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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2018)
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Obituary 17 Superheated steam is weed killer Paul Joseph Edgerton August 10, 1937 — July 29, 2018 By George Plaven A wonderful, gentle soul gently soared to heaven. Paul Joseph Edgerton passed away July 29, 2018. He was born to Charles and Helen Hartwig Edgerton August 10, 1937, in Florence, Arizona. Paul gradu- ated from North Phoenix High School, received his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from University of Arizona and did extensive graduate work at the University of Idaho, where he met his future wife, Susan Cox. Paul and Sue married in September of 1960 and began their life adventure. Paul worked as a research ecologist for the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service in La Grande and directed research at the Forestry Sciences Lab in Wenatchee, Washington. He also worked as the Ecologist for Region 9 of the U.S. Forest Service, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Paul and Sue spent many years back packing and river rafting with their family, especially when they lived in La Grande. After retire- ment, they enjoyed trav- eling and visiting several countries. They especially enjoyed visiting Mexico and also spending a few winter months in Arizona. He and Sue retired to Friday Harbor, Washington, where he became an orchardist and master gar- dener, and sold fruit, veg- etables and flowers at the San Juan Island Farmers’ Market for 10 years. They moved to Sisters in 2002, and Paul soon became one of the first tour leaders for the Deschutes Land Trust, teaching many people about the ecology of plants and animals of our region as Capital Prgss well as his love for nature. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Land Trust in 2017. There is a bench in his honor at the Metolius Preserve. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and their four children: Patricia Carrell (Gerald) of MapleValley, Wa s h i n g t o n ; D a v i d Edgerton (Terrence Wagner) of Seattle, Washington; Michael Edgerton (Jenny) of Bend; and Kelly Richards (Dan) of Bothell, Washington. Also surviv- ing him are seven beloved grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was extremely proud of all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Dorothy Simms, and his niece, Lorrie Simms. Paul was loved by his family and admired in his field of Wildlife Biology and Ecology and forest suc- cession after fire. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date: donations to the Deschutes Land Trust can be made in his memory. Smile, Sisters! We’re committed to your dental health! h e a l t h ! Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics For Your Family! Trevor Frideres d.m.d. p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters Hours: Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. SALEM (AP) — The Steam Weeder looks like an old-time vacuum cleaner and sounds like an espresso machine, with a long hose and nozzle attached to a trac- tor-mounted boiler heating steam to 250 degrees. Erik Augerson, a gradu- ate research assistant for Oregon State University, demonstrated how the tech- nology works July 18 during Blueberry Field Day at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, steam- ing along rows of blueberries to control field bindweed. As a weed management tool, Augerson said the Steam Weeder shows prom- ise, especially for organic growers. Superheated steam kills weeds by bursting plant cells, without damaging mulch or other farm infra- structure, as flame weeding does. Augerson, who is earn- ing his master’s degree from OSU in horticulture, is part of a research project trying to develop a season-long organic weed management program for small berry growers, combining steam with other mechanical treat- ments and certified organic sprays. “The organic berry indus- try in Oregon is having a lot of trouble determining what the best and most cost-effec- tive form of weed manage- ment is for their systems,” Augerson told the Capital Press. “We’re just trying to increase the growers’ toolbox.” The project is supported by a $500,000 grant from the Organic Transitions Program through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Additional funding comes from the OSU Agriculture Research Foundation and Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research. The Steam Weeder is man- ufactured by Weedtechnics, a company based near Sydney, Australia. Jeremy Winer, managing director of Weedtechnics, was also on hand at the field day to meet with growers and answer questions about the product, which sprays at a rate of 2.5 gallons per minute and pen- etrates 1 inch deep into the ground. “It’s not actually boiling, but it’s superheated,” Winer explained. “It explodes the (weed) cells.” Augerson said OSU pur- chased the Steam Weeder over the winter and began field trials about a month and a half ago. While they are still collecting data, he said the technology could be a solid option for organic growers — depending on the cost analysis. “We know that it can kill weeds, and that it works from a management standpoint,” Augerson said. “I think it has a lot of promise. We know that it can kill weeds, and that it works from a management standpoint. I think it has a lot of promise. — Erik Augerson Depending on the size and model, Steam Weeders can cost between $16,000 and $30,000, a steep price tag for small growers. But Augerson said the value lies in decreased need for man- ual labor controlling weeds, allowing farms to put their workers to better use. “There is a lack of farm labor, and it is decreasing,” Augerson said. “We want to make it so farmers can uti- lize their labor in different ways.” Augerson said they will need at least two years of data before they can start writing a comprehensive, full-season weed management program for organic berries. Schedule online! Sarah Conroy, Chiropractor TAKE CARE OF O F YOURSELF Call a 541-588-2213 5 588 3 392 E. Main Ave. SistersChiropractor.com Located within Bigfoot Wellness Shena Fields LMT#7439 Harmony Tracy LMT# 21211 Holistic Mental Health Solutions Medication Management Counseling • Functional Medicine Audry Van Houweling PMHNP-BC Quick and Affordable Help 541-595-8337 • www.shesoarspsych.com 102 E. Main Ave., Downtown Sisters Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sisters Recycling Center 328 W. Sisters Park Dr.
