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About The Redmond spokesman. (Redmond, Crook County, Or.) 1910-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2022)
P4 The SpokeSman • WedneSday, march 23, 2022 DESCHUTES COUNTY Farmers prepare as drought is declared BY MICHAEL KOHN The Bulletin For the third year in a row, ranch- ers and farmers will be applying for state assistance once Gov. Kate Brown approves the drought declaration made earlier this month by Deschutes County officials. Drought declarations open doors to farmers that are usually closed. They can graze animals on land in conser- vation reserve programs. They can pump groundwater from wells with- out previous water rights, after receiv- ing an emergency use permit from the state. And there are programs that help pay for the cost of hauling water to livestock. Symons, co-owner of the Ma- dras-based Symons Beef Co., said the programs allow her and other busi- nesses to stay afloat, but they are not sustainable. “The programs are better than get- ting nothing at all,” said Symons. “But from a producers standpoint, we are better off with production and profit- ability on nondrought years.” Drought programs will likely soon be available to farmers and ranchers across the tricounties. Crook County, the most drought-stricken of Cen- tral Oregon’s three counties, declared drought in early March, as did Jeffer- son County. It is the third consecutive year that Deschutes County has declared a drought, and the first time the county has ever declared a drought dean Guernsey/The Bulletin Rob Rastovich feeds cattle Wednesday on his farm in Bend. Rastovich’s century-old family farm is facing a tough year after consecu- three years in a row. Twice before the county had back-to-back droughts, in 1991-1992 and 2001-2002. Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang said the unanimous vote could help county farmers and ranch- ers get water that is not normally available to them. “A declaration from the gover- nor will provide flexibility in moving water around to where it is needed, emergency access to groundwater and potentially to state funding,” Chang said. In addition to emergency use of groundwater, irrigators can also ap- ply for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration and potentially assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nathan Garibay, emergency manager for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, said in an email. But Deschutes County cattle rancher Rob Rastovich said state and federal programs aimed at assisting farmers in need often aren’t enough to offset losses. “We’ll survive this year, but one more year like this and I might trade cows for houses,” said Rastovich. “Drought doesn’t seem to have af- fected the homebuilding industry.” Central Oregon is one of the worst- hit areas in the U.S., with around half of the area in exceptional drought, the highest category of drought. As of Tuesday, the region’s snowpack stood at 74% of normal, according to data from the Natural Resources Conser- vation Service. Precipitation to date for the water year is 84% of normal. Wickiup Reservoir, which holds water for farmers in Jefferson County, is just 52% full, with only two weeks left before the start of the irriga- tion season. Other reservoirs are in worse shape. Crescent Lake is 8% full; Prineville Reservoir is 22% full, and Ochoco Reservoir is 9% full. Larry O’Neill, associate professor at the Oregon State University College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sci- ences said the past two water years have been the driest on record for seven Ore- gon counties, including Deschutes. In addition to drying out soils and reservoirs, the drought conditions have also prevented streams and rivers from flowing at their normal heights. In September last year, a quarter of streamflow gauges around the state were at record low levels, according to U.S. Geological Survey data. e Reporter: 541-617-7818, mkohn@bendbulletin.com LANDOWNERS Assistance available for fuel reduction, defensible space projects Spokesman staff The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon Dis- trict is accepting applications from landowners interested in fuel-reduction projects on their properties. The projects are meant to reduce the chance of wildfires spreading to structures, and to improve routes where wild- land meet urban properties, specifically for residents in Deschutes River Recreational Homesites 1-5 and Crooked River Ranch in Jefferson and Deschutes counties, the De- partment of Forestry said in a news release. This undated file photo shows flames from a pre- scribed burn on the De- schutes Na- tional Forest. deschutes national Forest/ file The project funding comes from a $5 million grant allo- cated by Senate Bill 762, leg- islation focused on creating fire resilient communities by reducing hazardous fuels on small forestlands. The projects include thin- ning of overstocked and dis- eased juniper and pine stands, pruning limbs on residual trees and the removal of excess woody debris. Landowners must provide a 25% match for work com- pleted, but the match can come through work performed by landowners. Historically underserved populations, including elderly and lower income applicants, will receive priority consid- eration for their applications. Additionally, Oregon Depart- ment of Forestry will provide Central Oregon Ag Show on tap BY CARL SAMPSON For the Spokesman The inaugural edition of the Central Oregon Agricultural Show, scheduled for this week- end, promises something for everyone. Whether you farm or ranch for a living, have a small acre- age, keep a few chickens your backyard or are just curious about agriculture, this new breed of ag show caters to each member of the family. Admis- sion is free. The all-important displays of the latest tractors and im- plements will be on hand, plus exhibitors offering an array of services for commercial farm- ers and those who have smaller acreages, horses and other live- stock. “It offers a fusion between a focus on commercial produc- ers and on those folks with ru- ral acreages — with a chance for urban residents to see what is going on in ag,” said Joe Beach, editor and publisher of the Capital Press agricultural newspaper and website, which is producing the show for the EO Media Group in conjunc- tion with the Bend Bulletin and Redmond Spokesman. On the agenda are events ranging from a fundraising breakfast to a working dog chipping opportunities for all landowners in these commu- nities. Reducing fire hazards in- creases the ability to slow wild- fire spread, allowing firefight- ers to suppress fires quickly with less damage within com- munities and to natural re- sources. Interested landowners can apply for the program for fuel reduction on their property and to have debris removed by visiting the the department of forestry’s website. Landowners can also con- tact Stewardship Forester, Ross Huffman, 541-549-2731. For landowners in Crooked River Ranch, or Deschutes River Recreational Homesites 1-5 and nine, contact Stewardship Forester, Kody Johannsen, 541- 447-5658. SOLUTION Sudoku on Page 2 SOLUTION Crossword on Page 2 Central Oregon Ag Show When: Saturday and Sun- day, march 26 and 27 Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Satur- day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday Where: deschutes county Fair & expo center, 3800 Se airport Way, redmond, ore., in the north, South and mid- dle Sister buildings. Admission: Free Contact: anne Long, 503-871-7957 Email: events@eomedia- group.com Sierra dawn mcclain/capital press File The first-ever Central Oregon Ag Show will have indoor and outdoor exhibits — all in a family friendly atmosphere. demonstration, seminars on the weather and small-scale farming and food vendors — and even a rodeo Saturday night. “This is not your grandpa’s ag show,” said Anne Long of the Capital Press and another of the show’s organizers. The show will open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27, at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond. It closes at 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The title sponsor of the Central Oregon Ag Show is Harvest Capital Company, a longtime supporter of Oregon agriculture.Included in the mix of activities is the Buckaroo Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Sat- urday while supplies last. It is sponsored by McDonalds and will benefit Perfect Balance, a nonprofit that helps tell ag’s story to the public. Also on hand will be a Kid Zone especially designed for the Central Oregon Ag Show by Dawn Alexander, a former Ag Teacher of the Year. Early Day Gas Engines and Antique Tractors will be on display, sponsored by Ed Staub & Sons Petroleum. At 11 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, Clint John- son will put his working dogs through the paces, showing how they handle cattle. A special feature of the ag show is the High Desert Stam- pede, which takes place in the First Interstate Bank Center at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Rodeo tickets are available online at https://bit. ly/3rVszmA. “Folks are invited to come early Saturday and enjoy the ag show and stay to watch the ac- tion at the rodeo,” Beach said. Ways you can support Thelma’s Place: • Vehicle donations • Cash donations • Sponsorships • Volunteer CHILD CARE AN INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAM Your support makes a difference! Redmond: 541-548-3049 Day Respite and Support Groups www.thelmasplace.org