Salem-News.com Agriculture articles

A Society Beyond The Limit

Our environment is being destroyed to accommodate our increasing population and fixation on growth

(GOLD RIVER, B.C.) - My first introduction to Donella Meadows was in the mid 1990s after I began publishing The Record in Gold River. I found her columns on the Internet published under the title The Global Citizen, columns that spoke clearly about our environment and our place in it.

She co-authored a study in 1972 titled The Limits To Growth which dealt with problem of a growing world population and a finite resource base, a problem that even today many refuse to acknowledge.

Report Finds `Alarming` Rise in Global Hunger

Financial crisis and gender inequality worsen malnutrition.

(NEW YORK) - Underscoring the warning issued by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program that hunger is worsening around the world, the 2009 Global Hunger Index (GHI) records “alarming” levels of hunger and malnutrition in 29 countries.

Released 14 October, the GHI is published each year by the international humanitarian agency Concern Worldwide, the German NGO Welt Hunger Hilfe, and the International Food Policy Research Institute.

American Agri-Women Gather for 34th Annual Convention in Salem, OR

“Celebrating American Agriculture” is the theme of the annual convention.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The heart of the Willamette Valley is putting out the welcome mat for some special women who are dedicated to agriculture, and coming together in Oregon's capital city for their annual event. This time, in Oregon.

The convention will be hosted by AAW affiliate, Oregon Women for Agriculture (OWA). The group is putting on the final touches for the 34th Annual Meeting of American Agri-Women (AAW).

Farmers Arrested for Planting Industrial Hemp at DEA Headquarters

The group plants hemp seed on the DEA's Lawn with ceremonial shovels.

(WASHINGTON D.C. ) - Groups organizing in Washington D.C. today say the DEA's continued blockade of state industrial hemp programs Violates common sense as well as Obama's Presidential Directive to federal agencies to respect states' rights.

Even though the U.S. is the largest market for hemp products in the world, and industrial hemp is farmed worldwide, not a single American farmer has the right to grow the versatile crop.

Jack Herer Strives To Recover While The Fight For Hemp Goes On

Jack Herer is recovering from a heart attack, but his mission to bring hemp into the spotlight as an answer for multiple problems, continues.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Jack Herer is a very resilient fellow. 40 years ago he was a Goldwater Republican. Nine years ago he suffered a minor heart attack, and a major stroke. All these calamaties and more, he survived.

But his fight continues. For the last four weeks, Jack has been in a Portland Oregon hospital, slowly recovering from a heart attack. On Monday, he was discharged from Legacy Emanuel Hospital, and was moved to a nursing facility in Eugene.

Landowners Need to be Able to Defend Property from Wolves

When I see the emotional polarization in the news and wolf forums and opinion boards, I realize this 'wolf experiment' is a very complex issue.

(JACOBS RANCH, Keating Valley, Ore.) - On Good Friday morning three generations of Jacobs' got to experience firsthand the havoc two wolves could wreak. Just a two-minute jaunt from our sleeping households, four of the five documented wolf attacks occurred on what we call the "Home Ranch," a 640-acre chunk of farm and pastureland, just a part of what we make a living on in this high desert country.

From that day in April until today, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and Animal Damage Control confirmed 29 lambs, a pet goat and one calf killed on two ranches. This act stirred and spread the hotbed of debate in our small ranching community of Keating Valley to the Legislature in Salem and beyond.

Potential Fruit Fly Invasion Serious Threat for Oregon Fruit

Officials say the insects could shut down all of Oregon's fresh fruit sales.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The spotted wing Drosophila, which some have dubbed the “Dragon Fruit Fly”, has invaded Oregon from California and has already been confirmed in several Oregon fruit crops. Terry Witt with Oregonians for Food & Shelter, says the crops likely to be invaded include blueberries, caneberries and grapes.

Stuart Olson, a local peach, apple and cherry grower, believes this could literally shut down fresh fruit sales from Oregon. "Unlike the vinegar fruit fly that takes to rotted fruit, this critter infects ripening fruit and is visible in the fruit as a small maggot."

Food, Fun and Fame Are Faves At the Fair (VIDEO)

Good times were had by all on Day #10 at the Oregon State Fair.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Just enough rain to keep it fresh, and all the games, rides, food and entertainment kids young and old could hope for were on the agenda Sunday.

A state fair to remember.

Parking at the fair was free this year, helping offset the costs for families who visited from all over Oregon and beyond. Most of all the fair is about kids. And every age every size, and every type made it and had a fantastic time enjoying the many things to see and do.

Oregon Authors Take the Spotlight at the 148th Oregon State Fair (VIDEO)

Knowledge and fun go hand in hand at this year's Oregon State Fair!

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon State Fair is going strong, rain or shine, with tens of thousands of new and returning visitors making the most of the last few days of the 2009 fair.

In the former Jackman/Long building, nothing beats the Oregon Authors exhibit.

Kids are King (& Queen) at the Oregon State Fair (VIDEO)

Kids of all ages are having the time of their lives at the Fair.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The excitement is almost too much to take, especially for one pot bellied pig at the Oregon State Fair's petting zoo, popular for his quick reaction time in getting his belly scratched. Kids of all ages can't resist the animals.

Every one's not losing their footing though, in fact some are taking to the air.