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2 CapitalPress.com April 22, 2016 People & Places Ag director a problem solver Derek Sandison learned by listening as he navigated Columbia River issues Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Capital Press Calendar Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Toll free ............................. 800-882-6789 Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff N. California Tim Hearden .................... 530-605-3072 E Idaho John O’Connell ................. 208-421-4347 Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas .......... 208-860-3898 Don Jenkins/Capital Press Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison sits in his office in Olympia. On the job for 10 months, Sandison has brought his problem-solving skills to the department. Western Innovator Derek Sandison Age: 63 Position: Washington State Depart- ment of Agriculture director since June 2015 Previously: Director of the Office of Columbia River within the state Department of Ecology in Wenatchee and before that director of the department’s Central Region office in Yakima Hometown: Port Angeles Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in natural resources management from Central Washington University Sandison was welcomed by Republicans and Demo- crats. The Washington Farm Bureau said Sandison was its top choice for WSDA di- rector. “Derek has done just what we expected him to do,” the Farm Bureau’s gov- ernment relations director, Tom Davis, said. “He has done a great job restoring stability and leadership to WSDA.” Senate Agriculture Com- mittee Chairwoman Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, said Sandison has taken the time to learn from farmers Sponsored by: To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Saturday, April 23 Oregon Ag Fest, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. We strive to bridge the gap between urban and rural life, and to share the wonder and abun- dance of Oregon’s bountiful and diverse harvest. Most important- ly, we do this in a family-friendly way, where kids 12 and under re- ceive free admission, and virtual- ly all activities are free of charge. Oregon State Fairgrounds, Sa- lem. http://oragfest.com/ California FFA State Con- vention, Selland Arena, Fresno. www.calaged.org/stateconven- tion Soil Test Interpretation for Commercial Growers. 4-6 p.m. OSU Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center-Library. Soil scientist Elizabeth Murphy will present strategies and practical approaches to integrate knowl- edge about the chemical, physi- cal, and ecological properties of the soil to refine nutrient man- agement, improve soil health, and maximize production. $20 fee. Pre-class questions and soil test report submittal are encour- aged. 541-776-7371, ext. 208, http://extension.oregonstate. edu/sorec/small-farms-2016- classes Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate officer John Perry Chief operating officer By DON JENKINS OLYMPIA — Prior to becoming Washington’s ag- riculture director 10 months ago, Derek Sandison was immersed in the West’s water war and somehow emerged a popular man. He led the Office of Co- lumbia River within the Washington Department of Ecology for more than six years. The state set up the office to unite factions fighting over water in East- ern Washington. Sandison set out to do what science says can’t be done — create water. Plans to wring more wa- ter from Washington’s dry side are complex and expen- sive. They will take years to execute and aren’t univer- sally supported. There are wild cards, too. Political support for major undertak- ings rise and fall. Until the U.S. and Canada negotiate a new treaty to manage the mighty Columbia River, the outlook past 2024 won’t be clear. Nevertheless, Washing- ton state now has blueprints to increase water supplies for farms, fish and cities. Sandison’s handling of this whirlpool of policy and politics was such that he was a popular choice to lead a Department of Agriculture in disarray. Rancher and former Okanogan County Commis- sioner Bud Hover was di- rector for two years before the Senate summoned him for a confirmation hearing, a bad omen. Even without confirmation, gubernatorial appointees serve unless the Senate votes to reject them. Hover resigned, and a sen- ator described the depart- ment as a “mess.” Sandison, 63, didn’t fit the normal agriculture di- rector profile. He is not a farmer or a past or aspir- ing office holder. He hadn’t worked at WSDA. He had been at Ecology for 14 years. But he had earned a rep- utation as a listener and problem solver. He also was not a regulator. He spent his DOE career in Eastern Washington trying to do water projects. “I had to get permits from the Depart- ment of Ecology,” he said. Capital Press Sunday, April 24 Oregon Ag Fest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. We strive to bridge the gap between urban and rural life, and to share the wonder and abun- dance of Oregon’s bountiful and diverse harvest. Most important- ly, we do this in a family-friendly way, where kids 12 and under receive free admission, and virtually all activities are free of charge. Oregon State Fair- grounds, Salem. http://oragfest. com/ California FFA State Conven- tion, Selland Arena, Fresno. www. calaged.org/stateconvention Monday, April 25 California FFA State Conven- tion, Selland Arena, Fresno. www. calaged.org/stateconvention Tuesday, April 26 California FFA State Conven- tion, Selland Arena, Fresno. www. calaged.org/stateconvention Wednesday, April 27 Oregon Orchardgrass Seed Producers Commission meeting, 7:30 a.m., Elmer’s restaurant, 2802 Santiam Highway SE, Albany, Ore., 503-924-1181, www.orchardgrass. org Saturday, April 30 Incredible Edibles Plant Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Westminster Pres- byterian Church, Portland. Mult- nomah County master gardeners. From seedlings to supper, grow your own. Cost: Free. and ranchers. “He’s willing to listen to issues other people have, and he’s put people in place in his department who fol- low through on these is- sues,” she said. “I feel like he’s doing a great job. He understands the water issue, which in the state of Wash- ington is critical for our farmers.” Sandison says that “mess” might be overstat- ing what he walked into. But he did reshuffle admin- istrators, to get people in the right place, he said. “There was certainly tur- moil. You could see it on people’s faces,” Sandison said. Sandison also moved to connect with producer groups. “It is notable that he is open and accessible,” Davis said. The Legislature keeps Sandison in Olympia when it’s in session. At other times, Sandison estimates he spends at least half of his time traveling around the state. In the short time he’s been director, Sandison has dealt with, among oth- er issues, drought, bird flu, apple maggots and gypsy moths. “When a crisis arises, it’s too late to do relationship building,” he said. Sandison said he’s learned that producers have the sensation of being under siege. “I hear that all over the state,” Sandison said. “They feel like they’re under at- tack.” Sandison’s office is not far from where a What’s Upstream billboard was put up to promote stricter laws on agriculture. The now-removed bill- board, part of a campaign funded by the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency, asserted that agriculture is unregulated, a proposition that Sandison said must seem “laughable” to farmers. But Sandison said he was also struck by how, in his view, counterproductive the billboard was to the interests of the groups that put it up. “If the motive was to solve problems, that’s one helluva way to go about it,” he said. “You want to foster collaboration and commu- nication. You don’t want to inflame a situation. “I’m disappointed it was done with taxpayer fund- ing.” When Gov. Jay Inslee picked Sandison last year, the Senate quickly held a hearing and confirmed Sandison’s appointment. Sandison said he plans to stay as long as the governor allows it and as long as he’s solving problems. “My inclination is, if I see a problem, I want to deal with it,” he said. “For the foreseeable future, I’m good.” GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE 20 Northwest Locations Thursday, May 5 2016 Animal Agriculture Alli- ance Stakeholders Summit, 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, Va. www.animalagalli- ance.org/summit Friday, May 6 18th Annual Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Silverado Resort & Spa, 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, Calif. This is the only fundraising event in Napa Valley exclusively dedicated to the needs of migrant farmworkers. 707-227- 2641 2016 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, 7 a.m.-noon. Westin Arlington Gateway, Arling- ton, Va. www.animalagalliance.org/ summit Sunday, May 22 Sunday, May 29 Monday, May 23 Alpaca Shearing Day & Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas of Ore- gon, 21345 SW Aebischer Road, Sherwood, Ore. Visitors can chat with four long-time livestock breeders who’ve raised llamas, horses, sheep, and goats. 503- 348-6954 Oregon Cattlemen’s Associa- tion’s Midyear 2016, 1-9 p.m., Sun- river Resort, 17600 Center Drive, Sunriver, Ore. The event will host Ethan Lane, executive director of the Public Lands Council. www.or- cattle.com Oregon Cattlemen’s Associa- tion’s Midyear 2016, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunriver Resort, 17600 Center Drive, Sunriver, Ore. The event will host Ethan Lane, executive director of the Public Lands Council. www. orcattle.com Tuesday, May 24 Western States Dorper Associ- ation Show and Sale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Chico State University Farm, 311 Nicholas C. Schoute Lane, Chico, Calif. Cost: Free http://wsdorpers. com/2016_wsda_show_and_sale_ info Saturday, June 4 Washington FFA Convention, Washington State University, Pullman Oregon Cattlemen’s Associa- tion’s Midyear 2016, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunriver Resort, 17600 Center Drive, Sunriver, Ore. The event will host Ethan Lane, executive director of the Public Lands Council. www. orcattle.com Friday, May 13 Saturday, May 28 AOSA SCST Joint Annual Meet- ing, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Embassy Suites, Airport Way, Portland. http://www. seedtechnology.net/ Thursday, May 12 Washington FFA Convention, Washington State University, Pull- man Saturday, May 14 Washington FFA Convention, Washington State University, Pull- man Washington FFA Convention Saturday, May 21 2016 Goat Academy, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. A full day of classes followed by an auction on May 22. Camping available. Half Creek Farm, Gold- endale, Wash. www.columbiabasin- goatguild.org Alpaca Shearing Day & Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas of Ore- gon, 21345 SW Aebischer Road, Sherwood, Ore. Visitors can chat with four long-time livestock breeders who’ve raised llamas, horses, sheep, and goats. 503- 348-6954 Western States Dorper Associ- ation Show and Sale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Chico State University Farm, 311 Nicholas C. Schoute Lane, Chico, Calif. Cost: Free http://wsdorpers. com/2016_wsda_show_and_sale_ info AOSA SCST Joint Annual Meeting, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Embas- sy Suites, Airport Way, Portland. http://www.seedtechnology.net/ Sunday, June 5 Monday, June 6 AOSA SCST Joint Annual Meet- ing, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Embassy Suites, Airport Way, Portland. http://www. seedtechnology.net/ Tuesday, June 7 AOSA SCST Joint Annual Meet- ing, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Embassy Suites, Airport Way, Portland. http://www. seedtechnology.net/ Boise Sean Ellis .......................... 208-914-8264 Central Washington Dan Wheat ........................ 509-699-9099 E Washington Matthew Weaver .............. 509-688-9923 Oregon Eric Mortenson ................ 503-412-8846 Mateusz Perkowski .......... 800-882-6789 Graphic artist Alan Kenaga ..................... 800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads Ad fax .............................. 503-364-2692 or ...................................... 503-370-4383 Telephone (toll free) .......... 866-435-2965 Online ......www.capitalpress.com/classifieds Subscriptions Mail rates paid in advance Easy Pay U.S. $3.75/month (direct with- drawal from bank or credit card account) 1 year U.S. ...................................$49.99 2 years U.S. .................................$89.99 1 year Canada .................................$275 1 year other countries ......... call for quote 1 year Internet only .......................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com www.AgDirectoryWest.com www.OnlyAg.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller www.facebook.com/onlyAGdotcom twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo www.blogriculture.com Index California ................................ 8 Dairy .................................... 15 Idaho .................................... 10 Livestock ............................. 15 Markets ............................... 16 Opinion .................................. 6 Oregon .................................. 9 Washington ..........................11 Correction policy Accuracy is important to Capital Press staff and to our readers. If you see a misstatement, omission or factual error in a headline, story or photo caption, please call the Capital Press news department at 503-364-4431, or send email to newsroom@capitalpress.com. We want to publish corrections to set the record straight.