Ag Board Vacancies & Getting to Work

Ag Board Vacancies & Getting to Work plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Work is set to begin this week on the House version of the farm bill and with support from Speaker of the House, John Boehner, House Ag Chair Frank Lucas is optimistic.

LUCAS: I think as the members have started to focus on the farm bill, as members have come to understand the true nature of the reform that they’re really warming up. And as the Speaker quite adequately said, if we don’t pass this bill we don’t make the reforms in both the food stamp side of the bill and in the commodity title. The only way we make reforms are if we pass the bill. And the way the sections of the farm bill were put together long before I got here, essentially the food stamp programs go on, the commodity titles expire and you back to the ’49 law which is unworkable.

The state of Oregon is looking to fill a couple of open position on the State Board of Agriculture. Positions to be filled include a public member and an agricultural producer. The State Board of Agriculture advises the Oregon Department of Agriculture about programs, policies, and issues affecting the industry. The 10-member board meets quarterly. There is no set deadline for applications but the current terms expire September 5th.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

Yippee! The kids are out of school and it’s time to start planning that family vacation. Even with the high cost of gas it’s expected that thousands of families will be headed for vacation destinations this year. And what do families bring back with them from their summer holiday besides a sunburn, why souvenirs of course. And often, without even realizing it, they bring unwanted visitors back home with them as well. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service urges summer travelers to “join the fight against invasive pests by not packing a pest”. Invasive insect species can hitch a ride on fresh produce, plants, processed foods, and hand crafted items. These unwanted hitchhikers can then become established in states where they can ultimately destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars in eradication efforts. That’s why Customs and Border Protection officers stop road weary vacationers to inspect baggage and vehicles. They’re not out to ruin your vacation memories, they’re just working to safeguard the nation's agriculture, fishing and forestry industries. So instead of giving them a hard time, give them a hand. “Don’t pack a pest”.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.