerning concerts anduse of his or her ability. cultural events taking place in near- Steps should be taken to promote by towns. an arts festival in the county.All A listing of existing groups (the-facets of the arts should be utilized, ater groups,arts and crafts clubs,giving all ages opportunity to use tal- etc,)should be compiled with theents and skills. Senior Citizens Thelastcensus(1965)showedday each month.Those retired and 17.7% in the 55 and over age bracket;able to drive could provide for: shop- 9.2% in the 65 and older group.Thisping, doctor appointments, church at- accounts for nearly one-fourth of ourtendance, and miscellaneous errands. present population. Several types of jobs could be used Younger people should realize at anto supplement the incomes of older early age that Social Security is notpersons.Women could mend, baby- sufficient for retirement but is onlysit or tutor.Men could do chores, supplemental income. A realistic sav- lawn or garden work, minor repairs ings plan should be developed and fol-in the community, and tutor.These lowed for old age. could probably be arranged with as- There are services that could besistance from the Extension units. provided to encourage retired people Hobbies,crafts,andavocations to remain in their homes in Shermancould be stimulated through Exten- County.Social Security representa-sion courses, adult education, contin- tives could come to the county oneuing education, hobby shows, etc. Home Extension Extension home economics is anty that are not being reached through adult program for homemakers.Itthis program.The committee feels reflects the needs of contemporarythat the program should be expanded living with emphasis on consumer ed-to include a broader audience.We ucation, management, and family ec-recommend: onomics. There is a growing number of At the present time, there are aprograms directed to the homemaker number of persons in Sherman Coun- available on educational TV.Those 17 who are unable to participate in thetraining is provided for project lead- Extension unit program could takeers. advantage of these programs. The Have two lessons developed to committee would like to see educa-meet the interests of the individual tional TV available throughout theunits.The agent will help the proj- county. ect leaders in securing references and Because of the variety of interests,resources. backgrounds, and stages of the life Have more special interest meet- cycle of the present Extension unitingsand workshops toencourage membership, it is felt that not all ofcountywide participation in areas of the needs of these people are beingspecial interest. met.The committee feels that these The committee also recommends needs can best be met by the follow-cooperation with other organizations ing provisions of the unit program:incountywideactivitiessuchas Have five lessons for which agenthealth and safety education.

FAMILY AND YOUTH COMMITTEE Mrs. Dewey Thomas, Chairman Youth Subcommittee Cultural Subcommittee Rev. Leo Tautfest, Chairman Mrs. Dale Stump, Chairman David Bayer Miss Mary Brackett Mrs. Bob Boynton Father Gerald Condon Mrs. Joe Heater Mrs. Bernard Martin Henry Jaeger Miss Alice Richmond Bob Odell Mrs. Frank Sayrs Miss Alice Richmond Leland Schwendel Miss Cathy von Borstel Home Extension Subcommittee Senior Citizens Subcommittee Mrs. Ed Justesen, Chairman Mrs. Walt Bruckert, Chairman Miss Alice Richmond, Secretary Miss Alice Richmond, Secretary Miss Gertrude Buether Mrs. Earl Gentry Mrs. Arno Chrisman Rev. William R. Jones Mrs. Owen Eakin Wallace May Mrs. Lloyd Henrichs Mrs. Charles Jackson Mrs. Rolland Johnson Mrs. Lee Kaseberg Mrs. Harry Pinkerton Mrs. Dewey Thomas Mrs. Sam Tsubota

18 Health and Safety

Owietus McDerniid, Chairman

Sherman County has been fortu-sible solutions.It has sponsored and nate in that it has not been afflictedsuccessfully programmed Salk polio with many of the health and safetyshots, Sabin vaccine, TB tests and problems prominent in other partsX-ray clinics.It is to be commend- of the state.The committee feelsed for these efforts. this is due to the interest and con- ShermanCountynowreceives stant vigilance of the county citizens.services and benefits of the Wasco- If this record is to be maintained,Sherman Public Health Department this vigilance, with expanded efforts,and the Mid-Columbia Mental Health will be needed. Clinic. The services provided are The lack of professional health andtoo numerous to detail. A Sununary safety personnel in the county is dis- ofServicesisavailable from the turbing;This situation is likely toWasco-Sherman Public HealthDe- remain until the population is largepartment in The Dalles. enough to support such services. The Sherman County Health Ad- As a result of the study carried out visory Council is an established or-by this committee, a knowledge of ganization ofinterested individualsthe health and safety problems of concerned with the health and safetycounty citizens has developed.An of the cOunty.The council meetsaction program should be initiated once a month with the county healthand carried out to solve these prob- officer to discuss problems and pos-lems. Areas of Health Concern strew garbage along the roadways Sewage Treatment and dump without thought of the Inadequate sewage disposal is ofwind blowing it Over the countryside. present concern to townspeople, asIt is not economically feasible for pri- well as to those passing through ourvate industry to operate a dump and communities.The sewage now flowscollection service.According to Ore- down small streams and ditches, pastgon statutes, it is possible for such a towns. A survey, conducted by thefacility to be operated under the jur- State Department of Sanitation, hasisdiction Of the county court.The made recommendations to thecitycharge for weekly pick-up service councils. would off-set the expense enabling S This committee recommends thatoperation costs to be low. these proposals receive prompt consideration. The committee recommends that the Sherman County Court ask that Garbage Collection a detailed study be made as to gar- Supervision of community garbagebage disposal costs, locations, etc. Us- facilitiesislacking. Garbageising this as a basis, the court could dumped in city-provided places andthen act to improve garbage collec- burned.However, some persons stilltion services. 19 well as more serious impairment). Mental Health Services There is need for a psychologist or Two staff members of the Mid-Co-other highly trained person to work lumbia Mental Health Clinic in Thewith emotional problems before they Dalles now make a visit once a monthbecome serious. in the county for consultations with school administrators, and the highVisiting Nurse schoolguidancecounselor. They The committee recommends that work on a referral basis, and theirthe county court investigate means of services are available to anyone inemploying a county visiting nurse. the county.There is not a full-timeThis nurse would make the following professional in this field located with-services available in the county: the in the county.Figures compiled bygiving of injections, such as for al- theStateMental HealthDivisionlergies; treatments for the confined; show 383 people in Sherman Countyvisits to the aged, and instruction in who have suffered some sort of emo-bedcareandexerciseprograms; tional or mental disorder.(This fig-changing of bandages; and instruction ure includes "mild" problems of ad-for families in the home care of pa- justment in youngsters and adults, astients. Areas of Safety Concern Fire hazardous practices to the public's attention.Cooperation among organ- The safety of volunteer firemen,izations who arecontinuallycon- and their use of fire fighting equip-cerned with safety would make a ment is of concern to this commit-bigger impact, and could help elimi- tee. Thecommitteeunderstandsnate some of the farm and home haz- there is a training course for volun-ards.A countywide safety commit- teer firemen available through thetee could coordinate and implement Division of Continuing Education. a safety education program. The committee recommends that The committee recommends that the volunteer fire departments inves- the Rural Advisory Councilstudy ligate this possibility and make usethe establishment of such a commit- of this service, if and when it is avail-tee. able. Consideration should be given toHighway and ;Recreation the formation of a countywide fire During harvest, slow moving trucks district, if this would insure greaterhauling grain pose a real threat to fire protection and an easement in firehighway safety. insurance rates.Posting fire danger signs during the dry summer months It is recommended that signs be would warn visitors as well as resi-posted at all dangerous intersections dents of the extreme danger fromto warn motorists of slow moving fires. trucks.The county court, Sherman County Club, and grain cooperatives shouldseethatthesesignsare Farm and Home Safety posted. Each year many serious and often One of the best preventive meas- fatal accidents occur due to lack ofures in water safety is learning to safe practices around the farm andswim. The committee commends the home.It is necessary to bring theseRed Cross for its swimming program. 20 The increase in water activities inCivil Defense the county, due to the John Day Dam, increases the need for instruction in The committee recommends con- boating and other forms of water rec-tinued support of the county civil de- reation safety. fense program. HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMI1EE Mrs. Don McDermid, Chairman Mrs. Bill Pausch Mrs. Harry Pinkerton, Secretary Mrs. Walter Reed Mrs. Robert Bish Miss Alice Richmond Luther Davis Marvin Robertson Mrs. Ed Justesen Vernon Smith L. E. Kaseberg Mrs. Marvin Thomas Mrs. Bill Kramer Vernon Miller Ex Officio: Dr. E. E. Berg Bob Montgomery Iry Rierson

21 Education

Dean Pinkerton, Chairman Bob Montgomery, Secretary

The Education Committee began itsthe problems of an urban, mobile, and study by a review of past committeeeverchanging society." recommendations.Charged with the The education committee of the need for establishing new objectives1948 planning conference suggested in a period of rapid change in ouradoption of a school system of one economy and technology, we foundsix year high school and four elemen- little change had occurred in the lasttary schools as the most economic decade in Sherman County schools. program forthecounty. Twenty Reorganization has resultedin ayears later this could still be recom- reduction of districts from a high ofmended as the best county organiza- 44 to a present 6, one high school dis-tion,if economy and efficiency are trict for all of the county, and 5 com-the only criteriato be considered. mon elementary districts.The rec-Our committee feels that understand- ommendation of the 1957 county com-ing and support of the people is as mittee for the reorganization of schoolnecessary to a good school system, districts stated that they felt this rep-and that this is not currently present resented adequate reorganization ininsufficientforcetorecommend Sherman County.Yet, this county iscounty unification. the only one in Oregon that has made In these committee discussions, it no change in district reorganizationhas been apparent that there is no since 1957, with the exception of thosecentral planning, no common goals counties already down to one or twoor objectives, nor no locally accept- districts. ed and understood philosophy of ed- Crook, Lincoln, Morrow, and Hooducation currently present in county- River counties have reorganized intowideschool program development. one administrative district.This isThe committee believes that before the apparent pattern for small coun- such long-range planning can be ef- ties of low population, and we shouldfective,thecurrentstatusofthe look at this prospect fairly to see ifschool system needs to be defined. it would benefit our students. ToWe need to understand where we are many people it suggests a loss of lo- before we make changes.To this calcontrol. Henry Toy,Nationalend, the committee has placed the Citizens Council for Better Schools,greatest emphasis in its recommenda- has said, "You will have to recognizetions on the need for professional those jobs which need doing butappraisal of our schools, to survey which can't be done on a small dis-and evaluate our current system. trict basis.You will have to find ways through cooperative efforts to We recommend that the Univer- do those things in consort that yousity of Oregon's Bureau of Education- cannot do alone.Pure local control,al Research and Service be employed isolated district by district, is a thingto make a survey of the school sys- of the past.It was designed for atem in Sherman County, and to eval- rural America and cannot cope withuate our program.Funds for this 22 survey should be provided in theboardsinvestigategreateruseof 1967-68 I.E.D. budget.The commit-teacher aides.Teachers should be tee feels that this professional reportpermitted to spend a larger percent- would provide a better basis for fit-age of their time in actual teaching, ting our school program to futurewith aides taking over non-teaching needs than anything yet available. and helping roles. We recommend that the prospects We recommend a countywide ef- of unifying the county into one ad-forttoinstall educational TV and ministrative school district should bemake it available to all schools. The continually studied by directors andNorth Sherman TV Cooperative can patrons of the schools. A distinctionprovide the installation and mainte- needs to be maintained between uni-nance of an adequate system.Finan- fication, which is primarily adminis-cial planning should follow the Pub- trativechange,andconsolidation,lic Television Act of 1967 now be- which would mean merging schools.fore the Congress, which if passed, Consideration should be given to thewould provide 75% matching money fact that in a long-range view an in-to plan and establish educational tele- dustry or irrigation project bringingvision and radio stations. population increases to the county We recommend that if a Mid-Co- would drastically affect the financiallumbia Community College is formed, structure of any one district involved.it be oriented toward vocational-tech- If the county were a unified dis-nical training. trict, the expense of educating new students wouki be borne by the en- We recommend that our schools tire county, and in return the valua-expose our children to experiences tion of the new industry or projectand environments outside our coun- would be added to the county as aty. A need is seen for the movement whole, to benefit all schools and tax-ofchildren and teachersintothe payers. world of music and art, museums, theaters,artgalleries,industrial We recommend an increase in ba-plants, slums, forests, and sea coasts sic school support as a more equit-to learn as they explore. ablewaytosupporteducation. We recommend work-experience Statewide sources of income, wheth- programs for teen-age youth, planned, er from an income or a sales tax,operated, and financed by schools, would reach taxpayers not now con-businesses,farmsa n demployee tributing to local schools, and wouldgroups to give youth the chance to relieve the property taxpayer of bear- learn how to work; to experience the ing the increasingly heavy load ofsatisfactions of responsibility, contrib- school support. uting, staying with a task, and earn- We recommend that adult anding an income.Our youth must be continuing education be handled asprepared to enter work and social in the past.Arrangements may belife in urban centers far different made by either the I.E.D. or highfrom that of Sherman County. school superintendents when suffi- We recommend interachool visi- cient interest on a specific subject istations by teachers,administrators, indicated. Instructors should be hireddirectors and patrons, both inside and andclassesarranged according tooutside the county.This is a simple need and availability.Costs shouldand inexpensive way to work toward be borne by tuition or in cases of gen-more uniformity within the county eral need, by the I.E.D. budget. and to become acquainted with inno- We recommend that county schoolvations and materials in educatiOn. 23 OREGON OREGON NET EFFECTIVE BUYING SCHOOL LEVY AS % OF INCOME PER CAPITA-1965 PROPERTY VALUE 1965-66 County Rank County Rank Sherman $2801 I Washington 1.93% 1 Clackamas 1.88% 2 Multnomah 2796 2 Lane 1.88% 3 Gilliam 2786 3 Columbia 1.87% 4 Washington 2686 4 Yamhill 1.85% 5 Benton 2442 5 Benton 1.79% 6 Ciackamas 2342 6 Coos 1.79% 7 Lake 2315 7 Curry 1.75% 8 Lane 2300 8 Deschutes 1.73% 9 Clatsop 2252 9 Clatsop 1.56% 10 Kiamath 2246 10 Polk 1.55% 11 Marion 2243 11 Grant 1.53% 12 Grant 2221 12 Harney 1.52% 13 Wasco 2220 13 Jackson 1.51% 14 Morrow 2209 14 Marion 1.51% 15 Jackson 2187 15 Linn 1.46% 16 Timatilla 2178 16 Multnomah 1.46% 17 Curry 2156 17 Hood River 1.45% 18 Deschutes 2121 18 Crook 1.43% 19 Crook 2090 19 Wasco 1.42% 20 Josephine 2088 20 Josephine 1.39% 21 Coos 2077 21 Union 1.39% 22 Tillamook 2069 22 Umatilla 1.37% 23 Union 2038 23 Maiheur 1.29% 24 Lincoln 2022 24 Tillamook 1.29% 25 Hood River 1996 25 Douglas 1.25% 26 Douglas 1965 26 Kiamath 1.10% 27 Baker 1945 27 Lincoln 1.08% 28 Yamhill 1940 28 Wheeler 1.06% 29 Polk 1897 29 Lake 1.03% 30 Linn 1879 30 Jefferson 0.99% 31 Harney 1834 31 Wallowa 0.92% 32 Jeff erson 1827 32 Wallowa 1799 33 Sherman 0.90% 33 Columbia 1796 34 0.89% 34 Wheeler 1755 35 Baker Maiheur 1643 36 Morrow 0.86% 35 State Average $2369 Gilliam 0.80% 36 Source: Sales Management, June, Source: Oregon State Department 1966. Prepared by Elvera Hor- of Education, 1965-66.Summary rell,Extension Agricultural Eco- of School District Valuations and nomist(Statistics), Oregon State Taxes, November, 1966 University, 4/10/67

El" 24 ty. We have teachable children Sumnwry most educators note the lack of any It is time to make an educationalhard core juvenile delinquency.Our inventory in the county.What areteacher-pupil ratio is substantially be- we doing, how are we doing it, is itlow average, producing as ideal a- what we should be doing; are thereteacher - to - studentrelationshipin better methods? How much partici-classrooms as possible. Our financial pation has there been by school pa-resources are almost without equal trons in the development of thesewe have the highest income per cap- programs? Are we training our stu-ita in Oregon and our tax rate is dents adequately for their purposes,nearly the lowest, 33rd among the 36 and are their needs going to stay thecounties. same, or change?Is there any way If we fit all these together prop- we can be sure that if we change our school programs, we will benefit? erly, we could have an outstanding The basic resources for good edu-small school program for our chil- cation are present in Sherman Coun-dren.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE Dean Pinkerton, Chairman Mrs. Lee Kaseberg Bob Montgomery, Secretary Mrs. Don Macnab Hans Bardenhagen Millard Meizer Ivan Blagg Miss Alice Richmond John Buether Mrs. Rodney Rolfe Curlie DeMoss Rev. Leo Tautfest Mrs. Kenneth Hart Larry Thompson George Jensen Mrs. George von Bo-rstel

25 Marketing and Transportation

F. L. Watkins, Chairman Max Barzee, Secretary

Marketing patterns and transporta-mand, and adjustment of farm pro- tion methods are in a process of rapidgrams has also influenced the current change.Loss of the railroad, andsituation.The Marketing and Trans- damage to state and county roads dur-portation Committee studied these re- ing the December,1964flood precipi-cent changes and has attempted to tated much of this change.Declineforecast various aspects of this field in grain supply by world wheat de-into the future. Roads Road construction and paving onranches.The loss of the Grass Val- state and county roads during theley branch of the Union Pacific Rail- past10years hasmaterially im-road has put additional stress on state proved transportation facilities.Thehighway facilities for movement of state highway department and coun-grain to river facilities.Much of the ty court are to be commended for im-present unimproved section of High- povements to date.Additional andway97 isdangerous for travel, and continued road improvement, how-needs improvement.The Sherman ever, is still needed. County Court, Sherman County Club, and farm organizations should make State Highways every effort to facilitate this recom- The county is transversed by twomendation. major state-federal highways: U. S. That the state highway department 30, now 80N, along the Columbiafund further improvements needed River, and U. S.97,extending fromon State Secondary206by improving north to south through the middleand upgrading the guard rails width, of the county. 80N is now a four-laneand curves in Cottonwood Canyon. freeway, and much of U. S.97has Sherman County Court continue been improved. to have the Scott Canyon road taken Two other important state roads areover by the state highway department No 216.from Grass Valley to Tyghsince it is used so heavily for through Valley, and No.206,the Wasco-Hepp-traffic. ner highway from Deschutes River via Wasco to the John Day River in Thestatehighway department Cottonwood Canyon. maintain the Biggs-Rufus, old High- way 30 road. We recommend the following road program for the years ahead: Improved signing of roads serv- Immediate improvement of High-ing major intersections off U. S. 80N way97from Walker Hill to the mouthinto Sherman County. of Spanish Hollow; also improvement Truck weighing stations be main- of the section north of Grass Valleytained in the Biggs area to serve coun- in the vicinity of the Kee and Kingty as well as state roads. 26 achieved.The five-year road levy County Roads ending June 30, 1968, coupled with Major progress has been made ingeneral road and FAS funds, have county road construction and pavingmade these improvements possible. during the past few years.Recom- mendations of this committee in 1958, The five-year road levy provided and the program of the special roadfor the following paving and con- committeehave b e e nessentiallystruction:

ROAD PAVING AND CONSTRUCTION IN SHERMAN COUNTY

Type of Road Miles Completion Status

WascoRufus Road 6.6 Completed Fairgrounds to Lone Rock 2.7 Completed Wasco East 4.5 Completed Kent East 3.0 Scheduled for 1967 Reconstruction to Standards for Fiture Oiling Foss Corner to Roots Junction 3.0 Completed Barzee Road to Base Line 1.5 Completed Hay Canyon Road 5.5 3 mi. to complete '67-'68 Base Line to Foss Corner 2.0 not completed

Reconstruction Road Bourbon road east and I mile north 5.0 Completed Gordon Ridge roadAnderson's south - 4.5 Completed Dean Pinkerton's south to junction 3.5 Completed Rosebush to Eakin Elevator road 3.0 Completed Erskine ElevatorL. Sayrs to Erskine .75 Completed Amidon-Newton (west end) 1.25 Not completed Base Line roadeast to Hay Canyon 4.0 Completed Dean Pinkerton cornereast road 1.25 Completed Nichols-Ross road 2.5 Scheduled for '67-'68

Funds for a year and a half remain to finish the proposed program.

The road department and the court A county road survey made in 1965 anticipate the program will be com- provides statistics on road mileage by pleted by the end of the tax year,class, and projected cost of road im- June 30, 1968.Besides the five-yearprovement needed to bring county $45,000-per-year levy, amounting toroads up to minimum state highway $225,000, additional monies from thestandards.Most of the improvements general road fund and FAS match- onarterial ing money in the amount of $525,000,havebeencompleted for a total of $750,000, were neededroads and some improvements on to complete the five-year program. feeder and local roads. 27 FUTURE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SHERMAN COUNTY Projected Cost Miles for Improvements Arterial 25.7 $ 128,000 Feeder 109.24 812,000 Local 322.25 765,000 TOTAL 457.19 $1,705,000

We recommend: be needed on paved or gravel roads Continuation ofaspecial roadaccording to weather and transpor- levy after June 30, 1968. tation methods. A goal of--30miles of new paved That shoulder slopes on-new roads roads and reconstruction of addition-be tapered so they will not cave off, al miles of road as money allows. Fu-regardless of existing fence or right- ture work should be aimed at a pro-of-way. Shaped banks should be gram of reconstruction and paving inseeded to grass before fences are re- one project. built.Farmers also are encouraged Attentionbe giventogeneralto take advantage of shaping road maintenance with monies in the gen-banks by the county when building eral fund used for this purpose.Asnew fences for grass seeding. we upgrade ourroads,additional Continuedand improved weed monies must be provided for follow-programs for annuals and perennials up maintenance. along county roads.Detailed outline A yearly special road levy of $60,-of the program isincluded in the 000 to provide a level of reconstruc-weed control subcommittee of the tion and paving as has been done inLand Use and Crops Committee. the past three and one-half years to Continuation of the special road relieve pressure on general mainte-committee of the Sherman Rural Ad- nance. visory Council to develop a new five- That the county remain on FASyear road program in conjunction standards, or as near as possible forwith the county court's consideration new paving.Weight load limits mayof the above recommendations Grain Grades and Quality Sherman grain producers need totypeshybrids and new feed grains pay continual attention to productionthat will need to be separated from of quality grain.The next few yearsgrains going into the domestic or for- will see even greater necessity foreign food markets. quality production to meet the changing competitive domestic and foreign T h a tcontinuedemphasisbe demand.With this in mind we rec-placed on grain sanitation programs ommend: for control of insect pests, rodents, and birds on farms, and in commercial Grain cooperative firms and farmstorage. storage operators maintain quality in storage by preventing mixtures of Farm organizations continue to classes, varieties and grades of grain.push for a 58 lb. No. 1 soft white club The future may see additional grainwheat. 28 That improved methods of grain Increased cooperation among co- samples be investigated, and moreoperatives in handling of grain to in- caution beexercisedinobtainingcrease volume and allow blending for graiii samples at commercial eleva-upgradingtest weight and overall tor facilities. grade. Market Information

A variety of market information ontrends. We also recommend that agriculture commodities is availableagencies responsible for market in- to Qregon producers.Listing of grainformation releases upgrade the tim- marketing information releases avail- ing of pertinent market data for pro- able to Sherman growers and hand-ducers. lers from OSU and USDA were re- That the OSU Etension Service viewed by the committee, and areorganizea one-day shortcourse on available on request.Such materialgrain and livestock futures. reviewed weekly is valuable in analyzing market activity. That local radio stations at The Dalles provide daily market news re- We recommend: ports. We encourage continuation of Copies of the weekly USDA andthis public service and suggest OSIY OSU weeklymarketreportsbeand USD'A provide similar data to mailed to all Sherman County farm-the Pasco area. ers for their study, and with an invi- That the Sherman Extension of- tation for them to be placed on otherfice try out a system of posting the mailing lists. We further recomnendaverage weekly grain prices at Port- that all grain producers utilize thisland in the hallway of the courthouse service and, along with the other in-for inspection by growers.Coopera- formation provided, become more fa-tive firms also are encouraged to try miliarwithmarketactivityandout this system. Marketing Service Organizations Cooperative grain firms have suc- Statistics frotn the four cooperative cessfully served the county since thegrain firms and estimates of farm 1930's.The program has been inval-storage indicate nearly twice as much uable and offinancialbenefittocapacity as the average annual pro- growers.Loss of the railroad, chang- duction of both wheat and barley. es in government programs, and theMost of the storage is up-county, due costprice-squeeze have thrown ato past-service of the railroad.With shadow over coop operations.Thethe loss of the railroad and the move- committee reviewed cooperative storage facilities and the possibilities ofment of grain by truck to river facil- closer cooperation for the financialities,additional grain storage along benefit of all producers. the river may be required.

29 SHERMAN COUNTY GRAIN STORAGE CAPACITY (1) Facilities Facilities Bushels Value

Sherman Cooperative Grain Growers Biggs 350,000 Rufus 200,000 Wasco 710,000 Kiondike 685,000

1,945,000 $1,230,000 Moro Grain Growers Association Moro 680,000 Hay Canyon 966,000 Erskine 150,000 DeMoss 373,000 Biggs 220,000

2,389,000 $1,630,000 Grass Valley Grain Growers Grass Valley 1,380,000 Bourbon 200,000 Kent 792,000

2,372,000 $1,100,000 Eakin Cooperative Grain Growers 114,000 $ 100,000 Farm Storage (2) 1,000,000 unknown

TOTALS 7,820,000 $4,060,000

Data compiled by Sherman County Extension Agent from information provided by the few cooper- tive grain firms February, 1967.

Farm storage capacityisan estimate ofabout 60 farms that have from 2000 to severalthou- sand bushel storage. Data compiled by Sherman County Extension Agent with help of Ralph Busse, ASCS Office and Sherman Wheat Grower League Committee January, 1967.

AVERAGE TOTAL FARM PRODUCTION IN BUSHELS SHERMAN COUNTY (1)

Years Wheat Barley Total Bushels

1948-53 3,732,000 132,000 3,864,000 1954-59 3,128,000 1,422,000 4,550,000 1960-66 3,058,000 1,251,000 4,309,000

(1) Data compiled by Sherman County Extension Agent from OSU Cooperative Extension Service Agri- cultural Economist and StatisticalReport Service, USDA, Portland, February, 1967.

30 Methods of closer cooperation be- On the basis of our study and from tween cooperative grain firms wasthe results of the farmer question- given as complete a study as possible.naire we recommend: Pooling of grain along with a separate Consideration be given to a truck transportation coop organization serv-cooperative for the four cooperative ing all cooperatives was given consid-grain firms.Preliminary analysis by eration. With the uncertainty of whatthe OSU Agricultural Economics De- action to take, we undertook a sur-partment indicates there may be an vey of all producers in the county toeconomic advantage for such action. determinetheirsentimenttoward having closer cooperation between co- The boards of directors of the operative firms. four cooperative grain firms take into Results of the survey from 45% ofaccount the results of this survey and the operators equally distributed overobtain the services of an independent the county, are as follows: firm or agency to conduct an econom- Would you favor more coordi-ic analysis as to the advantages and nated effort among the cooperativedisadvantages of merging the four organizationsastotransportation,cooperative grain firms. grain pooling, etc.? That,ifthe cooperative boards Ye-78% No-8% TJndecided-12%desire, the OSU Cooperative Eten- Would you favor an independentsion Service call an information meet- economic study as to advantages anding for the boards of directors to dis- disadvantages of merging the four co-cuss the procedure, firms or agencies operative grain firms? available, and cost for an economic Yes-76 % No-15 % Undecided-9 %analysis.

MARKETING AND TRANSPOWFATION COMMI1EE F. L. Watkins, Chairman John Hilderbrand Max Barzee, Secretary Bill Jefferies John Beuther Malcolm McKinney Owen Eakin Millard Melzer Tommy Eakin Vernon Miller. Lloyd Gosson Rodney Rolfe Mac Hall Dewey Thomas Gordon Harper Ted Thompson Joe Heater Thomas W. Thompson

31 Water Resource Development Larry Kaseberg, Chairman Thomas W. Thompson, Secretary The Sherman Water Resource De-about halffalling from November velopment Committee, since itsbe- throughFebruary. Annualtotals ginning in 1964, has been actively en-vary from 17.17 inches to 4.63 inches. gaged in the study of water develop- Waterfordrinkinga n dother ment.Particular attention has beenhousehold uses ordinarily is obtained given to determining possible irriga- from wells dug or drilled to a depth tion areas; summarizing land acre-ef 20 to 700 feet.On most ranches ages at different elevations; investi-shallow wells predominate, but deep gating thefeasibilityof particulardrilled wells are becoming more com- projects, types of legal organizationsmon.Springs and artesian wells fur- available for sponsoring irrigation de-nish water for a few homesteads. velopment, and type of crops which Perennial and intermittent streams can be grown; reserving irrigationare a major source of water for live- pumpingsites, andinvestigatingstock.Water for stock also is sup- ground water potential. plied by artificial ponds that collect Sherman County, lying on the eastrunoff. side of the Cascade Mountains, has the continental climate of the Inter-Irrigation mountain Region.Rarely do abnor- Irrigationisnot common in the mally hot or cool spells persist forcounty, primarily because of limited more than a few days at a time. Dur- supply of water on the uplands. Most ing warm summer months, daytimeirrigation is along main streams, such humidity is low, with average num-as the John Day River.Irrigation ber of hours of sunshine high.Lowfrom deep wells is increasing but not annual rainfall is characteristic withto a great extent. TREND IN IRRIGATED ACREAGES 1939 1949 1954 1959 1964 Irrigated land in farms 322 602 1505 1395 Irrigated cropland harvested 194 206 358 665 673 Orchards 118 78 95 45 43 Irrigated Pasture 6 244 840 795 Construction of the John Day Darnplace for early development of an has created the possibility of usingirrigation project.Some 50,000 acres Columbia River water for supplemen-could be reached by high-lift irriga- tal irrigation of Sherman County dry-tion from Lake Umatilla slack water. land wheat farms.This new struc-The Walla Walla Corps of Engineers ture can not only provide slack waterhasassuredthecountyirrigation for irrigation, but also an opportuni-pumping sites to serve this section of ty for lower power rates and cropthe county.Feasibility of this proj- diversification. ect, and the adaptability of market- Initial investigation has shown theable crops are both under various Emigrant-Biglow area of northeaststages of investigation. Sherman Countythemostlikely Owners and operators in northeast 32 Sherman County have embarked on a voluntary contribution program toGround Water Survey financeaprivateengineering and Sherman County primarily obtains feasibility study.Oirectors electedits water supply from wells.Little to pursue the project have organizedis known about the majority of exist- into a group called N. E. Shermaning wells, or the possibility of obtain- Irrigation,Inc. The excellentre-ingsufficient water forirrigation sponse to this project has resulted infrom new well sources. securing most of the funds needed to We recommend the county work handle the preliminary investigation.towards securing a cooperative county,state and federal ground water A variety of resource persons havestudy. assisted the group, and many sources of information have been studied. We suggest, and will initiate a More information and research arequestionnaire to Sherman residents still needed.With this in mind weto obtain further information on well recommend that: locations,andothersupplemental data. Ownersandoperatorsinthe We recommend, and will obtain northeast Sherman area contract foravailable well information from the a privately financed engineering andState Etigineer's office. feasibility study.Such a study will We recommend the county ob- give basis for an individual analysistain a listing of people available to of the project, and will determinetest wells. whether it would be a profitable ven- ture at this time. We recommend that the county give its full cooperation in obtaining Directors of N. E. Sherman Irri-and supplying this information for gation, Inc., coordinate an intensivebetterment of the county. educational program on the various aspects of the engineering and feasi-Soil Conservation Projects bility analysis to insure complete un- Sherman County has few areas derstanding of any proposed develop-where SCS 566 project would be ec- ment. onomically feasible.One is located * A thorough study be made of le-in the Grass Valley and Rosebush gal water development districts andCanyon area. educational programs to acquaint cit- The committee recommends fur- izens on the advantages and disadvan- ther study of this area fOr multiple tages of each type. purposeconstruction,coveringnot only erosion, but also pollution, wild- OSU continueinvestigationof adaptable crops, productivity, quali- life,recreation, irrigation, and gen- ty and water requirement for theeral water storage. area north and east of Wasco. We further recommend initiation ofir- Pumping Sites rigated cropping trials at the Sher- Sherman County has a great deal man station to provide informationat stake inits future development about higher elevations for future ir- along the rivers and their tributaries. rigation development. With this in mind we recommend Remaining county elevation acre-that: age be classified, as has been com- Proposed irrigation pumping sites pleted in the northern part of thebe retained county. Information be available oii the 33 possible irrigation, industry and do-Long Range Forecast mestic uses of water. Sherman County has a great future Priority of water for agricultureahead with water available being processing plants be observed. backed up by the John Day Dam Water quality control be retained.into the John Day River.Increased Pollution be prohibited. development of water usage, primar- Establishment of conflictingin- ily in irrigation, could affect the en- dustries be discouraged. tire economic and social structure of the county. State and Federal Projects This projest could, on a projected Through the efforts of this commit-basis,produce$279,300per1,000 tee and the Sherman County Court,acres.The population increase would the county is listed on the John Dayindicate an increase of 1,660 more Basin Corps of Engineers' proposedpeople employed, and an increase in study on flood control and conserva-population of 3,170 people. tion. We recommend continuationof This committee recommends thattheWaterResourceDevelopment the county court and water resourceCommittee, and the continual inves- committee be informed of state, corps,tigation, study, and development of and federal projects involving theprograms to utilize to the fullest op- county's land and water, portunities for water development.

WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Larry Ka.seberg, Chairman Bob Olsen John Buether, Vice-Chairman Bill Rolfe Thomas W. Thompson, Secretary Keith Thompson Bob Boynton George von Borstel Chet Coats Gordon Hilderbrand Ex Officio: Bill Forrest Rolland Johnson Donel Lane Gordon Lemley Glenn Tracy

34 Livestock and Range Rob Martin, Chairman Terry Dugan, Secretary

The Livestock and Range Commit-infectiousb o v i n erhinotracheitis tee is concerned with the opportuni-should be continued. ties for supplying protein food for the Externalparasites can best be increased population anticipatedincontrolled by the use of the dipping Oregon and throughout the nation. vat. Atthepresenttime,Sherman Education programsshouldbe County has 12,000 cows and calves,conducted by the Extension Service 1,000 sheep, and 800 hogs.Althoughon parasite and disease control in livestodk and range is secondary tobeef cattle. grain production in the county, it con- A high nitrogen level being add- tributed nearly 17% of the total 1966ed to cropland will produce the fol- cash farm income.The 1966 valuelowing needs for beef cattle produc- of all livestock and livestock productsers: sold amounted to $1,062,000. Nitrate poisoning needs to be Livestock and Range Committeewatched. members feel new practical manage- Vitamin A will need to be sup- ment and marketing practices shouldplemented as a normal practice. be adopted by the livestock industry. The committee also feels adoption of Vitamin E deficiency in Sherman the following recommendations willCounty cattle may become prevalent benefit Sherman County citizens ascausing white muscle disease. well as being of direct benefit to live- The calcium and phosphorus bal- stock producers in future years. ance needs to be supplemented in a year-round feeding program. The committee recommends: 0 Financing in the future should be stressed as it will become increasing- Beef Cattle ly important.Some of the following Producers acquire or keep theideas will make it easier to secure most efficient cattle through produc-financing: tion testing. Most financial institutions will Controlling heat cycles by therequire financing at one location. use of estrogen compounds has great Records on current and past potential; it should be explored andoperations help in obtaining loans. tested. A budget will be needed to jus S The use of artificial inseminationtify loans. toproducehighquality,uniform New electronic data processing calves needs to be started in the coun-record keeping systems will help in- ty. dividuals keep adequate records. Freeze branding for identification Individuals will be judged on purposes needs to be demonstratedtheir demonstrative record of hones- locally. ty, dependability and integrity. Vaccination for specific diseases, Farming should be looked on including vibriosis, leptosperosis, andas a business and treated as such. 35 Hogs livestock productionisin develop- Hog numbers need to be enlargedment, improvement and proper uti because hog production offers thelization of forage resources. greatest potential for expansion of the Investments in range improvements livestock industry in Sherman Coun-frequently offer much greater returns ty. to investments than many accepted Production tested boars need toexpenditures of a range livestock op- be obtained so the emphasis on theerator.The committee recommends; meat-type hog will prevail. TheExtensionService,survey New and improved methods oftotal range potential and initiate ex- hog production such as usingslatperimental grass seedings in order to floors need to be encouraged. find the most suitablegrasses for Sherman County range areas. Horses Special agriculturalstabilization Horses need to be upgraded andand conservation practices that are buying of purebred horses instead ofavailable for range improvements be grade stock should be encouraged. used to help in cost sharing. A general training session peri- Improved water storage methods odically conducted by the Extensionsuch as water traps and plastic pipes Service in horse parasites and nutri- be used where practical. tion would help owners better un- Fertilizer not be used on native derstand the requirements of horses.grass ranges since it is not economic- Interstateshipmentofhorsesally feasible or desirable. should be more strictly regulated for The Extension Service help range disease prevention purposes. livestockproducersutilizerange more effectively through better tim- Range ing of grazing. Appoximately 42 per cent of theS Marginal cropland be analyzed by acreage of the county is in range. Ofowners and possibly seeded to per- this, about 37 per cent produces us-manent pasture. able forage.The rest consists of rock Cooperativesagesprayingbe- slides, dunes, and riverwash.Mosttween individuals be encouraged to of the acreage occurs along the Des-cut costs. chutes and John Day rivers, along drainage ways to these rivers, and in A range management advisory areas where soils are shallow in theboard be set up to coordinate activi- southern portion of the county. tiesof various agencies concerned The range in Sherman County dif-with the range resources on both a fers from many other areas in that itcounty and state level. is truly grassland, and broadleaved Those persons interested in a graz- herbs and shrubs are insignificent asing association approach the idea by forage plants.In thepast,cattleanalyzingt h esituationcarefully, have utilized nearly 200,000 acres ofAdvantages of larger units and in- native rangeland in the county eachcreased efficiency of range may be year. offset by numerous disadvantages. To a large extent, the range re- Private individuals interested in sources have been characterized byrecreation as a source of income from inefficient management.In Shermantheir range should study the advan- County, the greatest single potentialtages and disadvantages of this use forincreasingefficiencyof rangeof range. 36 efforts in the following areas: A hay Summary buying cooperative, to decrease cost An overall unity of purpose in man-and increase quality; a grazing asso- agement and utilization of resourcesciation, to increase summer pasture; and an increase in cooperation be-a fence building cooperative, to de- tween individual and agencies wouldcrease fencing costs; a sage spraying be beneficial in the future.Workingcooperative,todecreasespraying together would result in greater eff i- ciency and decrease production costs.costs; and a hay equipment coopera- The committee feels livestock pro-tive, to. pool equipment and decrease ducers could benefit from cooperativecost of purchasing hay equipment. LIVESTOCK AND RANGE COMMITrEE Bob Martin, Chairman Bud Kock Steve Burnet, Vice-Chairman Leland Medler Terry P. Dugan, Secretary David Richelderfer Jim Beishe Orville Ruggles Stan Coelsch John Shipley John Fields George Fox Ex Officio: Bill Forrest Bob Holmes Dillard Gates Lee Kaseberg Dick May

37 Land Use and Crops

Don Thompson, Chairman Verne Mobley, Secretary The economy of Sherman Countytices, and use of newly developed is based on productive, dryland agri-knowledge to enhance farm manage- culture, with winter wheat the mostment skills. important crop.Grain will continue Adoption of the following recom- to make a major contribution to themendations made by the crop produc- economy of Sherman County.In ad- tion, soil conservation, farm manage- dition, there is a promising potentialment and weed control subcommit- for increasing production of intensivetees, will help improve the agricul- irrigated crops in some parts of thetural production in the county. county. Continuation of the Land Use and Maintenance and growth of our dryland agriculture depends on prop-Crops Committee following comple- erconservationof landresources,tion of the present ten-year planning continued adaptation of cultural prac-effort also is recommended. Crop Production Dryland crops are the1 a r g e s tment is available. Grain aphids, cut- sourceofincomeinthecounty.worms, wheat stem maggots, wheat Around three hundred thousand acreshead worms, Mormon crickets, and of cultivated land are available forgrasshoppers have caused yield loss. cropping. Winter wheat is king, withWe recommend. barley of significant importance dur- Constant watch for insect occur- ing the past 10 years due to federalrence to avoid a sudden buildup of farm programs.Sherman County,numbers that will cause damage be- with 55% of its land under cultiva-fore chemical controls can be used. tion, has the highest percentage of OSU research and Extension con- any county in Oregon.It dependstinuetostudyinsectthreatsand more on dryland cereals than anychemicals adapted for our area. other county in the state. Particular problems and achieve- ments have occurred during the pastPlant Disease Control 10years. Many current problems Ten years ago smut was the most are s t ill unanswered.Unforeseendestructive disease recognized in our problems and production opportuni- area. Now stripe rust, foot and root ties will need constant local atten-rots, and powdery mildew are the tion and planning with research andmost costly plant diseases confront- education groups. ing wheat growers.Estimates by the Sherman County Agent indicatea Insect Problems million dollars a year average loss Wireworms are the most significantfrom these diseases during past five insect problem to Sherman wheat-years.Much research has been done land; however, effective seed treat-toproduceresistantvarietiesof 38 wheat and better chemical controls,tinuing basis to keep abreast of chang- but more and continuous research ising nutrient needs a n d economical needed to combat new diseases andrates of application. new varieties of old diseases.We That farmers use the OSU Soils recommend: Testing Laboratory for determining That efforts be made by Shermancertain nutrient needs. County and state organizations to ob- That farmers keep more complete tain a cereal pathologist for Oregon.records of theirfertilizer practices That the Land Use and Cropsand report results. Committee, in conjunction with the ExtensionService,estimateyearlyVariety Testing losses from major plant diseases. Most Sherman f a r m e r sadapt A 10-yearevaluationprogramquickly to changes in wheat varieties. of cultural practices to control footSupporting data for the wide variety and root rot on selected farms, toof soil types and climatic conditions gather informationt h a tcould behas been lacking. A series of wheat used to reduce crop losses. variety plots has been initiated in That the Cooperative Extensionvarious parts of the county to test Service continue to pay close atten-varieties under varying soil and mois- tion to disease problems, cooperateture conditions.The committee bein research programs in the county,lieves there has been a shortage of andestablishdemonstrationtrialsthis type work in the drier areas of as needed. the Columbia Basin. We recommend: Trials be conducted in dry areas Fertilizer Programs to supplement information gathered Nearly a half milliondollars aat the Sherman and Pendleton Ex- year is spent on commercial fertilizersperiment Stations. for Sherman County farms.Nitro- gen is the principal nutrient used, The Extension Service continue with little indication to date that sul-to work in conjunction with the re- fur or phosphorus are needed on drysearchstationsinconductingthis land.Irrigated crops use sulfur andprogram and provide an analysis of phosphorus in varying degrees.Littlethe results to growers. research or demonstration work has been done in the past 10 years onBarley and Spring Wheat fertilizer rates and needs, according Rapid change has occurred in win- to soil types.We recommend: terwheatvarieties,whilelittle ThattheOregonAgriculturalchange over 30 yearsis noted in Experiment Station renew study ofspring wheat a n d barley varieties. fertilizer rates and timing at the Sher-Spring grains for certain specialized man Branch Experiment Station. conditkrns have a definite place in That the Experiment Station andour agricultural picture.S p r i n g USDA Agricultural Research Servicegrains are needed to combat severe develop an improved fertilizer test-rye and cheat problems, and when ing program for nitrogen and sulfur.reseeding is necessary following se- That the Land Use and Cropsvere weather. Committee coordinate a countywide We recommend the Experiment fertilizer trial program according toStation and U S D A plant breeders soil types and rainfall, seeking assis- give attention to developing higher tance of farmers, Extension Service,yielding, adaptable winter and spring ExperimentStationa n dfertilizerbarley and spring wheat varieties for dealers.Trials should be on a con-our area.

39 Adaptation of irrigated crops as to Seed Quality yields and quality needs much work Quality of wheat continues to bein the county to determine what crops of great importance in our expand-are feasible and profitable to pro- ing markets. We recommend: duce. Consideration,aspersonnel That farmers continue to grow thepermits, should be given to irrigated varieties best adapted to our areascrops not only at the lower elevatiQn, that are suited for the milling, bak-but at the Sherman Station as well. ing, and export markets. The irrigated crop testing program That seed producers be encour-should provide a thorough testing aged to expand production of certi-program.Collection of data, how- fled seed to help provide growersever, from similar areas in the Pacif- with the new varieties free from icNorthwest, s h o u 1 d be helpful. weeds, mixtures, and diseases. Farm leadership should be provided In the near future hybrid wheatsto work with OSU, and with process- will be coming into use. We shoulding companies in this program, to keep in touch with this prospect andview test plots and to help in the for- ma1ke their use available in this areamation ofrealistic judgments con- whenever feasible. cerning the suitability of the Colum- bia Plateau for production of vege- Irrigated Crops table crops for processing. An irrigated vegetable crop dem- Climatic data for prospective ir- onstration area was initiated in 1966rigated areas is needed. We recom- in northeast Sherman County by themend that a program be initiated with 0513 Experiment and Extension Serv- the aid of a random number of grow- ice. ers to collect detailed data on soil We recommend this program betemperature, air temperature, wind continued and the quality of the pro- velocity, and length of growing sea- gram be improved. son. Soil Conservation Proper use of conservation of ourto accelerated erosion caused by dis- land resources is vital to all.Pres-turbanceof n a t u r a 1conditions; ent users of land resources are mere-through burning,excessive grazing ly transitory custodians.We haveor tillage.Wind and water erosion a responsibility to future generationsare both important problems.Soil to leave our soil in better conditionloss studies have been conducted and than when we took it over.Soil con-a conservation needs inventory has servation is best defined as "The prac-been made. Complete data on county tical and profitable use of the landsoils and their management is avail- and other natural resources, withoutable in the cooperative soil survey waste." manual. There has been marked progress in the last decade toward adoptionDryland Farming of soil conservation practicesPro- The 1964 "Christmas Flood" re- tectingthesoilagainst wind andpeated the need for rapid accelera- water erosion, and making a living at the same time, is not easy andtion of land conservation practices. would not be practical without theCONSERVATION PRACTICE recent advances in technology. AboutADOPTION 95% of Sherman County is subject Practices that have demonstrated 40 their usefulness and which need fur-use of chemical fallow or specialized ther adoption are: weed control practices, and that ma- Stubble MulchThis practice, ifchinery be adapted to this method of properly handled, can control 85% ofoperation. soil erosion.This was demonstrated Thecommitteerecognizesthat during the 1964 Christmas flood. the cheatgrass problem is the main Diversion TerracesLarge, farm-.obstacle to more use of stubble mulch, abletype,built by bulldozers onand that continued research by the adapted soil types and slopes. Experiment Station and demonstra- * crass WaterwaysIn major fieldtions by the Extension Service (as drainage channels. outlined in the Weed Committee section) is necessary to develop an effec- Early Fall SeedingThe commit-tive cheatgrass control program. tee recognizes that early seeding is not always practical but needs to be The maintenance and/or improve- encouraged according to weather con- ment of present levels of organic mat- ditions and the availability of varie-ter is desirable.Further basic re- ties resistant to plant pests and dis-search needs tobe undertaken to eases. We recommend that deep-fur-determine effect of excessive tillage row press-wheel drills should not beon organic matter breakdown and used under conditions of latefallcropping systems to improve organic seeding. Soil compaction resultingmatter content. from late use of press drills enhances Additional applied and basic re- runoff,especially on Condon 5ii tsearch needs to be dQne on the use barns. of stubble mulch fallow.Research SubsoilingThe committeerec-is needed on stubble mulch methods ommends that subsoilin'g be d o n eand benefits of various .tillage sys- wherever examination of soil indi-tems.Basic research is needed to de- cates a need. termine biological or physical factors that create the difference in yield be- RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATIONtween black and stubble mulch fal- NEEDS low. We recommend research be con- Comparative moisture d a t a on tinued and accelerated in the follow-various farm tillage practice is need- ing problem areas: ed.The Land Use and Crops Com- The Experiment Station and/ormittee should coordinate collection of the USDA conduct additional researchsuch data through state and federal on subsoiling in representative areasagencies. of the county according to soil type, Future plans call for a USDA rainfall, and topography. soils laboratory at the Pendleton sta- The committee believes increasedtion.The Land Use and Crops Com- use of large wheel tractors will con-mittee must coordinate ideas for re- tinue, with problems of soil compac- search from this county for this new tion and over-pulverization of soil be- program. comingmoreevident. Research Available moisture in the shal- needs to be done to determine thelower soil areas with our summer speedsandspecializedequipmentfallow system is not being efficient- needed in the summer fallow area to lyutilized. Researchworkand overcome these problems. demonstration t r i a 1 s by O'SU are Machinery companies be madeneeded to explore the physical and aware of coming changes due to moreeconomic value of a system of annual 41 cropping or early seeding of barley in conjunction with state and fed- for pasture on these shallower soils. eral agencies. Grass legume rotations are reg- Develop a small pilot watershed ognized asaconservation practice that will improve soil structure, in- project to serve as a demonstration crease water penetration, and reduce of complete conservation programs, soil erosion.This practice has been and resulting benefits, with help of attempted, but it has not gained pop- the SCS, ASCS, and Extension. ular acceptance due to farm programs Promoteincreased programs andtheuncertaintyofeconomic providing information and educa- value.Farm demonstrations and ec- tion to all age groups, town and onomic studies need to be made to country, on conservationof our prove the value of this practice. natural resources. CONSERVATION COORDINATION, S County schools include study of TEChNICAL ASSISTANCE AND conservationintheircurriculum, EDUCATION seekingassistancefromavailable Progress in adoption of conserva-agencies. tion practices on dryland farm areasS Farmers avail themselves of state has been rapid during the past 10and federal agency resources and ed years. A varietyof organizationsucational material such as the "Sher- and agencies working with growersman Soil Survey Manual," research have assisted this advancement. Theandeducationalliterature,experi- county and Oregon Wheat Growersment station and general farm tours. Leagues have supportedprograms, and have given encouragement toIrrigated Lands conservation of our resources.The Soil Conservation District has pro- Water resource development in the vided leadership in coordinating con-county was given consideration by servation efforts.The Soil Conser-a special committee.Present irri- vation Service, ASCS, and Coopera- gated acres are minor, but prospects tive Extension Service have all beenfor a 40,000-acre project in northeast active in some phase of the program.Sherman County will create soil conservation and management problems In lightof past accomplishmentsneeding further study and education. and the need for further adoption of Some problems n o w recognized, erosion control methods, we recom-which will require further study, in- mend: clude: irrigation water management, That the Wheat League continuecovercrops,croprotations,s 0 I to seek long-range federal grain pro-amendments for caliche and alkali gramsconsideringconservationofareas, drainage problems, and wind our natural resources. and water erosion control on steep- That the Soil Conservation Dis-er land. trict continue to provide leadership Intensifiededucationalprograms, to farmers in adopting conservationfield demonstrations and technical on- programs; designing these programs,farm assistance will be needed if rap-. and providing support and counsel-id expansion of irrigation occurs. We ing with all agencies available in thisrecommend the OSU research and Ex- field. tension services and the Soil Conser- a. Encourage improved cooperativevation Service keep abreast of devel- action by tenant and landowner onopments, and plan forstaffingof adoption of conservation practicespersonnel to meet such needs. 42 Weed Control Marked progress has occurred over the past 10 years in weed controlWeed District efforts in Sherman County. A varie- A weed control district pertaining ty of new materials have becometo certain noxious perennial weeds as available,timingandapplicationestablished in 1940 by court order. methods have been much improved;Provisionsofthis order have not and coordination of total efforts bybeen enforced. A new Oregon weed farmers and agencies has paid off. law is under study which, if passed, willrequiregreaterattentionby Weeds are a constant threat to ag-land owners and county governing riculture. We need to renew past ef-bodies.This committee approves in forts, continue to support educationalprinciple the provisions of the new activities, and push for gradual en-law but recommends further study forcement of weed district laws. be given to specific provisions and proposed changes.We recommend Weed Council the county work toward enforcement The Sherman Weed Council wasof weed control laws, providing funds formed 10 years ago to coordinatefor personnel, materials, equipment, county weed control programs, andand legal help. to provide direction for educational activities.We recommend continu- Weed Control on Public ation of the weed Council, with two members appointed by the Court andProperty five elected on a rotation basis during The County Extension agents have the annual weed meeting each winter.coordinated efforts for perennial and The council should coordinate thenoxious weed control on city, county, county weed program with the Coun-state, and federal properties. ty Court, land owners and operators, We recommend continued super- commercial applicators, public utili-vision of this program by Extension ties, and state and federal agencies.agents, but we also recommend that We recommend the Council continuethe county budget sufficient funds to to: hire part-time or full-time help to do the field work, provide materials, and Develop an intensive weed pro-maintain equipment. gram to reduce present perennial infestation and sources of new infesta- All perennial noxious weeds, plus tions, with consideration for efficien-nuisance weeds, such as wild oats, cy and proper use of present andrye,sandbur,a n dpuncturevine, future tax dollars. should be eradicated on public property.The County Court is to be com- Inventory perennial weed infes-plimented on their roadside weed con- tations and take action to meet thesetrol program. problems. We recommend continued support Serve as an advisory group to thefor sterilization and/or hormone ma- County Court on weed problems onterials on county road properties. private, state, and federal lands. Increased attention should be giv- Work closely with the OSU Coop-en to developing and using a grass erative Extension Service in use ofseeding program on old as well as on new chemicals, recommendations, andcounty road sections. educational programs on weed con- We recommend that all new roads trol. be shaped and seeded to grass by the 43 county before fences are rebuilt. We0 Covering of bulk trucks to reduce further recommend that the countythe spread along roadways and field and the Cooperative Extension Serv-roguing is recommended. ice continue to investigate methods and grass varieties for roadside seeding. Further investigationoftheCheat grczss Problem broadcasting system used by the State Cheatgrassisthenumber o n e Highway Department is encouraged.weed pest and production problem in The court a n d road departmentSherman County.This annual plant have agreed toshape road bankshas evaded research efforts for selec- wherefarmersarebuildingnewtive control in grain. fences. 0 We continue to recommend exten- We encourage this program andsive research work by the Oregon recommend that more producers takeAgriculture Experiment Station, Ag- advantage of this opportunity to es-ricultureResearchService, USDA, tablish grass in fence rows, to reducechemical companies, and plot and sourcesofannualandperennialfield demonstrations by the OSU Co- weeds, and for soil stabilization. operative Extension Service. A quick answer to the cheatgrass Noxious Weeds problem is doubtful.Known meth- The goal of eradication of Whiteods to reduce infestation need to be Russian Knapweed, Canadianemployed.Control of cheatgrass in Top, fencerows,wasteland,andfield Thistle, and Dalmation Toadflax on Proper timing of allpropertiesduringthe past10draws is helpful. years was not achieved.Progresstillageoperationsisessential1 0 r was made but renewed effort withcheat control.Chemical fallow meth- new materials and techniques needsods now available are useful for stubble mulch fallow.The latter meth- to be emphasized. od holds promise for earlier cheat- We recommenderadicationofgrass control than selective methods. these perennial weeds as fast as pos- Continued investigation and dem- sible. onstrations along these lines are recommended. Rye As A Weed Selective methodsf 0 rchemical Ryegraincontinuestoplaguecheatgrass control could well cause growers as a crop pest in wheat andchanges in timing, equipment, and barley.Research is encouraged toresidue factors for future crops. find a selective chemical for its con- We recommend OSU and USDA trol.Farmers are encouraged to con- agricultural engineers and cheiica1 sider the plant as a weed and to uti- companiesg i v econsideratioilito lize known methods to reduce infes- equipment needs in regard to timing tation and future spread. A rotationand methods for either chemical fal- with fall tillage and spring wheat forlow or selective cheatgrass control two years has proven effective. programs. Roadside and wasteland rye control and grass seeding are recom-Weed Awareness mended. Farmers with field infestation of Old and new weeds are constant- rye can be of valuable service toly being introduced into our com- neighbors and the entire county bymunities.Itis recommended that utilizing the known control methods.farmers be constantly aware of Un- 44 known plants and the various meth-operation with Sherman farmers and ods of weed seed spreading. chemical company fieldmen. Sources of weed seed movement There are over 100 different chem- are motor vehicles, weed seed inicals and combinations of chemicals crop seed, livestock, hay, feed, farmthat are used effectivelyin weed equipment,. wildlife feeding on ma- control. Farmers and commercial ture plants, flower and garden seedapplicators need to become more fa- packages, wind a n d water erosion,miliar with types of materials, their and the introduction of undesirablespecific uses, and cautions for u s e. plantsinto A safeguard for any user of herbi- yardsorcemeteries.cides is to follow the registered label Hand-outs,weedpamphlets,weedattached to the container. sample mounts, coloredslides, and Extreme caution needs to be tak- identification of plants are availableen in use of materials to ward off from the County Extension office. spray damage problems to desirable There is a constant a t t a c k onplants and plantings.Some serious weeds. New chemicalsa r econ-spray drift damage has occurred to stantly being released. towns, farm yards, and wildlife habi- tat plantings.Increased attention to We recommend the OSU Cooper-safety by all applicators is necessary, ative Extension Servicecall weedotherwisecontinuedviolationand problems to the attention of researchmisuse will undoubtedly cause a re- institutions, and continue to demon-striction in the use of these extreme- strate the use of new materials in co-Sly important spray materials. Farm Management Today's farming methods and organization units are vastly differentFarm Size from that of 50 years ago.Tomor- The average sized Sherman Coun- row's farming will be characterizedty farm has increased 20% in acre- by a new kind of challenge.Revo-age during the past 10 years.The lutionary changes in production tech-adoption of new techniques in produc- niques, adjustment in f a r m units,tion and the pressure of profit mar- and narrower profit margins, havegins has reduced farm numbers and added and will continue to add newincreased the size of dryland sum- dimensions to farm business manage-mer fallow farms. We predict farm ment.Success is no longer assuredsize by acreage will continue to in- by hard physical work, but to a greatcrease. Irrigation development would extent determined by the ability of agradually change the averagesize farmer to make sound decisions, andfarm. by his willingness to face uncertainty and accept risk. Landlord-Tenant Relations Making sound decisionsrequires Land ownership in Sherman Coun- the application of economic princi-ty has been closely held for the past ples, either by intuition or design.80 years, except for a period during Successful farm management in thethe 1930's, with the result that 60% past has largely relied on trial andof tillable acres are tenant operated. error methods.Farmers need to uti-This percentage has declined during lize farm management economic prin-the past 10 years due to absentee ciples to reduce guess work and tolandowner sales in the mid-sixties, and improve decision making with lower wheat prices and result- 45 ing lower returns to capital.During Increased use of electronic data 1938, 71% of the cropland was ten-processing systems by Sherman farm- ant operated, with a small decline toers to gather data and assist produc- 69% in 1958. ersinevaluation,analyzing,a n d We feel the trend to larger dry-planning the most efficient operation. land farms will continue, and thatWe furtherencourageeducational the county might be more conduciveprograms by Extension Service to in- to constructive improvement in farm- form growers of their value, and how ing methods, conservation practicesto utilize the data obtained. and general welfare of the county if Increasededucationalprograms percentage of owner-operators wasby the OSTJ Extension Service in higher. farm management,throughwork- Irrigated agriculture would causeshops,shortcourses,farm manage- a radical change in farming methodsment studies, enterprise analysis, and and owner-operator operational pat-adaption of multiple enterprises to terns for summer fallow wheat farm-dryland or irrigated farming. ers. Utilization of a farm management We recommend a thorough studyarea specialist by the OSU Extension be made of the changes in farm own-Service, who would work more close- ership and operation that might bely with county Extension agents and necessary in order to bring about afarmers in implementing the study more intensified form of agricultureand adoption of farm management in the county. principles. Farm Management Tools Enterprise Data Studies As a relative one-crop and special- Eflterprise data studies provide in- ized farm economy,t h e Shermanformation on the cost of production County farmer has not utilized to aper acre.Such information can be high degree farm management toolsadapted to different crops or crop- and principles for farm business an-ping practices, and can be done as a alysis and planning.As farms en-grouporbyindividualgrowers. large, management becomes the keyThey are not a substitute for detailed to successful operation.Within therecords for growers, but give useful next 10 years agriculture islikelyestimates of current costs.A wheat to face a revolutionary change in theenterprise data study was developed management function due to comput-by the farm management subcommit- er technology.Dryland wheat farm-tee in conjunction with OSU Exten- ers, with larger acreage, prospectivesion Service.Copies are available technology changes, and equipmentfrom County Extension Agent's office. costs, will find use for these systems,We recommend: aswillmultipleenterprisefarms. Periodic updating of this study Adaptationoflivestockenterprisesand development of additional studies and the multiplicity of irrigated ag-for dryland and irrigated crops and riculture in part of the county, willlivestock programs a n d equipment bring about a need to use a varietyusage as needed. of farm management tools and eco- The Land Use and Crops Commit- nomic principles.We recommend: tee take the1 e a d,in conjunction Farmers set aside time for man-with the Extension Service, in con- agement, and more fully utilize farmducting a wheat management study, management tools, such as farm rec-or other crop or cropping programs ords,budgets, and enterprisedatafor interested producers to provide studies. up-to-date cost of operation and re- 46 turns to management, and to provide Producers analyzetheirequip- labor and capital data. ment needs, using partial budget and The Extension Service publicizethedataavailableon equipment and distribute to county producersneeds according to acreage and other the data developed. farm management tools. Equipmentcompaniesconsider Equipment Costs providing specialized equipment for Equipment costs have risen tremen-rent. dously for Sherman wheat farmers. Smaller farm units consider joint Efficiencies in ownership and use offarm ownership or custom hire. equipment can be achieved.Leasing The Land Use and Crops Commit- specialized equipment may providetee, in cooperation with the OSU Ex- some opportunity for reduced totaltension Service, work with custom cost of operation and for the adoptionoperators in developing custom hire of particular conservation practicesrates applicable to local conditions on crop and rangeland.We recom- and current enterprise data informa- mend: t'on.

LAND USE AND CROPS COMMITTEE Don Thompson, Chairman Don McDermid Verne Mobley, Jr., Secretary Delmer Smith Sam Alberty Dick Stradley Art Buether Dewey Thomas Curlie DeMoss Bill Todd Kenneth Hart Hildred Zell Rolland Johnson Ex Officio: Manning Becker Don Macnab Bill Forrest Pete Macnab Jack McDermid Lee Martin Thomas W. Thompson

COVER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Combining soft white winter wheat in Sherman County. Photo By U.S.D.A. John Day Dam east of Rufus on the Columbia River. Projectcon- structed by the Corps of Engineers with main structure to be completed by April, 1968. Photo by U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.