Salem-News.com Agriculture articles

Keizer Iris Parade and Festival is Blooming Spectacular!

The fields are alive with color...again!

(SALEM, Ore.) - Each year Schreiner's Iris Gardens donates hundreds of field-fresh Iris stems to the Keizer Iris Festival and there is no better place to celebrate.

This Saturday, check out the beautiful floats in the Iris Parade in Keizer, beginning at 10:30 a.m., then visit Schreiner's 10-acre display garden in full bloom.

Schrader Bipartisan Bill Passes House

Schrader Bill will Restore 2014 Biological Opinion for the Columbia River

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, a bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) to bring certainty back to the Federal Columbia River Power System passed the House with bipartisan support.

HR 3144 will put science back into the management of the hydropower operations by codifying the Obama Administration approved 2014 Biological Opinion, a collaborative agreement on how to manage the river system to protect fish and support clean, renewable energy until a new BiOp can be completed in 2022.

WSU Files Counter Suits to Protect New Apple Variety

The distinctive new apple should be widely available by early next year.

(PULLMAN, Wash.) - Washington State University announced today that it has taken legal action in state and federal court against Phytelligence, an agricultural biotechnology company, for breach of contract and patent and trademark infringement.

According to filings by WSU, Phytelligence had signed a research agreement with WSU to propagate the trees that produce Cosmic Crisp apples, subject to strict limits. However, in 2016, the company sold 135,000 Cosmic Crisp trees to an outside grower.

Are Men a Barrier to Healthier Family Eating?

Salem survey: More women interested in plant-based diet, but worry the family won't like it

(SALEM, Ore.) - A health survey of Salem-area residents by Kaiser Permanente Northwest finds that more women are likely to try a plant-based diet to improve their health, while more men say they would miss meat too much.

Studies have shown that increasing the amount of vegetables and fruit while cutting back on processed food, sugar, meat and dairy has numerous health benefits.

The Importance of Healthy Eating for Your Kids

All ages benefit from healthing up!

(SALEM, Ore.) - Healthy, sustainable eating is all the rage, and rightfully so. More and more, people are paying attention to what they eat, and where what they eat comes from.

A more symbiotic relationship between humans and food, namely how our food is produced, is necessary in order to reduce our carbon footprint as a whole.

OSU Launches Online Map of Oregon`s Gardens, Forests and Farms

New map offers opportunities to explore Oregon as an informed visitor.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - An exciting new map brings information to your fingertips. Now the public can easily explore Oregon’s forests, farms, history, public gardens and more this summer through an online map assembled by Oregon State University.

From the Visitors Center at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport to the Summer Farm Festival and Annual Field Day in Ontario, there are multiple opportunities to learn about Oregon’s natural heritage.

Smoke Plume was Prescribed Burn of 116-acres in Hwy 6 Corridor

This broadcast burn produced a very large column of smoke visible throughout Washington County and potentially neighboring counties.

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - The Oregon Department of Forestry conducted a prescribed burn today on a 116-acre site on the Tillamook State Forest near Browns Camp in the Highway 6 corridor.

The burn aimed to remove woody debris that remained after the recent completion of the Fighting Phellini Timber Sale.

BLM Sells Over 13 Million Board Feet of Timber in Linn County

The Bent Beekman and Roaring Toads timber sales totaled $3,238,399.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Approximately 13.3 million board feet (MBF) of timber was offered for sale at oral auction by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Salem District, on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.

The Bent Beekman Timber Sale (4,495 MBF), located 20 miles southeast of the town of Scio, in Linn County, was purchased by Freres Lumber Company Inc. for the bid price of $1,739,348...

BLM Releases Proposed Plan to Increase Timber Harvest in Western Oregon Forests

The public has 30 days starting April 8, 2016, to review the proposed RMP. Protests must meet the requirements described in the regulations.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed a path forward for local communities in Western Oregon with a plan that will increase job growth, tourism and recreation, and timber harvest, while offering strong protections for the northern spotted owl, listed fish species, and water resources.

Once the proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) is fully implemented, the BLM estimates that it will be able to provide 278 million board feet (mmbf) per year in total timber harvest.

Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Kicks off the 2016 Literacy Project

Because everyone EATS.... agriculture is important to 100% of us.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fifth graders in Salem physically tried on different career possibilities at the annual Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Literacy Project 2016 Kick-off at Myers Elementary School this week.

The 2016 featured book Before We Eat: From Farm to Table, and the related lesson feature a myriad of careers available in the Oregon farming, forestry, fishing, and fiber industries.