07/31/07 Crop Signs

Crop Signs. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. There have been many times I have looked out the window of the car and wondered what that crop is growing out there in the field. My wife has asked me the same question and since I'm the Ag Guy, you'd think I'd know. But not always the case. Don't laugh. Motorists traveling the highways of Oregon can have a little educational fun in the near future as they learn what types of crops are grown in the state thanks to the crop identification program run by the Agri-Business Council of Oregon. Several of these signs should be up by the end of the summer, according to ABC executive director Geoff Horning. HORNING: Ultimately, we're trying to educate Oregonians- not just urban Oregonians- all Oregonians on the vast diversity of product that is grown in this state. One stretch of highway 281 in Washington State near Wenatchee has crop identification signs and with more than 220 different agricultural commodities in Oregon, don't expect all of them to have signs. But those crops conveniently located along such major thoroughfares as I-5 and I-84 will be clearly identified by name and with artwork depicting the crop. The goal is to have 100 signs placed statewide in the next few months. HORNING: We'd love to get them up this year. There are some crops- Christmas trees- that it will be prime time for. Ultimately, if we can get our signs out and about now so that next spring, when people are ready to have their product shown and it's in season, they are not having to make last minute order. They'll have them ready to go. Farmers who want to participate can purchase a sign and will be responsible for maintaining them. The white signs with green lettering have been popular for years, but a new and improved version will hopefully reach more folks and provide key information about an important Oregon industry. Horning says the crop identification signs are part of a bigger outreach and education plan developed by the Agri-Business Council to educate Oregonians about the industry. HORNING: We're doing things at Ag Fest, at the Oregon State Fair trying to showcase agriculture. We're looking at other opportunities, whether it is paid media or maybe creating our own consumer magazine to spread that message. We're not closing the door on anything at this point in time. Horning says a recent survey of agricultural leaders provided some hope that outreach and education will help Oregonians better embrace the industry: HORNING: The feeling amongst leaders within Oregon agriculture is that Oregonians do care about agriculture in our state. They don't really understand agriculture in our state. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.