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2 CapitalPress.com Friday, January 15, 2021 People & Places This scientist’s passion for bees is helping agriculture EMPOWERING PRODUCERS OF FOOD & FIBER Established 1928 Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher Anne Long ................Advertising Manager By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN Capital Press CORVALLIS, Ore. — Andony Melathopoulos says his work is pretty sweet. Melathopoulos leads Ore- gon State University Exten- sion’s statewide pollina- tor health program and is an assistant professor. Agricul- tural experts say he’s one of the nation’s most remark- able innovators in the world of bees. The researcher has made significant contributions to bee disease studies, has trained thousands of Oregon applicators in how to safely apply pesticides, teaches the public about agriculture and pollination and started Amer- ica’s first statewide native bee inventory. “I love it when peo- ple get excited about bees. A lot of Oregonians I run into — rancher, applicator, Portland person — are like, ‘What are these weird little red things zipping along the landscape?’ They’re really just curious, like me,” said Melathopoulos. Melathopoulos said he has always been interested in the natural world. He remembers watching nature TV shows as a kid and thinking: “How can such creatures exist?” He grew up in Canada and said that working in Oregon has been “a dream” because Canada doesn’t have an extension service and Ore- gon has a wider range of fauna, or animal life. In Canada, Melathopou- los grew up in an agricultural Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor Jessica Boone ............ Production Manager Samantha McLaren ....Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2021 Western Innovator ANDONY MELATHOPOULOS Occupation: Assistant pro- fessor in horticulture and pollinator health, Oregon State University Extension specialist Age: 49 Lynn Ketchum/Oregon State University Andony Melathopoulos, OSU Extension pollinator specialist, with honey bees. Melathopoulos with a “bee beard.” region and worked along- side farmers. Here too, he said he’s passionate about the intersection of agriculture and pollination. Melathopoulos runs a program called the Oregon Bee Project with two dif- ferent arms. The first helps beekeepers and farmers bet- ter care for “managed” bees including honey bees, leaf- cutter bees, orchard mason bees and alkali bees. The second arm focuses on native bees, of which Ore- gon has more than 620 types. The researcher’s latest project, OSU’s Master Mel- ittologists program — a mel- ittologist is a bee expert — trains volunteers to locate, identify and preserve bees native to the state in a data- base called the Oregon Bee Atlas. He and his colleagues train volunteers and then send them out to catch and track bees. The project has helped promote biodiversity and enabled growers to boost crop yields. The researcher has trained more than 150 volunteers to collect samples. “A lot of ‘citizen sci- ence’ programs make peo- ple do a repetitive task again and again, the grunt work. But these volunteers wanted to be the discoverers. They wanted some independence. So I gave it to them,” said Melathopoulos. Volunteers say this sets Melathopoulos apart from many researchers; he empowers people. “I just — I don’t know how Andony (Melathopou- los) does it because this is just one little part of his job. He’s been amazing. And he makes himself available to everyone,” said Michael O’Loughlin, 58, a Yamhill County volunteer. Melathopoulos’ native bee studies have been use- ful in crop pollination efforts, especially in the state’s clo- ver seed industry and in Ban- don-area cranberries. Born and raised: Calgary, Canada Education: Interdisciplin- ary Ph.D. (2016), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; masters in pest man- agement (1999), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada; bachelor of science in biology, honors (1995), Simon Fraser University EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 2870 Broadway NE, Salem OR 97303. 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 Circulation ...........................800-781-3214 Email ........... Circulation@capitalpress.com Main line .............................503-364-4431 News Staff Melathopoulos said he’s also passionate about help- ing farmers apply pesticides in the safest ways possible. Since 2018, he has trained more than 7,000 pesticide applicators. He also teaches the public about agriculture and pollina- tion through coloring books, OMSI exhibits and presen- tations. OMSI is the Ore- gon Museum of Science and Industry. And colleagues say in his OSU classrooms, he’s train- ing the next generation of bee experts. Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas ..............208-860-3898 Boise Brad Carlson .......................208-914-8264 Western Washington Don Jenkins .........................360-722-6975 Eastern Washington Matthew Weaver ................509-688-9923 Oregon George Plaven ....................406-560-1655 Mateusz Perkowski .............800-882-6789 Sierra Dawn McClain ..........503-506-8011 Designer Randy Wrighthouse .............800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads Oregon FFA receives $500K gift for endowment to expand programs By GEORGE PLAVEN Capital Press CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Ore- gon FFA Foundation has received its largest single donation of $500,000 from Northwest Farm Credit Ser- vices to expand agricultural educa- tion programs and reach more stu- dents statewide. Foundation President Kirk Maag said the money will be used to seed a new endowment fund called “Ore- gon FFA Today and Tomorrow,” that will bolster FFA’s leadership and career development opportunities. “First and foremost, we’re just incredibly thankful,” Maag said. “We want to be deliberate in mak- ing sure that we best invest this gift in ways that will pro- vide the biggest bene- fit to our members over an extended period of time.” Maag said the Foun- dation’s Board of Direc- tors will seek input from agriculture teachers and FFA advisers across Oregon to determine priorities for the endowment. “Our hands aren’t overly tied in how we spend this money,” Maag said. “Northwest Farm Credit Ser- vices has placed a lot of trust in the Oregon FFA Board of Directors to work with our team of very talented employees to think of how we can make the biggest impact.” The Oregon FFA Foundation is the primary source of funding for Ore- gon FFA and its 11,000 members. “This endowment will ultimately allow us to reach more students in more communities, and provide expanded oppor- tunities for each of those students,” Maag said. In a statement, Brent Fetsch, Ore- gon President of Northwest Farm Credit Services, said he hopes other companies will join in contributing to the new endowment. “Students who participate in FFA are more likely to graduate from high school, and 93% continue their education beyond high school,” said Fetsch, who also serves as the Ore- gon FFA Foundation secretary and is a former FFA state officer. Fetsch said he has heard repeat- edly from the bank’s customers and other agribusiness that recruit- ing talent is a top concern facing the industry. “The return on investing in Ore- gon FFA is more young people grad- uating high school, pursuing further education or training and ultimately taking their place as the next gener- ation of Oregon agriculture and for- est product industries,” Fetsch said. “We are grateful for the impact- ful work Oregon FFA does for over 11,000 students, communities and agriculture.” Telephone (toll free) ............800-882-6789 Online ...........CapitalPress.com/classifieds Subscriptions Mail rates paid in advance Easy Pay U.S. $4 /month (direct withdrawal from bank or credit card account) 1 year U.S. ...........................................$55 2 years U.S. ........................................$100 1 year Canada .....................................$275 1 year other countries ...........call for quote 1 year Internet only .........................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students/teachers .......$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students/teachers ..$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted To get information published Mailing address: Wilco donates $75K to Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund Co-op makes largest single donation in its history By GEORGE PLAVEN Capital Press MT. ANGEL, Ore. — Wilco staff delivered a check for $75,000 to the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund on Jan. 4 to help communities rebuild after a series of destructive wild- fires ravaged the area last September. It is the largest single contribution in the co-op’s history. In addition to direct donations from Wilco cus- tomers and employees, some employees also converted their unused vacation time to give to the local nonprofit. “Our hope with any cash donation is that it offers immediate relief to those Wilco Wilco representatives present the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund with a $75,000 check. From left to right are TJ Colson, vice president of store operations; Jeff Buccello, Wilco-Purina Lifestyle production special- ist; Tanner Shockey, Stayton farm store manager; Me- gan Draper, community engagement specialist; Melissa Baurer, Santiam Hospital service integration coordina- tor, Deana Freres, Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund adviser; and Maggie Hudson, CEO of Santiam Hospital. who need it most,” said TJ Colson, vice president of retail store operations for Wilco. “The September wildfires in Oregon added to a historic year of upheaval and we want to be part of the rebuilding, growth and renewal of our rural communities.” The canyon was dev- astated by wind-whipped wildfires that swept through the area during the week after Labor Day. More than 700 homes were destroyed in and around the towns of Detroit, Mill City, Gates, Lyons and Mehama and in the Little North Fork area. The Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund has set a goal to raise $5 mil- lion that will go directly to support residents of fire-stricken communi- ties, including Detroit, Mill City, Gates, Lyons and Mehama. To date, the fund has raised more than $2.6 million. “This effort means a lot to our employees and farm- ers, many whom were per- sonally affected by the wildfires,” Colson said. All together, Wilco has donated more than $120,000 in cash and supplies since the 2020 Oregon wildfires began. That includes a sep- arate $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross, and more than $20,000 in donated supplies — includ- ing donations from vendors such as Purina and Nature’s Bedding. Hundreds of Wilco employees also volun- teered at county and state fairgrounds that served as evacuation sites during the fires, where families were forced to flee with their animals. “One positive that came out of the tragic fires was seeing our employees, cus- tomers and vendors all rally together to help com- munity members and their animals in a time of real need,” Colson said. Established in 1967, Wilco today serves more than 500,000 customers and has more than 3,000 farmer members across the Pacific Northwest. Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the information 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 CapitalPress.com FarmSeller.com MarketPlace.capitalpress.com facebook.com/CapitalPress facebook.com/FarmSeller twitter.com/CapitalPress youtube.com/CapitalPressvideo Index American Farm Bureau ............................4 CALENDAR Submit upcoming ag-related events on www.capitalpress.com or by email to newsroom@capital- press.com. TUESDAY- WEDNESDAY JAN. 19-20 Dairy Strong Annual Con- ference (virtual): The annual conference is organized by the Dairy Business Association. More details to come. Website: https://www.dairystrong.org TUESDAY-THURSDAY JAN. 19-21 Idaho Potato Conference (virtual): The 53rd annual Idaho Potato Con- ference is scheduled virtually from 8 a.m. to noon Mountain Jan. 19-21. Sessions are free. Advance regis- tration is required. Certified Crop Adviser and Idaho pesticide-recerti- fication credits are available. A Span- ish session is 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 19. Seminars are slated on topics rang- ing from potato varieties and quality — including economic ramifications — to disease and recommended practices. Each day will conclude with a presentation by a company working in the industry. Additional details about the conference will be posted at https://www.uidaho. edu/cals/potatoes/news/idaho-po- Opinion ...................................................6 tato-conference. Registration: Kristy Mayer, UI Auxiliary Services, 208-885- 4152 or kristym@uidaho.edu. WEDNESDAY- SATURDAY JAN. 20-23 41st EcoFarm Conference (virtual): Save the date for the 41st EcoFarm Conference Jan. 20-23. Building upon its farmer- to-farmer education model, Eco- Farm is an essential networking and educational hub for ecolog- ically minded farmers, ranchers and all who work to support their success in growing a healthy food system and world. Mark your cal- endars for Jan. 20-23 and get ready for an EcoFarm Conference unlike any before as we will con- vene online for our 41st event. Phone: 831-763-2111 Email: info@ eco-farm.org Website: https://eco- farm.org/conference 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.