Oregon and Washington officials on Friday confirmed that both states have had their first cases of a highly pathogenic bird flu and about 150 backyard chickens, turkeys and geese were destroyed this week.
Agriculture
Oregon Legislature passes bill mandating overtime pay for farmworkers
Oregon is headed towards becoming the eighth state to mandate overtime pay for farmworkers. The pay bill passed its final legislative hurdle on Thursday and heads to Gov. Kate Brown, who appears ready to sign the new requirement into law. That means an estimated 86,000 farmworkers next year will get[Read More…]
Washington County Farm Bureau seeks high school, college applicants for 2022 scholarships
Local students in high school and college who are pursuing an education in the fields of agriculture, education, nursing or vocational training are once again eligible for scholarships offered by the Washington County Farm Bureau this year. The deadline to apply is April 11. The scholarships, a long-time offering by[Read More…]
Bee school offered by county group
Bees are becoming more active as temperatures begin warming to 50 degrees and above, and the Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association is inviting the public to attend its annual Bee School short course. Late February is the beginning of active bee season in western Washington County and the Tualatin Valley, and[Read More…]
Proposal to pay farmworkers overtime overcomes first hurdle in Legislature
A controversial plan to require overtime pay that would affect the 86,000 farmworkers in Oregon advanced on Tuesday along partisan lines. All seven Democrats on the House Committee on Business and Labor voted for House Bill 4002, which would require owners to pay farmworkers time and a half for hours over[Read More…]
Farmworkers plead for overtime pay as ag industry warns of harmful impacts
Emotional and passionate testimony stretched into the night Tuesday during a legislative hearing on a proposal to require overtime pay for Oregon’s farmworkers. Legislation put forward by two Democratic lawmakers would pay farmworkers time and a half after working 40 hours a week and would include tax credits for companies[Read More…]
Washington County Farm Bureau seeks high school, college applicants for 2021 scholarships
Roy-area farms, taken in 2015. Photo: Chas Hundley WASHINGTON COUNTY – Local students in high school and college who are pursuing an education in the fields of agriculture, education, nursing or vocational training are eligible for scholarships offered by the Washington County Farm Bureau this year. Chair of the scholarship[Read More…]
Brush fire in Roy ‘under control’
Roy-area farms, taken in 2015. Photo: Chas Hundley A brush fire is burning in Roy on Chalmers Lane near Roy Road, according to Forest Grove Fire and Rescue. According to Forest Grove Fire and Rescue, the fire has been brought under control with crews putting out hot spots. The flames[Read More…]
Oregon Worker Quarantine Fund established to aid agricultural workers
Roy-area farms, taken in 2015. Photo: Chas Hundley SALEM – A significant portion of COVID-19 workplace outbreaks are impacting workers at agricultural operations and businesses across the state date from the Oregon Health Authority shows. And when an outbreak occurs and people are sickened by or potentially exposed to COVID-19,[Read More…]
Deadline extended for Washington Co. Farm Bureau scholarships
Roy-area farms, taken in 2015. Photo: Chas Hundley Coronavirus resources: CDC on the coronavirus, Oregon Health Authority resources, Washington County resources, Oregonian reporting on the coronavirus, OPB glossary of coronavirus terms, NYTimes free reporting on the coronavirus. The deadline to apply for this year’s Washington County Farm Bureau scholarships has been moved to May 1, as[Read More…]
