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Central Oregon Agriculture Newsletter
November 18, 2022

Beef Quality Assurance Training at the Oregon Cattlemen's Annual Convention

Join OSU Extension for an afternoon session on Beef Quality Assurance guidelines in Pendleton, Oregon on January 4, 2023, from 1-5:00.
Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers on how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions.
To register go to:  https://orcattle.com/annual-convention-registration/ 

Oregon Seed Growers League Meeting Dec 5-6 in Salem

The Oregon Seed Growers League meets annually in December to discuss matters of technical importance to the Oregon seed industry. More than 400 growers and industry representatives attend the two-day event. 
In addition, a trade show runs concurrently with the education program. More than 50 exhibitors are expected each year. 
View the program here.
Register for the meeting here. Deadline for Pre-registration is November 23rd.
View hotel information here.
Pre-registration is required if you plan to attend the 2-Hour Core Pesticide Block. 

Restoring Oregon's Dry Side Forests Webinars  

Restoration of forests and other ecosystems seems to be the talk of the town these days, but is it really possible to restore ecosystems that have been altered by decades of fire suppression and other management activities, invaded by non-native plant species, and subjected to altered climatic conditions? This OSU Extension webinar series will delve into the complexities of restoration on Oregon’s Dry Side (east of the Cascades), exploring opportunities and acknowledging challenges. Open to landowners, natural resource professionals and contractors, and anyone interested in these complex topics. Continuing education credits available through SAF and AOL. 
 
First and Third Wednesday Evenings, Starting at 6:00 PM
December, 2022 through early April, 2023
 
The Webinars are Free - but Registration is Required
 
Find details on the course website by clicking here, or go directly to the registration site at this link.

Save the Date for Central Oregon Farm Fair  

The 43rd Annual Central Oregon Farm Fair will be held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Madras, OR February 1st and 2nd, 2023
Agenda details coming soon! Check jeffcoseed.com for the latest information.


Exhibitor and Sponsorship Registration is now open! 
To register and pay online, please visit https://co-farm-fair.square.site to reserve your booth or to sponsor the Central Oregon Farm Fair and Trade Show. To view available booths, please view the map at this link: https://beav.es/UVx 

The Central Oregon Farm Fair & Trade Show is sponsored by the Jefferson County Seed Growers and Oregon State University Extension.

Deschutes County Environmental Health Offers Free Private Well Sampling 

 The offering free private well sampling for rural well owners in Deschutes County in hopes to raise awareness of private wells and water safety. For details see the flyer below.

American Society of Animal Science is looking for 2023 interns in Washington, DC 

This internship program seeks to provide experience for undergraduates or graduate students in legislative, regulatory, or administrative science policy activities in Washington, D.C., related to animal science or the production of animal-sourced foods. This experience may enhance the interns' careers.  For more information:  https://www.asas.org/foundation/about-the-asas-foundation/2023-dc-interns

2023 Oregon Hemp Renewal and Application 

All Oregon hemp licenses expire on December 31, 2022. If you have a 2022 license, hemp license renewals were printed and mailed on November 15th.

Because the renewals were mailed later than anticipated by the Hemp Program, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) extended the deadline for this year from December 1st to December 31st.

Some important things to remember are:

For Everyone

  • If you want to continue to be legal in 2023, you must submit your renewal by December 31, 2022. By submitting your renewal by December 31st, you can continue to operate in 2023 until ODA issues your 2023 license. Otherwise, you are not legal to have, process, or sell hemp or hemp commodities until ODA issues your 2023 license.
  • Follow the instructions in the renewal paperwork. Applications that are correctly and fully completed result in licenses sooner than ones that are not complete.
  • Make sure you read any emails from ODA. Not responding will result in a delay at best and denial of your license at worst.

For Growers

  • Regardless of a renewal or a brand-new application, if you want to grow in 2023, you MUST submit your application by May 31st.
  • If you do not own the land that you will be growing on, you must complete a landowner consent form. This form will be part of the grower application.
  • Counties have until January 1st, to declare a state of emergency related to cannabis. We will not know until then if there are any moratorium requirements as required under SB 1564.

For Handlers

  • Rules changed in 2022 and the definition of handler is broader. It now includes anyone processing hemp. This includes secondary processors.
ODA Hemp Website

OSU Seeking Organic Extension Faculty Research Assistant 

The OSU Organic Extension program is pleased to announce a new job opportunity for a Faculty Research Assistant.
  • This grant-funded position has a salary range of $50,000-60,000/year depending on qualifications and experience. 
  • Work closely with OSU’s Organic Extension faculty and support ongoing research and Extension activities.
    • Current projects include cover crops, strawberry production, pasture management, and Organic Extension outreach.
  • A Bachelor of Science degree and three years’ experience with crop production and/or agricultural research, with an interest or focus on sustainable and organic agriculture are required. 
APPLY HERE, applications are due by November 23. Contact nick.andrews@oregonstate.edu (503-913-9410) if you have any questions about the position.

Seed to Table is Hiring! 

Seed to Table (S2T) Oregon is looking to bring on a Sisters Farmers Market Program Manager to join Seed to Table. If you are passionate about connecting with the community, supporting our local food producers and artisans, building community programs, and marketing this fun weekly event, we would love to have you apply! 
The position will dedicate an average of 30 hours weekly from March-October as the Sisters Farmers Market Program Manager (PM). The PM will be responsible for all aspects of coordinating the Sisters Farmers Market program, ensuring that the event supports and builds upon the vision and mission of S2T. Working in partnership with the S2T Executive Director and SFM Committee, the PM will work directly with vendors, sponsors, nonprofits, and entertainers to inspire a positive, community-centered market experience for attendees and vendors. The PM is expected to run the market within the budget and is responsible for on-site management during market season, as well as a number of pre-season and post-season tasks. There is the opportunity for full-time work with Seed to Table if able to work within other program areas such as education or Feeding Families. 
View the position description here.

ASI Offers Developing Shearer Grants 

There is a large and continuing need for sheep shearers across the United States.  The American Sheep Industry Association’s Wool Council has developed a grant program to incentivize the development of domestic shearers.  This grant program will support developing shearers – $500 up front and $1,000 at the conclusion – as they work to increase the quality of their shearing.  Click Here for an application and additional information. The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2023.

Looking for back issues of the CO Ag Newsletter or looking for contact information for one of our Central Oregon Extension Experts? Visit the Central Oregon Ag News website at:  https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/coagnews/

Cattle checking out burlap sample bags. Photo credit: T. Wilson
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