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CapitalPress.com
January 5, 2018
People & Places
Bacteria enlisted to battle cheatgrass
Matt Germino
researches
unique means of
controlling weeds
Western
Innovator
By DIANNA TROYER
For the Capital Press
Matt Germino, supervi-
sory research ecologist with
the U.S. Geological Survey in
Boise, is overseeing an inno-
vative research project to use
weed-suppressive bacteria to
control non-native invasive
cheatgrass and medusahead.
“We’re seeing some inter-
esting activity so far,” says
Germino, referring to plant
growth on 84 small research
plots in southwestern Idaho.
The three-year study began in
the late summer of 2016.
The plots are in three ar-
eas that were selected be-
cause annuals and perennials
co-dominate. The areas are
north of Eagle, on Bureau of
Land Management land in
the Snake River Plain, and on
state land in the Owyhees.
“Applying bacteria isn’t a
magic bullet but one of sever-
al tools that could be used to
help restore land with native
vegetation,” he says. “A sys-
temic approach is the ticket.
We need to combine what we
learn from this research with
grazing patterns and protect-
ing the vigor of desirable na-
tive species.”
The study focuses on ap-
plying certain bacteria to
Established 1928
Board of directors
Mike Forrester
Steve Forrester
Kathryn Brown
Susan Rana
Mike Omeg
Corporate Officer
Heidi Wright
Chief Operating Officer
Capital Press Managers
Joe Beach ..................Editor & Publisher
Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director
Matt Germino
Jessica Boone ........ Production Manager
Occupation: Supervisory
research ecologist, U.S.
Geological Survey since
2011
Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager
Education: B.S. in environ-
mental science, University
of Massachusetts; M.S. and
Ph.D. in botany, University of
Wyoming
Hometown: Longmeadow,
Mass.
Family: Wife, two children
Courtesy of Francis Kilkenny
Matt Germino, a research ecologist, is overseeing a study in southwestern Idaho that uses bacteria to
help control cheatgrass.
cheatgrass and medusahead to
inhibit the plants’ root growth.
Two strains of Pseudomo-
nas fluorescens bacterium,
named D-7 and MB-906, are
being used because they can
be applied in areas where pe-
rennial grasses and non-na-
tive grasses both grow. Other
strains of the diverse bacteria
have also been used success-
fully to clean oil spills in
groundwater.
To learn how to best use the
D-7 and MB-906, researchers
are doing controlled burns,
then applying bacterium with
and without herbicides that
kill non-native grasses, and
with and without tillage.
The bacteria were also used
in the aftermath of the 2015
Soda Fire in Owyhee Coun-
ty and fires in 2016 in hopes
of giving perennial grasses a
chance to grow without com-
petition from cheatgrass.
“This may be one way to
help restore burned areas to
prevent the spread of exotic
annuals,” says Germino. “We
want to give desirable species
a chance to fill the void.”
Capital Press
AAW
From left to right are AAW President Doris Mold with recipients
of the Ag Day 365 campaign awards: Arwen McGilvra of Oregon,
Lynn Woolf of Kansas, Krystal Doolittle of Iowa and Kristi Miller of
Oregon. Also receiving the award was Mallory Phelan of Oregon.
The “Ag Day is Every Day”
campaign, or #AgDay365, is
inspired by and builds on the
important connections made
between the public and farm
and ranch producers on Nation-
al Ag Day, which is celebrated
in March and organized by the
Agriculture Council of Ameri-
ca.
McGilvra was also honored
with the organization’s presi-
dent’s award along with Lynn
Woolf of Kansas. President
Doris Mold, of Minnesota, re-
marked on the great amount
of work McGilvra and Woolf
did for the all-volunteer orga-
nization during the year, and
thanked them for being “the
wind beneath her wings,”
according to an organization
press release.
American Agri-Women
is the nation’s largest co-
alition of farm, ranch and
agri-business women. Amer-
ican Agri-Women began in
Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor
Age: 47
The $250,000 study is
funded by several agencies.
Along with a $75,000 Conser-
vation Innovation Grant, ad-
ministered through the Natural
Resources Conservation Ser-
vice, other agencies contribut-
ing include the Bureau of Land
Management, Idaho Depart-
ment of Fish and Game, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and
the Idaho Governor’s Office of
Species Conservation.
“We plan on applying for
additional funding for the fi-
nal two years of the project,”
says Germino. “We’d like to
study this through 2020.”
Oregon Women for Agriculture honored at AAW convention
Oregon Women for Agri-
culture brought home several
prestigious awards from the
recent American Agri-Women
convention in Minneapolis.
The Oregon organization
was honored with first place
for having the most new
members and second place
for the most members overall.
In addition, three members
of the Oregon affiliate — Kristi
Miller, Mallory Phelan and Ar-
wen McGilvra — were honored
for their part in the Ag Day 365
campaign, a yearlong advocacy
initiative started by American
Agri-Women during the 2016
National Convention and for-
mally kicked off at National Ag
Day in Washington, D.C.
Capital Press
1974 with members of Ore-
gon Women for Agriculture
and women from three other
states joining together to cre-
ate a national organization to
represent women involved in
agriculture and agri-business.
American Agri-Women
promotes national security
through a safe and reliable
food, fiber and mineral sup-
ply. AAW members have
worked together to educate
consumers, advocate for ag-
riculture and offer networking
and professional develop-
ment opportunities. For more
information or to join, visit
AmericanAgriWomen.org.
Find AAW on social media at:
facebook.com/AgriWomen
and twitter.com/Women4Ag.
Entire contents copyright © 2018
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mit an Event.” Calendar items can
also be mailed to Capital Press,
1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR
97301 or emailed to newsroom@
capitalpress.com. Write “Calendar”
in the subject line.
Friday-Wednesday
Jan. 5-10
2018 American Farm Bureau
Federation Convention and IDE-
Ag Trade Show. Gaylord Opryland
Resort and Convention Center,
2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville,
Tenn. CExplore the IDEAg Trade
Show floor to gain a stronger in-
dustry network, shop featured
products, learn about innovative
technologies, and enjoy talks on
the Cultivation Center stage. Web-
site: http://bit.ly/2iJS9t3
Monday, Jan. 8
Permaculture Design Certif-
icate. Online and instructor-led,
the 10-week Permaculture Design
Certificate offered by Professional
and Continuing Education at Ore-
gon State University arms partici-
pants with the knowledge needed
to successfully employ permacul-
ture philosophies and techniques.
This online course runs Jan.
8-March 19 with registration open
until Jan. 14. Cost: $740 (plus
$60 registration fee) Website:
https://http://bit.ly/2it7Sxm
Tuesday, Jan. 9
Idaho Alfalfa and Clover Seed
Growers Association annual meet-
ing. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Caldwell Elks
Lodge, 1015 N Kimball Ave., Cald-
well, Idaho. Growers from around
the region will attend this annual
meeting.
Tuesday-Wednesday
Jan. 9-10
Eastern Washington Ag Expo. 9
a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday. Trac Center, 6600 Bur-
den Blvd., Pasco, Wash. The expo
features exhibitors, pesticide class-
es, livestock handling demonstra-
tions, precision ag and the second
annual Cattlemen’s Connection.
Website: www.easternwaagexpo.
com
Cropping Systems Conference.
7:30 a.m. Three Rivers Convention
Center, 7016 W Grandridge Blvd.,
Kennewick, Wash. The Conference
is sponsored by the Pacific North-
west Direct Seed Association, but it’s
not just for direct seeders. Besides
a robust selection of presentations, it
also offers six educational tracks and
a trade show. Website: www.direct-
seed.org/events/annual-conference
Tuesday-Thursday
Jan. 9-11
N. Willamette Horticulture Society
Conference and Trade Show. 8 a.m.-
4:15 p.m. Clackamas County Event
Center, 694 NE Fourth Ave., Canby,
Ore. This year’s conference will in-
clude a vegetable crops section on
Jan. 9, an organic section in Jan. 10
and a berry section on Jan. 11. Web-
site: http://nwhortsoc.com
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Developing or Expanding Your
Farm Stand or Agritourism Operation,
Part 3. 5-8 p.m. OSU Extension Au-
ditorium, SOREC, 569 Hanley Road,
Central Point, Ore. Are you interested
in developing or expanding a farm
stand or agritourism operation? Jan.
10 is Accepting Food Stamps/SNAP/
EBT at a Farm Stand or CSA and
Feb. 6 is Starting a Farm Stand/Agri-
tourism Operation. Website: http://bit.
ly/JacksonSmallFarms
Wednesday-Friday
Jan. 10-12
Potato Expo 2018, 7:30 a.m.-9
p.m. Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Uni-
versal Blvd., Orlando, Florida. Over
the last 10 years, the Potato Expo
has gained the reputation as the best
setting for conducting business and
getting caught up on industry issues.
Website: potato-expo.com
Thursday, Jan. 11
Idaho Irrigation Equipment Show
& Conference. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Keefer’s
Island at Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Blvd.,
Idaho Falls, Idaho. There will be a
GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE
www.oxarc.com
trade show with more than 55 ven-
dors displaying the latest in irrigation
equipment for agriculture, commer-
cial, municipal and residential use.
There will also be helpful classes.
The event is free and no registration
is required. Website: http://idahoirri-
gationequipmentassociation.org/
Thursday-Friday
Jan. 11-12
Oregon Essential Oil Growers
League Annual Conference. Salis-
han Lodge, 7760 US-101, Gleneden
Beach, Ore. Featuring industry up-
dates. Website: oregonmint.org
Monday, Jan. 15
Sheep Producer Workshop. Et-
chamendy Sheep Company, 24394
Highway 46, Wasco, Calif. The Cal-
ifornia Wool Growers Association is
hosting four interactive workshops
focusing on improving lamb market-
ing and quality as well as producer
profitability by applying innovative
management practices and technol-
ogies. To register contact the CWGA
office at info@woolgrowers.org or
(916) 444-8122.
Tuesday, Jan. 16
Sheep Producer Workshop.
Emigh Livestock, 2838 Goose Ha-
ven Road, Suisun City, Calif. Cali-
fornia Wool Growers Association is
hosting four interactive workshops
focusing on improving lamb market-
ing and quality as well as producer
profitability by applying innovative
management practices and tech-
nologies. To register contact the
CWGA office at info@woolgrowers.
org or (916) 444-8122.
Soil Health Workshop with
Brendon Rockey & Steve Kenyon.
8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Gathering Place,
510 South Main, Three Forks,
Mont. We have a number of great
presenters lined up throughout the
week that will share their own ex-
periences in building and maintain-
ing soil health. Cost: $20. Website:
http://bit.ly/2zGUuZC
Woodland
Rice
Grower
Meeting. 1:30-5 p.m. Cracchi-
olo’s Market, 1320 E. Main St.,
Woodland, Calif. Website: http://
20 Northwest Locations
cesutter.ucanr.edu
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Sheep Producer Workshop.
Chico State University Sheep Unit,
311 Nicholas C Shouten Lane,
Chico, Calif. The California Wool
Growers Association is hosting
four interactive workshops focus-
ing on improving lamb marketing
and quality as well as producer
profitability. To register contact the
CWGA office at info@woolgrow-
ers.org or (916) 444-8122.
Soil Health Workshop Fea-
turing Brendon Rockey & Wendy
Taheri. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Holiday Inn,
1100 5th St. S, Great Falls, Mont.
Cost: $20. Website: http://bit.ly/2B-
pzYNT
Richvale Rice Growers Meet-
ing 8:30 a.m.-noon. Evangelical
Church, 5219 Church St., Rich-
vale, Calif. Website: http://cesutter.
ucanr.edu
Glenn Rice Growers Meeting.
1:30-5 p.m. Glenn County Office
of Education, 311 S. Villa Ave., Wil-
lows, Calif. Website: http://cesutter.
ucanr.edu
Wednesday-Thursday
Jan. 17-18
2018 Northwest Hay Expo. 8
a.m.-4 p.m. Three Rivers Conven-
tion Center, 7016 W. Grandridge
Blvd., Kennewick, Wash. Featur-
ing 90-plus exhibitors, top speak-
ers and breakout sessions cov-
ering industry updates. Website:
http://wa-hay.org/nwhayexpo/
Idaho Noxious Weed Con-
ference. Riverside Hotel, 2900
W. Chinden Blvd. Boise, Idaho.
A variety of presenters will offer
information important to weed
control. Website: www.idahoweed
control.org
Thursday, Jan. 18
Sheep Producer Workshop. UC
Hopland Research and Extension
Center, 4070 University Road, Hop-
land, Calif. To register contact the
CWGA office at info@woolgrowers.
org or (916) 444-8122.
1-800-765-9055
Soil Health Workshop Featuring
Brendon Rockey & Steve Kenyon. 8
a.m.-3 p.m. Big Horn Resort, 1801
Majestic Lane, Billings, Mont. We
have a number of great presenters
lined up that will share their experi-
ences in building soil health. Cost:
$20. Website: http://bit.ly/2zGUuZC
Friday, Jan. 19
SAIF Agri-Business Banquet.
6-9 p.m. Salem Convention Center,
200 Commercial St. SE, Salem, Ore.
The SAIF Agri-Business Banquet
is a celebration of the agricultural
community and its impact on the
mid-Willamette Valley. The Salem
Area Chamber of Commerce prior-
itizes hosting this event along with
title sponsor SAIF and presenting
sponsor KeyBank because agricul-
ture is a key part of Oregon’s econ-
omy. The banquet will feature guest
speaker Steve Gilliland’s humor,
inspiration and business insight.
There will also be recognition of an
outstanding FFA student for leader-
ship in shaping the future of the ag-
ricultural industry. Website: https://
salemchamber.org/
Soil Health Workshop Featuring
Brendon Rockey & Derek Axton. 8
a.m.-3 p.m. Richland County Fair-
grounds, 2118 W Holly St. Sidney,
Mont. We have great presenters lined
up throughout the week that will share
their own experiences in building and
maintaining soil health. Cost: $20.
Website: http://bit.ly/2zGUuZC
Soil Health Workshop Featur-
ing Steve Kenyon & Wendy Taheri.
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sleep Inn, 1006 S.
Haynes Ave., Miles City, Mont. We
have a number of great presenters
lined up throughout the week that will
share their own experiences in build-
ing and maintaining soil health. Cost:
$20. Website: http://bit.ly/2zGUuZC
Family Foresters Workshop. 8:30
a.m.-5 p.m. Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506
W Appleway Ave., Coeur d’Alene,
Idaho. The workshop, sponsored by
the University of Idaho and Wash-
ington State University, is for any
professionals that work with family
forest owners. Cost: $90 by Jan. 12.
Website: www.uidaho.edu/FamilyFor-
esterWorkshop
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Index
Dairy .....................................11
Livestock ..............................11
Opinion .................................. 6
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