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2 CapitalPress.com Friday, January 22, 2021 People & Places WSU entomologist seeks biocontrol for weeds By DON JENKINS Capital Press Washington State Univer- sity entomologist Jennifer Andreas plans to soon peti- tion the USDA to allow a non-native insect be turned loose on an invasive weed that she calls, respectfully, “a beast.” Flowering rush, an aquatic plant native to Eur- asia, has escaped in the West, presenting a choking hazard to irrigation systems. Hard to pull and tough to poison, the weed has no natural North American predator to check its growth. For almost 10 years, Andreas and other research- ers have been studying how to beat back flowering rush with “classical biocontrol,” the science of importing a foreign bug to fight a foreign weed. It’s not done lightly. Sci- entists spend years studying whether introduced insects will do harm by straying off target and killing beneficial native plants. The payoff is weed control without annual herbicide applications. “There is no zero-risk option. If you spray there’s a risk in that. If you do noth- ing, there is a risk,” Andreas said. “Biocontrol is quite low risk.” Andreas said she hopes this spring to submit a peti- tion to release Bogous nodu- losus, a.k.a. “flowering rush weevil.” A technical panel will review the petition and advise the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. A decision is likely Western Innovator Jennifer Andreas Job: Director of Wash- ington State University Integrated Weed Control Project Courtesy of Jennifer Andreas Washington State University entomologist Jennifer Andreas directs the college’s Integrated Weed Control Project and is involved in biocontrol research. to be years away. With APHIS approval, the weevils could be let go, probably first at Flathead Lake in Montana, the source of flowering rush root frag- ments floating west into Idaho and Washington. In Eurasia, the weevil eats flowering rush rhizomes, or rootstalks, “hitting it where it hurts,” Andreas said. She said she’s excited to see how the weevil will work in North America. “Flowering rush is sort of a beast of a plant, and we’re kind of losing the battle to get rid of it,” she said. Andreas, based at WSU’s research center in Puyallup, directs the WSU Integrated Weed Control Project, a pro- gram primarily funded by the U.S. Forest Service. She also leads the inter- national Flowering Rush Biocontrol Consortium and co-chairs the biocon- trol committee of the North American Invasive Species Management Association. For a question-and-an- swer session on the associ- ation’s website recently, she named flowering rush her “favorite invasive species.” “You have to respect a weed that is besting us at almost every turn,” she said. Andreas said the remark was somewhat tongue-in- cheek, but also true. “I would say I have a cer- tain respect for some of these invasive species that are challenging for us,” she said. A native of Canada, Andreas went to the Univer- sity of Lethbridge in Alberta Positions: Biocontrol committee co-chair of the North American Invasive Species Manage- ment Association; lead of the Flowering Rush Biocontrol Consortium Education: Bachelor’s degree University of Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada); master’s degree University of Idaho in entomology and with the help of a “great professor” was introduced to the wonders of entomology. “I think insects are incredi- ble,” she said. After graduating from Lethbridge in 2000, she enrolled at the University of Idaho and earned a mas- ter’s degree in entomology in 2004. She went to work for WSU Extension in King County in 2005 and later moved to Puyallup. The WSU program Andreas directs promotes controlling weeds by all means, including biocontrol. Most biocontrol exper- iments fail, according to APHIS. Sometimes trans- planted insects don’t repro- duce in their new environ- ment or aren’t that effective. According to the Centre for Agriculture and Biosci- ence International, the last biocontrol agents to have notable success in the west- ern U.S. were a wasp and a midge introduced in 2008 and 2009 to control Russian knapweed. Recently, however, APHIS has authorized some promising releases. “We did have a kind of quiet, nothing-happen- ing phase, but we’re taking off again,” Andreas said. “I think we’re getting excited again.” APHIS in 2019 permitted the release of a weevil, Cer- atapion basicorne, to attack yellow starthistle, a weed that damages grazing lands in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. The prickly plant is Andreas’ least favorite inva- sive species. “I hate work- ing in it. It’s so painful,” she said. In 2020, APHIS permit- ted the release of a psyllid, Aphalara itadori, to con- trol Japanese knotweed, as well as the related Bohe- mian knotweed and giant knotweed. The insect was released last spring in Grays Harbor, King and Pierce counties. Andreas will be checking in early spring this year to see how the insect fared over the winter. EMPOWERING PRODUCERS OF FOOD & FIBER Established 1928 Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher Anne Long ................Advertising Manager Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor Jessica Boone ............ Production Manager Samantha McLaren ....Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2021 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 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 New executive director joins Washington FFA By MATTHEW WEAVER Capital Press The new executive direc- tor of the Washington FFA Association is calling on farmers and others in agri- culture to help grow the next crop of leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Hands-on experiences are hard to deliver in a vir- tual setting, so if any farmers, industry reps, or supporters have opportunities to provide awareness and an introduc- tion to their operation ... then I ask you to contact me so that I can share your informa- tion with the teach- inside and outside ers,” Jason Bullock agriculture by giving told the Capital Press. them leadership and Some programs personal develop- ment skills, he said. are meeting in person, Bullock began while others have not at the association seen their students in Dec. 16. He replaces person since March Jason Abbie DeMeerleer, 2020, he said. The Bullock who left in Septem- organization will fol- low local, state and national ber after six years. Bullock worked remotely health and safety guidelines, from North Carolina before he said. Bullock says a partner- arriving in Lacey Jan. 4. ship “can and should exist” Bullock was an FFA between the organization, member in high school. He agricultural education and graduated from North Caro- the industry. FFA helps to lina State University with a prepare students for careers bachelor’s degree in agricul- tural and extension educa- tion and taught agricultural education for 12 years at St. Pauls, N.C., High School, his alma mater. He also taught agricul- tural biotechnology at South- eastern Community Col- lege in Whiteville, N.C., then worked as a practice manager at a pet hospital and veteri- nary assistant. He began pursuing his doctorate in agricultural and extension education at NCSU in 2018, and will graduate in May 2021. He said he will continue Washington FFA’s current strategic plan, and begin pre- paring for a new plan in 2023. “Another goal is to work to ensure that the association is providing opportunities to its members, supporters and leaders that foster diverse, inclusive and equitable prac- tices,” he said. “The vast dif- ferences in schools’ sched- ules and educational delivery across the state will be a chal- lenge, but it is the goal and mission of the Washington FFA board of directors to work together to find a way to provide opportunities to the students during this unprece- dented time.” Sierra Dawn McClain ..........503-506-8011 Designer Randy Wrighthouse .............800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads 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 From suffering to opportunity: Former refugee empowers people to farm By SIERRA DAWN MCCLAIN Capital Press PORTLAND — African refugees have started farm businesses near Portland in recent years that are growing in popularity and profit. Much of their success, they say, can be traced to the man who trained them behind-the-scenes: Eca- Etabo Wasongolo. Wasongolo is community organizer at Village Gardens, a nonprofit that promotes economic and food resil- ience. Each year, Wason- golo trains about 15 refugees how to grow and market food. Refugees start by sell- ing produce at Village Mar- ket, a small grocery store. A few have gone on to start farm businesses, and more are considering it. “I want people to dis- cover they have the poten- tial to make some- a massive refugee thing, that they have influx as 4.5 million a certain power people from Burundi inside them,” said and Rwanda fled to Wasongolo. the Congo. Wa s o n g o l o ’s Wasongolo, who many assets equip at the time helped him for this work — Eca-Etabo Burundian and university training Wasongolo Rwandan refugees, in agriculture, sci- was seen as a trai- ence and development, and tor for this work and became his ability to speak Swahili, a wanted man. Rebels Kibembe, Nyanja, Kirundi, searched for him and killed Kinyarwanda, French and four relatives, including two brothers. English. “It’s hard to talk about,” His greatest asset, some say, is his own story — said Wasongolo. His voice broke. because once, Wasongolo As he, his wife Salome was a refugee, too. It was 1996. Civil war and their children fled, the had erupted in the Demo- streets were filled with bod- cratic Republic of the Congo, ies. They escaped from the where Wasongolo’s family Congo aided by a priest lived. The bloody genocide and nun and fled to nearby was nicknamed “Africa’s Zambia. Prior to the conflicts, First World War.” Ethnic strife before and Wasongolo had studied during the war propelled social organizing and agri- culture at the Higher Insti- tute of Rural Develop- ment and had subsequently taught communities how to improve their profits through farming and entrepreneur- ship. He had also worked for Caritas International, a Cath- olic relief organization, and helped refugees. Himself a refugee, Wason- golo continued teaching oth- ers to make a profit through farming and craftsmanship. Nearly eight years passed. Wasongolo’s family grew, living in camps, before their request for U.S. asylum was granted. The family settled in Portland. Around 2008, he became involved with Janus Youth, parent organization of Vil- lage Gardens, and in 2010, he became a community organizer. Wasongolo said he’s par- ticularly proud of one ref- ugee couple he trained — Prosper Hezumuryanao and Rosata Niyonzima, from Burundi. Under Wasongolo’s guid- ance, the couple learned to navigate American cul- ture, grew a garden plot, and in 2012, started their own organic farm on Sauvie Island. This they named Hap- piness Family Farm, after their daughter, Happiness. Their business is growing, and they have sold produce through farmers markets, grocery delivery services, a community-supported agri- culture program, or CSA, and in local restaurants. “You can’t imagine. From such suffering to such oppor- tunity. They’re doing great,” said Wasongolo. This month, Wasongolo plans to meet with other ref- ugees who are interested in full-time farming. 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 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 CALENDAR Submit upcoming ag-related events on www.capitalpress.com or by email to newsroom@capi- talpress.com. MONDAY-THURSDAY JAN. 25-28 Dairy Forum 2021 (virtual): Presentations will focus on leader- ship, technology, global trade, sus- tainability, product innovations and navigating the political landscape. Website: https://www.idfa.org TUESDAY-THURSDAY JAN. 26-28 FSCPCA-Preventive Controls for Human Food: This FSPCA Pre- ventive Controls for Human Food course is the “standardized curric- ulum” recognized by the FDA. This course covers regulation Title 21 CFR 117 – Current Good Manufac- turing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food. The course will go in-depth with requirements for Haz- ard Analysis and Risk-Based Pre- ventive Controls based food safety training. Course participants will get familiar with all requirements of Preventive Controls based food safety plan and how to design the plan, and upon successful comple- tion of the course become a Pre- ventive Controls Qualified Individ- ual (PCQI). Cost: $750 Contact: Jane Hokanson, 208-616-5191, jane- hokanson@techhelp.org WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27 Farm Transition Planning Four-Part Workshop (virtual): It’s never too early — or too late — to begin securing your farm’s future. A farm transition plan is essential to protecting your interests and min- imizing attorney fees, taxes, and family stress. This free workshop series will help you understand your options and navigate the plan- ning process. All classes are 1-4 p.m. In partnership with the Small Busi- ness Development Center at Clack- amas Community College, Tualatin youtube.com/CapitalPressvideo SWCD will host four workshops cov- ering the following topics: Jan. 27: The estate planning process and options. Feb. 10: Strategies for having difficult conversations. Feb. 24: Organizing your finances and business structure. March 10: Preparing your oper- ation and heirs for transition. Information: https://bit. ly/3gxXD4r WEDNESDAY- THURSDAY JAN. 27-28 University of Idaho Bean School (virtual): 9-11 a.m. The Uni- versity of Idaho is taking its annual Bean School online. The Jan. 27 ses- sion will include updates by the Idaho Bean Commission and Idaho Crop Improvement Association, as well as updates on bean diseases and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture licensing program. The Jan. 28 session will include con- servation practices related to bean production and seed-borne bacte- rial pathogens that have quarantine significance in the Pacific North- west. Two pesticide applicator cred- its are available. Participants must register before Jan. 25. To register, visit: https://uidaho.co1.qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_06cfCiLAMJF5yjb Index Idaho Innovators ............................... 7-10 Opinion ...................................................6 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.
