2
CapitalPress.com
Friday, March 11, 2022
People & Places
Researcher aims to lengthen
Oregon’s strawberry season
Established 1928
Capital Press Managers
Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher
By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN
Capital Press
Oregon’s strawberry sea-
son is short, typically lasting
from late May or early June
through September.
Oregon State University
researcher Erica Chernoh is
trying to change that. Her
work aims to lengthen Ore-
gon’s strawberry-growing
season. Early results from
trials are promising, show-
ing the sea-
son can be
extended
by at least 2
months.
Histori-
cally, Ore-
gon’s indus-
Erica
try has been
Chernoh
focused on
growing
strawberries for processing
rather than the fresh mar-
ket, but experts say there’s
demand for fresh Oregon
strawberries and potential
for that sector to expand.
“People love fresh fruit
and fresh berries, and so
we do believe the market is
there for fresh-market pro-
duction,” Chernoh said.
In a 2016 study from
Oregon Tilth, a nonprofit
focused on organic food and
farming, retailers and dis-
tributors said Oregon farm-
ers could be growing more
strawberries — a crop for
which there was “unmet
demand.”
When there aren’t enough
Oregon-grown strawberries
to meet demand, the gap is
filled by strawberries grown
Anne Long ................. Advertising Director
Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor
Samantha Stinnett .....Circulation Manager
Entire contents copyright © 2022
Western
Innovator
EO Media Group
dba Capital Press
An independent newspaper
ERICA CHERNOH
published every Friday.
• Age: 45
• Hometown: Antioch,
Calif.
Courtesy of Erica Chernoh
Low tunnels for strawberries.
in California or elsewhere.
“At a supermarket, often-
times what you see are
strawberries from out of
state, you know. So, we’re
hoping to kind of fill that
niche and void,” Chernoh
said.
Chernoh has a long his-
tory with strawberries. From
2010 to 2012, she worked
with Sacramento County
strawberry growers through
the University of California
Cooperative Extension.
After some time doing
integrated crop management
work internationally, she
moved to Oregon.
Starting in 2018, Chernoh
worked as research assistant
for Javier Fernandez-Sal-
vador on a program called
the Oregon State University
Berry Initiative at the North
Willamette Research and
Extension Center in Aurora.
The initiative is funded by
the Oregon Legislature and
Northwest Center for Small
Fruits Research.
In 2019, Chernoh started
her current position as an
assistant professor of prac-
tice. She now has a split role
as a researcher and educa-
tor — working on straw-
berry trials in Aurora and as
an Extension Service agent
in the Southern Willamette
Valley.
When Fernandez-Salva-
dor left to become director
of the UC-Davis Olive Cen-
ter in 2021, Chernoh became
the OSU Berry Initiative’s
new leader.
To lengthen the time-
frame during which straw-
berries can be grown, Cher-
noh has been experimenting
with a variety of techniques,
including growing berries
in “tunnels” that resemble
small greenhouses.
Growing
strawberries
in tunnels, Chernoh said,
can extend the season up to
about a month earlier and
later — meaning high-qual-
ity strawberries can grow
from early May through late
October.
This year, Chernoh is
running a trial to compare
low-tunnel to high-tun-
nel production. She will be
comparing the two systems
in many ways: looking at
yield, fruit quality, produc-
tion timeframe and compar-
ing labor efficiencies.
The researcher is also
experimenting with straw-
berry cultivars, including
• Education: Undergrad-
uate degree, Humboldt
State University; master’s
degree, UC-Davis in
international agricultural
development focused
on sustainable cropping
systems
• Occupation: Assistant
professor of practice at
Oregon State University
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
Albion and Seascape. Ore-
gon’s industry has histor-
ically produced mostly
June-bearing cultivars, but
the industry — with the help
of OSU’s Berry Initiative —
is currently experimenting
with “day neutral” varieties.
Day neutral refers to a
variety’s light sensitivity.
Day-neutral
strawberries
can blossom and set fruit
regardless of length of avail-
able daylight hours when
temperatures are between 40
and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chernoh
said
she’s
excited about helping grow-
ers extend their season and
meet demand.
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
Sierra Dawn McClain ..........503-506-8011
Designer
Randy Wrighthouse .............800-882-6789
Idaho ag community celebrates Waitley’s honorary doctorate from UI
By BRAD CARLSON
Capital Press
Rick Waitley’s recent hon-
orary doctorate in agricultural
sciences from the Univer-
sity of Idaho recognizes his
40-plus years of ag advocacy
and his connection with many
who share his passion.
“I feel very honored,”
he said following a Feb. 23
Boise recognition event that
drew about 125 people. “It’s
a very busy week for us and
a very busy week in the Leg-
islature. I was amazed people
would carve out an hour and
20 minutes. That was very,
very nice.”
When university President
Scott Green informed Wait-
ley last summer that he would
receive the honorary doctor-
ate, “it was a pretty big shock.
It was never something I
aspired to and totally took me
by surprise.”
Some 34 letters advocated
Joseph Pallen/UI
Rick Waitley receives an honorary doctorate in agricul-
tural sciences during University of Idaho winter com-
mencement Dec. 11, 2021. From the left are UI Presi-
dent Scott Green, Waitley and UI Provost and Executive
Vice President Torrey Lawrence.
the honor for Waitley, who
participated in commence-
ment ceremonies at UI’s main
campus in Moscow Dec. 11.
He leads Food Producers
of Idaho, Leadership Idaho
Agriculture and Idaho Ag in
the Classroom. He and col-
leagues at Association Man-
agement Group put together
the annual Larry Branen
Idaho Ag Summit. He also
lobbies for several commod-
ity and other ag groups.
Michael Parrella, UI Col-
lege of Agricultural and Life
Sciences dean, said Waitley
“has been a tremendous part-
ner to the University of Idaho
and particularly to CALS.”
Parrella said Waitley advo-
cates on behalf of Idaho agri-
culture, and serves on many
boards and committees —
including the College of Agri-
cultural and Life Sciences
Dean’s Advisory Board,
which he chairs.
In that role, “he helps
shape the vision for the col-
lege. His dedication to higher
education is inspiring.”
He is “a unique treasure
for the state of Idaho’s ag
industry, and I think we some-
times take for granted how
much Rick has done for us in
his career for the ag industry’s
benefit,” said Blair Wilson, a
retired Northwest Farm Credit
Services Idaho president.
Wayne Thiessen, a retired
Ore-Ida Foods executive and
former Idaho Potato Com-
mission board member, said
Waitley is accomplished and
articulate, and “has a tre-
mendous capacity for meet-
ing people and identifying
a need in agriculture.” And
he is skilled at designing and
developing activities and
groups “to deal with and fur-
ther Idaho agriculture.”
Waitley grew up on a farm
south of Meridian. He grad-
uated from Meridian High
School in 1969 and earned a
bachelor’s degree in agricul-
tural education at UI in 1973.
He taught vocational agri-
culture at Kuna High School
until 1977, when he joined the
national FFA staff.
He returned to Idaho after
about a year to help care for
his mother, who was ill. He
served as executive direc-
tor of the Idaho Dairymen’s
Association and executive
secretary of the Idaho Coop-
erative Council. He formed a
consulting business in 1979.
“We’ve got so many great
people in ag,” Waitley said.
He and his wife, Dorita,
live in Meridian and have two
adult daughters.
To Place Classified Ads
Telephone (toll free) ............800-882-6789
Online ............................CapitalPress.com
Subscriptions
Mail rates paid in advance
Easy Pay U.S. $4 /month
(direct withdrawal from bank
or credit card account)
1 year U.S. ...........................................$ 65
2 years U.S. ........................................$115
1 year Canada.....................................$230
1 year other countries ...........call for quote
1 year Internet only.............................$ 52
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
Washington wheat farmer talks crop insurance before House ag committee
By MATTHEW WEAVER
Capital Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA
crop insurance programs don’t cover
farmers’ cost of production, Wash-
ington wheat farmer Nicole Berg told
the House Agriculture Committee
this week.
“They don’t even hit our break-
even,” Berg told the Capital Press.
The committee held a hearing
March 1 to review the 2018 Farm
Bill with a focus on Title I commod-
ity programs.
Berg, who farms in Pater-
son, Wash., is vice president of
the National Association of Wheat
Growers. She will
assume the pres-
idency
during
NAWG’s
annual
meeting March 8-12
during the Commod-
ity Classic in New
Nicole Berg Orleans.
USDA estimates
the break-even price for wheat farm-
ers is about $6.32 per bushel. The
crop insurance programs use $5.50
per bushel as the reference price.
“It needs to be a little bit more
equitable for farmers, especially since
we’re price-takers, not price-setters,”
Berg said.
NAWG will work to set its farm bill
priorities during the Commodity Clas-
sic. Berg hopes to discuss increasing
the crop insurance reference price for
wheat. Farm bill hearings may begin
this spring.
She hoped to convey to the com-
mittee the importance of the agricul-
tural safety net, as farmers face infla-
tion and higher input costs.
Berg also highlighted key
improvements made in the 2018
Farm Bill. She spotlighted giving
farmers the option to choose between
Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)
and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) each
year. Previously, growers locked in
one option for five years.
“As you know, markets, yields and
droughts and everything changes
the scope of the countryside,” she
said.
Berg felt the committee
responded well to her testimony.
She’s spoken before state agriculture
committees, she said, but this was her
first time speaking to a congressional
committee.
Berg encouraged other wheat
farmers to get involved in developing
policy.
“We need all the wheat grow-
ers to tell our story,” she said. “Any-
body who wants to approach making
a decision to be in a leadership role, I
encourage them and I will totally sup-
port them.”
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
CALENDAR
Submit upcoming ag-related
events on www.capitalpress.com
or by email to newsroom@capital-
press.com.
SATURDAY
MARCH 12
Tour of Sheep Farm and FAM-
ACHA Training: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grand Ronde, Ore. OSU Extension
and Polk SWCD bring this work-
shop for sheep and goat produc-
ers who would like to be FAMACHA
certified and learn more about
small-scale sheep production from
expert farmers. FAMACHA is a tech-
nique used to detect the signs of
barber pole worm, the most com-
mon and costly internal parasite in
sheep and goats. This technique
can be used as part of your ani-
mal health protocol to identify ani-
mals that should be dewormed.
FAMACHA can help you save
on dewormer costs and help to
reduce parasite resistance over
time. This workshop includes train-
ing by Dr. Chuck Estill, Carlson Col-
lege of Veterinary Medicine at OSU
and participants will receive a FAM-
ACHA certification and card. Con-
tact: Hayley White, 971-612-0027,
Hayley.white@oregonstate.edu
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
MARCH 17-20
Oregon FFA State Conven-
tion: Deschutes County Fair and
Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way,
Redmond, Ore. Oregon FFA mem-
bers from around the state will
gather to compete and to learn
during their annual convention in
Redmond. Website: https://ore-
gonffa.com/state-convention/
WEDNESDAY-
SATURDAY
MARCH 23-26
High Desert Stampede:
Deschutes County Fair and Expo
Center, 3800 SW Airport Way, Red-
mond, Ore. This annual ProRodeo
Tour stop is going forward the last
weekend in March as one of the
top 60 rodeos in the country. We
are expanding to three nights to
give contestants and fans addi-
tional opportunities to participate.
Let’s rodeo! For the full sched-
ule, go to the website: https://bit.
ly/33tT2hE Contact: 844-414-2242,
info@highdesertstampede.com
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
MARCH 25-27
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
MARCH 26-27
Northwest Horse Fair and
Expo: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday,
and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday
and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Linn
County Fair and Expo Center,
3700 Knox Butte Road E, Albany,
Ore. The Northwest Horse Fair
and Expo is a huge horse expo
packed with family-friendly fun,
exciting equine entertainment
and education. It features daily
clinics with top-notch trainers
and riders; Colt Starting Chal-
lenge USA; stunning stallions
and beautiful breeds perform-
ing daily; giant trade show;
and much more. More informa-
tion: https://bit.ly/3rvKaA9 or
765-720-2098.
Central Oregon Agricultural
Show: 9 a.m. Deschutes County Fair
and Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport
Way, Redmond, Ore. Welcome to the
first-ever Central Oregon Agricultural
Show, featuring exhibitors, presenta-
tions, seminars and more. See you in
Redmond! Website: https://northwe-
stagshow.com/ Phone: 800-882-6789
Crisis in Ukraine .......................................3
SATURDAY-TUESDAY
MARCH 26-29
Accuracy is important to Capital Press
staff and to our readers.
California FFA State Leader-
ship Conference: Golden 1 Center,
500 David Stern Walk, Sacramento,
Calif. More than 7,000 FFA members
will gather for this year’s convention
in Sacramento. Website: https://bit.
ly/3sgmiRr
Index
Dairy .......................................................9
Markets .................................................12
Opinion ...................................................6
Water ......................................................7
Correction policy
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.