OREGON WOMEN FOR AGRICULTURE Working together to communicate the story of today’s agriculture The Cultivator Extremists Cause Volume 44, Issue 3 Rift in Rural Oregon Community July 2013 Out Highway 36 in the community in the Triangle Lake, just West of Junction What’s inside: City, Oregon, they have been in turmoil for the last four years. President’s 2 Corner In early 2010, a group in the the Oregon State The oddest part of the area known as the “Pitchfork University (OSU) and “study” though was that From the Editor 2 Rebellion” made accusations Oregon Health & Sciences they included the self- County Reports 3-5 that they were being University (OHSU). collected data from the exposed to toxic levels of Pitchfork Rebellion. They chemicals by aerial applica- In late summer to early had no way of knowing what 2013 Auction Report 5 tors. The area is heavily fall of 2011 the investiga- methods or protocol the forested and has quite a bit tors were on the ground in group followed in collecting of commercial timberland. the West Lane County samples. The self-collected OWA @ AAW 8 The group claimed when the community. They took samples ironically contained Fly-In the highest levels of trees were sprayed they urine samples from Member Profile: 12 were getting sick. several community mem- pesticides in the urine. Tracy Duerst bers as well as water, soil The Pitchfork Rebellion took & homegrown food. They compared the sample- Hoofin’ It for 14 it upon themselves to have collected dates to the spray Agriculture! their urine analyzed. They Finally, in May 2013 the date records in the area. took their own samples and OHA released its Public Out of 13 urine samples re- Mark your Calendar Health Assessment on the sulting with pesticides, sent it off to a lab. The re- Oregon Berry sults came back at some- exposure investigation. there had been no pesticides Festival, Ecotrust what high levels of 2,4D and applied in that time frame of Atrazine. Oregon’s Pesticide I attended on May 28th a data collection. As the lead Bldg, Portland Ju- Analytical Response Center community meeting to OHA investigator said it is a ly 12-13 review the results of the "real head scratcher" . (PARC) opened an investiga- Parents Day! tion, which the Oregon investigation. The July 28th Health Authority (OHA) is co meeting was quite inter- At this time, there is a public -chair of and headed the esting and the community comment period on the Farwest Nursery Exposure Investigation. open forum part of the report. It is open until th Show, Convention meeting was intense and August 9 . The long-time Center, Portland rather hostile at times. members of the community Participating agencies in August 22 - 24 PARC include: OHA, the are asking for the investiga- tion to end since it has Agency for Toxic Substances The results showed that Oregon State Fair indicated there is no risk and Disease Registry there was some exposure Fairgrounds, Salem of 2, 4D and Atrazine from aerial spraying. (ATSDR), the U.S. Environ- August 23 - mental Protection Agency however, not at levels of September 2nd (EPA), ODF, Oregon concern and not different However, the Pitchfork Department of Agriculture than the general U.S. pop- Rebellion is asking for more Pendleton Round - Up samples to be taken, includ- (ODA), Oregon Department ulation. No levels of tox- September 11 - 14 of Environmental Quality icity were detected. ing air samples. They are (DEQ) and consultants from continued on page 5… President’s Corner From the Editor We must get out and talk to people outside our normal June has been an extra busy month for me! Our crowds about what we do in agriculture. youngest son graduated from high school with honors and I must say we are proud of him! We celebrated with OWA’s experience at the Salem Health event was a good family and friends. example of why we need to be in those places more. People were asking questions that most likely appeared Since that June day, I have been all over the state of basic to someone who has lived their life in agriculture. Oregon preparing both of my boys for college. With However, the fact is most people do not know what each of them, I travelled to Pendleton and Corvallis. On farmers and ranchers do or WHY we do it. my way, I witnessed the many aspects of agriculture in our great state. From mint to potatoes, corn and grass In June, I had the opportunity to go speak at a 140 seed, timber and berries, wheat and cattle. Oregon’s conference on behalf of the AgChat Foundation. A 140 abundance of agricultural production is amazing. We conference is a social media based conference with 10 all have something to be proud of. minute talks focused on social media and the theme of the conference. Basically, how does the subject matter On our road trip travelling I-84, I saw a new building tie in with Twitter or Facebook. This year’s theme was off the freeway near the Port of Morrow. Wondering “Exploring the State of: Health, Wellness Fitness and what it was, it had a electronic reader board stating Food”. Out of nearly 100 speakers there, I was one of The Sage Center, Now Open. We didn’t have time to four farmers on the list to speak. stop, so when I got home I did some research to find that, the SAGE Center is an interactive visitor center My topic was “Can FoodChat Make you Healthier?”. that highlights “sustainable agriculture and energy.” FoodChat is a monthly twitter chat and there is a Developed by the Port of Morrow at Boardman, Oregon corresponding facebook page as well. The goal of the the SAGE Center gives visitors a unique opportunity to chat and facebook page is to have consumers, learn about the technology that takes place locally dieticians, foodies and farmers all connect in one place within the Port of Morrow and region without visiting without any type of agenda or messaging. Just having each industry. I find this fascinating that the Port a conversation about food and the what, where, when, would construct such an educational display! One that why and how of it. OWA might think about having some sort of representation there. In addition to serving as an Simply put, I believe FoodChat can make you interactive visitor center, the SAGE Center offers a healthier. Why? Because putting a face or name to how unique setting for various events and functions. Find your food is produced gives you a peace of mind. more information on the website: www.visitsage.com Knowing that a farmer and rancher care deeply about the food he produces and goes above and beyond to During our travels along I-5 and Oregon’s highway 34, I ensure quality. These are things the people in New was very proud to spot the crop ID signs that our OWA York City and across the country want to hear about members have posted along these highways. What a and know. great sight and now I, myself, know what crops are being harvested this season in those areas. Whether you use social media to accomplish this or just talk to random people in the grocery store, keep it We are all well into the summer and harvest season up. The more OWA participates in events like the here in Oregon. Your public relations/outreach Salem Health Eat, Live Play Food & Fitness Affair and committee has been busy placing radio ads on various answer the basic questions about food, the more we stations throughout the state of Oregon highlighting can offer peace of mind to the public about the safety the importance of motorists being aware of farm and quality of their food. equipment being transported on roadways. I know the Oregon Department of Agriculture has also been ~Marie Bowers, OWA President working on getting information out to the media and Oregonians to watch for slow moving farm equipment on the roads as well. They have also stressed the rules Polk farm safety ad from August 2013 farmers need to abide by for transporting the equipment. The next Cultivator will be published in October, deadline September 20th. Have a safe and successful harvest season! ~~Jana Kittredge Page 2 The Cultivator Around the State LINN/BENTON - Hope your summer harvest is going strawberry plants, pencils, etc. Students also made well. LB gave STAR Award money to four local FFA butter and mint candy in a bag—it was a very fun and Chapters this spring for their award banquets. We also busy afternoon. donated to two of the programs that are working on greenhouses. We have two scholarships that we fund. Our next regular LB meeting is being held at the For the Agriculture majors, the winners were Jordyn historic Kirk’s Ferry Trading Post & Restaurant, 217 Coon, Sierra Engler, & Christa Towery ($2,500 to be W Bishop Way, 541 466-5614, in Brownsville on July split among these three). And for the non-Ag majors 9th at noon. Members can order lunch as we work (child/grandchild of a LB member) we had two $500 through the agenda. Then on August 13th, we will winners: Elle Coon and Tanner Corrado. An anonymous meet at the Albany Regional Museum, 136 Lyon St donation was made to allow two $500 winners this year. SW, 541-967-7122: at noon and enjoy salads from Thank-you. Students have been invited to a summer the food committee.