With temperatures nearing or surpassing record levels and air quality warnings in effect, burn bans are commonplace. But there are still sometimes long plumes of smoke headed into the skies over Salem begging the question: Why? “It’s a very visible activity, you can actively see it,” said farmer Kathy Hadley[Read More…]
Tag: AGRICULTURE
State holds hearing on permit for Foster Farms’ controversial slaughterhouse in Creswell
The company wants to renew a critical permit but officials said they have no plans to reopen it.
Oregon’s agriculture sector could win millions of dollars in federal funding
Minto Island Growers employees harvest beets on the south Salem farm (Courtesy/Marion Polk Food Share) Oregon’s thousands of farmers and ranchers have an opportunity to garner millions of dollars in loans and free grants from the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture. Last week the agency announced it would spend about[Read More…]
Grants in Oregon to tackle smoke threat to grapes, wild carrots invading fields, and more
A project by Oregon State University aims to protect wine grapes from “smoke taint.” (Lasseter Winery/Unsplash) Oregon’s wine industry, which has been hard hit by recent wildfires, might not have to worry so much about smoke spoiling grapes in the future. A plan is in the works to protect grapes[Read More…]
Grass growers’ annual ritual of burning seed underway, could last until October
The Oregon Capitol (Salem Reporter archives) SALEM — Plumes of smoke in the Willamette Valley, an annual ritual in Oregon, continue to be the most evident sign of farmers clearing their fields after harvesting grass seed. Growers have burned about 9,200 acres this summer to clear their fields of straw[Read More…]