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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 10, 2017)
2 CapitalPress.com March 10, 2017 Father, sons mesh their talents on farm By BRENNA WIEGAND Left to right, Scott, Duane and Brian Eder at their shop. Eder Brothers Farms grow grass seed and row crops in the Silver- ton, Ore., area. For the Capital Press Duane Eder considers himself a first-generation farmer in a land of third- and fourth-generation farmers. He and his brothers started farm- ing in 1973. “We started out with basi- cally nothing and just built it up,” Eder said. “We did a lot of custom work — combin- ing, trucking, spraying, corn picking — and that gave a cash flow to get the farm start- ed.” The four brothers have since split into their own farms but still work together in many ways. Duane and sons Scott and Brian farm about 700 acres Brenna Wiegand For the Capital Press in the Silverton, Ore., area as Eder Brothers. They have a diversified rotation. Two-thirds of the property is in rye grass and tall fescue seed. These crops are part of a steady rotation of onions, green beans, cauliflower, cu- cumbers for seed, green peas and hazelnuts. “If you grow only one crop and that thing goes south for a while you have all your eggs in one basket,” he said, “and good rotation helps us with a lot of things; weed and disease control, fertility, keeping good organic matter in the soil.” For some crops such as grass seed, with the roots and the sod and the straw a lot of material goes back into the soil, he said. Other crops, such as on- ions, “you take a lot of tonnage off but there’s not much that goes back in the soil. And you do cover crops, usually oats, in winter to hold the soil down and put back in also.” Row-cropping takes more equipment than less diversi- fied operations but the farm’s location makes it worthwhile. “We’re kind of a unique area,” Eder said. “We have no rocks on the valley floor where we farm; the soil is mostly flat. We have Willamette and Ami- ty soils, which drain well and grow good crops. We have sur- face water out of the Pudding River and wells to water with.” Eder and his sons have es- tablished a nice mesh of talents and the farm’s running well, he said. Brian takes care of the crew and most of the crops. Duane grows the cauliflower, onions, does the spraying and oversees the office. Scott manages the shop, fertilizing and some of the planting. “It all overlaps a little bit and we can do each other’s jobs somewhat; it’s a good fit,” Duane Eder said. “The boys do a good job and we really learn from each other. They’re not afraid to take on projects or take over when I’m not there.” With each year “the boys,” all in their early 30s, assume more responsibility and call less and less when Dad’s away. Duane looks forward to a role of just being around to help out where needed. “If I’m away, I don’t have to worry,” he said. “The boys are around, and it’s their turn.” Farming is a good way of life, but there’s no escaping the long hours. “I’ve always enjoyed it but it’s tough when you get mar- ried and have a family because it’s hard on the family, too,” he said. “It’s a good way of life but to get anywhere you’ve got to put in the hours.” TM 2017 MULE SX TM 4X4 WE SPECIALIZE IN BULK BAGS! BAGS: • Seed Bags • Fertilizer Bags • Feed Bags • Potato Bags • Printed Bags • Plain Bags • Bulk Bags • Totes • Woven Polypropylene • Bopp • Polyethylene • Pocket Bags • Roll Stock & More! HAY PRESS SUPPORT: • Hay Sleeves • Strap • Totes • Printed or Plain • Stretch Film (ALL GAUGES) WAREHOUSE PACKAGING: • Stretch Film • Pallet Sheets • Pallet Covers LOCATIONS: Albany, Oregon (MAIN OFFICE) Ellensburg, Washington • 4 STROKE ENGINE • 401CC AIR COOLED • SELECTABLE 2WD/4WD • 1,100 LB. TOWING CAPACITY • 400 LB. CARGO BED CAPACITY • 3YR. LTD. WARRANTY MSRP CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 855-928-3856 Fax: 541-497-6262 info@westernpackaging.com ....................................................... CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUR TOP PRIORITY! Serving Farms & Ranches for 53 Years - 1964-2017 YOUR AUTHORIZED FULL SERVICE DEALER TONS OF ACCESSORIES • EASY FINANCING • FULL SERVICE DEALERSHIP • COMPLETE LINE OF KAWASAKI ATVS 2140 N. Pacific Hwy. 99E • Woodburn, OR • Open 8-6 Tues-Sat. (503) 981-1813 • 800-981-1813 • www.taylormotorcycles.com w w w. w e s t e r n p a c k a g i n g. c o m KAWASAKI CARES: Read Owner’s Manual and all on-product warnings. Always wear protective gear appropriate for the use of this vehicle. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect the environment. The Kawasaki MULE™ side x side is an off- highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped or manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways. Obey the laws and regulations that control the use of your vehicle. ©2016 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. MSRP does not include $590 in destination charges. S17-7/#5 S17-1/#7
