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2 CapitalPress.com November 3, 2017 People & Places Giving canola farmers a voice Karen Sowers leads efforts to launch regional association Capital Press Western Innovator Karen Sowers Age: 49 Title: Extension and out- reach specialist in oilseeds, Washington State University Hometown: Manhattan, Kan. Current location: Richland, Wash. Karen Sowers of Richland, Wash., is spearheading the launch of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association. “It’s a voice at the local, state, national and regional level.” The association will be able to lobby for important things such as herbicide regu- lations or crop insurance, and seek more research funding, Sowers said. Farm background Sowers’ father was a plant pathologist for the USDA Ag- ricultural Research Service in Manhattan, Kan. She worked on a wheat and sorghum farm her junior year in high school. She knew from an early age she wanted to work with farmers. “They’re down-to-earth people,” she said. “It sounds cliche, but they’re working for the rest of us. Just good people.” Sowers moved to Wash- ington 10 years ago. Bill Pan, her major professor at WSU, called her about the opportu- nity to join the Washington Oilseed Cropping Systems project. Learning curve Sowers remembered see- ing some yellow fields in 1990, but had very little ex- perience with canola or other oilseeds. “The learning curve was steep, and does not ever end, but that’s also a very neat thing about working with farmers,” she said. “There’s not a time I go and visit with a farmer where I don’t learn something from them. I’m hoping it goes both ways.” “People trust her,” said Ralston, Wash., farmer Cur- tis Hennings. “She’s sharp, friendly and extremely help- ful.” Hennings was involved in a previous canola association, but says the newest effort will be more active and include an executive director. An associ- ation tends to have more clout when meeting with legislators and lawmakers, Hennings said. Anna Scharf, a U.S. Cano- la Association board member and president of the Willa- mette Valley Oilseed Produc- ers Association, said Sowers has been “instrumental” in revitalizing the association. Willamette Valley growers rely on Sowers’ work, she said. “She’s always looking for opportunities for how we can make canola bigger, better, stronger, faster and econom- ically, where’s the value for the farmers in the growth of the crop,” Scharf said. Capital Press INDIANAPOLIS — Breanna Holbert, an agricultural education major at California State Universi- ty-Chico, was elected national presi- dent of FFA during the weekend. Holbert is the first female African American elected president of the national FFA, which represents more than 650,000 students across the U.S. and its territories. Erica Baier, an agricultural educa- tion major at Iowa State University, was elected national secretary. Piper Merritt, an agricultural eco- nomics major at Oklahoma State University, was elected central re- gion vice president. Bryce Cluff, an agricultural tech- nology and management education major at the University of Arizona, will serve as western region vice president. Ian Bennett, majoring in agri- science and environmental systems, plant breeding and genetics at the University of Georgia, was elected southern region vice president. Gracie Furnish, a career and tech- nical education major at the Univer- sity of Kentucky, will serve as east- ern region vice president. Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to repre- sent the organization as national officers. Delegates elect a presi- dent, secretary and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country. National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each officer travels Monday-Tuesday Nov. 6-7 Washington Dairy Conference & Trade Show. Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St., Yakima, Wash. Annual meeting activities, plus time to catch up with fellow produc- ers, sponsors and exhibitors. The Dairy Women will host their scholar- ship auction. Both the Dairy Federa- tion and the Dairy Women will hold annual membership meetings. The Dairy Farmers of Washington will hold Family: Married, one daugh- ter, one son Website: http://css.wsu.edu/ oilseeds/ Sowers believes depressed wheat markets and research and education efforts have meant more canola acres. She points to processing plants in Warden, Wash., and Rickreall, Ore., and the recent groundbreaking for a new facility in Great Falls, Mont., as positive signs. The companies are set up for more acres than currently exist, she said. “The infrastructure is here, we’re not doing a chicken be- fore the egg thing,” she said, calling demand “insatiable.” “I think canola is here to stay,” she said. FFA announces 2017 ag proficiency winners INDIANAPOLIS — Winners of the 2017 National Agricultural Profi- ciency Awards were announced Oct. 27 during the sixth general session at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo. Awards were given in 47 cate- gories. Following are the winners from Western states: FFA The new national FFA officers take the stage at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. National President Breanna Holbert National Secretary Erica Baier West Vice President Bryce Cluff more than 100,000 miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, gov- ernment and education officials, state FFA leaders and the public. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training con- ferences for FFA members through- out the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy. 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 or emailed to newsroom@capital- press.com. Education: Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, soil and water conservation at Kansas State University; master’s degree in soil science, Washington State University Matthew Weaver/Capital Press Californian named new FFA national president Calendar Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Mike Omeg Corporate Officer Heidi Wright Chief Operating Officer By MATTHEW WEAVER RICHLAND, Wash. — Every time Karen Sowers drives to Pullman from the Tri-Cities and sees the same fields planted in wheat, she wishes she could talk to the farmers about the benefits of raising canola. An Washington State Uni- versity Extension and out- reach specialist in oilseeds, Sowers wants to make cano- la a staple for growers, not something they just think about when wheat prices are down. Using canola as a possible rotation crop helps farmers deal with residual herbicides, weeds, improves water filtra- tion and breaks up disease cy- cles, she said. Sowers is also leading the charge to launch the Pacific Northwest Canola Associa- tion. Nominations for produc- er-members on the board of directors closed Oct. 27. A ballot with all nominees will be mailed to farmers in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana. Once produc- er-members are elected, the association will elect offi- cers and communicate with the rest of the industry about membership, monetary sup- port and possible board seats. Sowers hopes to make the association a reality soon. “I’d love to see it happen by the end of the year and then continue to grow,” she said. Capital Press their board meeting. Website: http:// wastatedairy.com/ Wednesday, Nov. 8 Sustainable Community Stew- ards Volunteer Training. 6-9:15 p.m. McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, Wash. Cost: $30 Website: http://extension.wsu.edu/ snohomish/wp-content/uploads/ sites/7/2012/11/2017-SCS-Applica- tion-form.doc Tuesday, Nov. 7 Sage Grouse Public Meeting. 5-8 p.m. Harney County Commu- nity Center, 484 N Broadway Ave., Burns, Ore. The Bureau of Land Management will host a public meeting to solicit comments and provide information on greater sage grouse land management issues. The meeting will begin with an over- East Vice President Gracie Furnish Central Vice President Piper Merritt South Vice President Ian Bennett The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 653,359 stu- dent members who belong to one of 8,568 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also support- ed by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 alumni chapters throughout the U.S. • Diversified Horticulture, Entrepreneurship/Placement: Jimmy Joey Reyes of the Dayton FFA chapter in Oregon works on his family’s 15.8-acre container and bare root nursery operation and landscape maintenance company. As a child, he would go with his father to help mow lawns and prune landscapes. He began in the nursery as a general field worker, tasked with weeding, irrigating and transplanting plants. He is now the assistant manager. Jimmy plans to pursue a degree in horticulture and agriculture business management. He is supported by his parents, Victoria and Rufino, and his FFA advisor, Mitch Coleman. This award is sponsored by the Toro Co. and Wilbur-Ellis Co. • Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Entre- preneurship/Placement: Margaret Mackin of the Rigby FFA Chapter in Idaho works for a family business, consulting with landowners and developers, including ranchers and other agricultural producers, to comply with government regulations, particularly those of the Environmental Protection Agency. She helps clients avoid wetland violations, defend against allegations and more. Margaret hopes to study finance in college and become a financial advisor. She is supported by her parents, Susan and William, and her FFA advisors, Robert Hale, Holly Fullmer and Lex Godfrey. This award is sponsored by CHS. • Grain Production, Placement: Joel Baltazar Mendoza of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter in California has a supervised agri- cultural experience that includes rice field preparation, planting trials, collecting field data and harvesting the crop. Starting his freshman year, he began working with his father as a rice researcher. Starting with simpler tasks, Joel eventually learned to spray, irrigate, clean and dry seed, ship and harvest. He hopes to major in plant science at California State University at Chico. He is supported by his parents, Lorena and Baltazar, and his FFA advisors, Janice Lohse and Ryan Bentz. This award is sponsored by BASF. • Veterinary Science, Entrepreneurship/Placement: Katrina Siems of the Morro Bay FFA Chapter in California works for Los Osos Pet Hospital as a kennel technician. Growing up in a household with several pets, she was drawn to the veterinar- ian. She feeds boarding animals, walks the dogs, and cleans up after closing. She eventually took on the responsibilities of holding dogs for blood draws and giving insulin shots. Katrina plans to attend the University of California-Davis to study animal science with the goal of eventually becoming a veterinarian. She is supported by her parents, Alice and Chris, and her FFA advisor, Peggy Flynn. This award is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Blue Buffalo and Tractor Supply Co. GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE www.oxarc.com view followed by an open house. Participants will be encouraged to speak with BLM staff on various topics related to the greater sage grouse. In addition to comments on the issues and planning criteria, the BLM would like to receive com- ments on whether the planning ef- fort should occur through state-by- state amendment processes and decisions. Participants will have the opportunity to provide written comments during the meeting, on- line at: http://bit/ly/GRSGplanning. Comments can also be submitted via email at: BLM_sagegrouseplan- ning@blm.gov Wednesday, Nov. 8 Sustainable Community Stew- ards Volunteer Training. 6-9:15 p.m. McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, Wash. Cost: $30 20 Northwest Locations 1-800-765-9055 Website: http://extension.wsu.edu/ snohomish/wp-content/uploads/ sites/7/2012/11/2017-SCS-Applica- tion-form.doc and CPR and drone demonstrations. Website: http://www.washingtonag- network.com/pnw-agie/ Wednesday-Thursday Nov. 8-9 Central Oregon Ag Seminar. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Pronghorn Resort, 65600 Pronghorn Club Drive, Bend, Ore. Join friends and colleagues in Central Oregon at the annual ag seminar in the Bend area presented by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt; Harvest Capital; and Geffen Mesher. Topics Include Organizing Your Agri-Business; Organizing Your Finances and Financial Statements; Water Rights: Knowing What You Have and Making the Most of Them; Organizing Your Affairs: Estate Plan- ning for Farms and Ranches; and Organizing for Tax Effects: Entity Selection and Dissolution. Website: RSVP at http://bit.ly/2y92rtc United Dairymen of Idaho-Dairy West Annual Meeting. Boise Center, 850 W. Front St., Boise, Idaho. This year’s theme is “Pioneers by Nature” and includes an expo, Milk Quality Awards banquet, presentations and the Dairy Hall of Fame banquet. Website: http://idahodairy.com/annu- al-meeting/ Pacific Northwest Ag Industry Expo (AGIE). 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednes- day and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday. TRAC Center, 6600 Burden Blvd., Pasco, Wash. The expo includes a trade show, classes on pesticide use Friday, Nov. 10 Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................Editor & Publisher Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Jessica Boone ........ Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2017 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. 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