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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2017)
REGION Friday, December 8, 2017 East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON Farm Bureau president addresses national issues Discusses labor, trade, regulations By GEORGE PLAVEN EO Media Group Driving from Portland to Pendleton on Wednesday, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said he was amazed by the change in scenery and even more surprised by the productivity of agriculture among the sand and sagebrush of Eastern Oregon. “I thought a desert was a desert, and it wouldn’t grow anything even if it had water,” said Duvall, a third-gener- ation farmer from Georgia. “But I’ve seen some beautiful crops right out in the middle of nowhere.” Duvall arrived Thursday morning at the Pendleton Convention Center to address the Oregon Farm Bureau annual meeting, where he discussed a host of national agricultural issues including farm labor, international trade and what he described as over-regulation by the federal government. The trip also satisfied Duvall’s goal of visiting all 50 states in his first term as president of the American Farm Bureau, which advo- cates for policies on behalf of farmers nationwide. “This is a beautiful state, and you should be proud of it,” Duvall told the Oregon delegates. The number one issue George Plaven/EO Media Group Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau president, spoke about national agricultural issues including farm labor and international trade Thursday morning during the Oregon Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Pendleton. facing American agriculture, Duvall said, is labor. When asked later about legislation that would replace H-2A visas with a new H-2C program — which passed the House Judiciary Committee in late October — Duvall said there are still some problems to work out with the proposal, but added that “we want a workable program that not only deals with seasonal workers but year- round workers to bring some stability to our workforce.” Duvall went on to talk about “burdensome” environ- mental regulations, though he was pleased with the Trump administration’s decision to revoke the contentious Waters of the U.S. rule. Landowners worried that WOTUS would give the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers regulatory authority over virtually any waters, creating uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. While the rule has been scrapped, Duvall said farmers need to keep up the pressure on lawmakers to ensure new regulations are clear and workable. “We all know the other side that opposes us on our effort to rewrite the rule, they’re going to be ready to challenge the next rule that comes forward,” he said. Unlike the previous administration, Duvall said current federal leadership is much more receptive to the Farm Bureau’s concerns and interests. He praised fellow Georgian Sonny Perdue, President Trump’s secretary of agriculture, as someone who relies on sound science and data to make decisions. “I’ve got high expectations for him doing the right thing,” Duvall said. Along with Perdue, Duvall said he has seen plenty of promise from EPA Admin- istrator Scott Pruitt and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. Together, Duvall said the three men are committed to putting federal land, timber and grazing back to work for rural America. Duvall specifically mentioned Zinke’s recent proposal to shrink a number of national monuments, including the Cascade-Sis- kiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon. “The bottom line is we want to go back to using common sense,” Duvall said. “As they create those monuments, it becomes a huge burden on our farmers and ranchers who have been there for generations, using those federal lands to graze.” On the trade front, Duvall said renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, has made for some concerns, though he remains confident the right people are in place to minimize the risk to agri- culture. “(President Trump) swings a big stick,” Duvall said. “He’s a businessman. We probably really know his techniques. We’re just scared of who’s going to call his bluff.” Finally, Duvall said the BRIEFLY PENDLETON In a three-peat, Round-Up wins large outdoor rodeo of the year Community Christmas tree to be lit Saturday PENDLETON — The first Pendleton community Christmas tree in quite some time will light up the corner of Court Avenue and Main Street starting this Saturday. As a part of the Pendleton Holiday Stroll, the Pendleton Downtown Association is holding a tree-lighting ceremony in front of Hamley Steak- house. Approached by community member Marcy Willingham about reviving the tradition, association Executive Director Molly Turner said the nonprofit teamed up with several local businesses and organizations to purchase a blue spruce pine from a Walla Walla nursery. Turner said the tree is 12 to 14 feet tall. The event will be kicked off by local musician Murray Dunlap, who will play Christmas tunes from 4:30 to 5 p.m. At 5 p.m., Pendleton City Councilor Neil Brown will give a short speech before the tree is lit. After the holiday season is over, Turner said the tree will be relocated to a Pendleton city park. Dance camp benefits ‘Anson Strong’ PENDLETON — The Rhythmic Mode dance team is using its annual winter dance camp as a fundraiser for the Anson Fairbank family. The Christmas Dance Camp is Saturday from 10-11:15 a.m. Participants of all ages are invited to learn a routine that will be performed during the Pendleton High School girls’ basketball game against Wilsonville. The camp is open to all ages. The cost is $20 per dancer, which includes a T-shirt. All proceeds will benefit Farm Bureau will be shifting its focus next year to the 2018 Farm Bill in Congress. The top priority will be to main- tain federal subsidies for crop insurance. The Farm Bill is not a safety net, Duvall insisted, but rather a food security act. “Hungry countries and hungry armies are not very strong,” he went on to explain. Barry Bushue, Oregon Farm Bureau president, said the group was pleased to have Duvall on hand to talk about national agricultural interests. Closer to home, Bushue said they anticipate a fight heading into the 2018 Legis- lature against the proposed cap-and-invest energy policy, which he said could dramati- cally increase fuel and energy costs for Oregon farmers. “When you’re hauling product and you’re running equipment, those costs add up,” Bushue said. The annual Oregon Farm Bureau meeting is a chance for delegates from each county farm bureau to get together and set their policies for the coming year. The meeting began Tuesday and wrapped up Thursday evening with a reception and banquet. Duvall said local engage- ment is critical moving forward, as state and county voices eventually echo their way back to Washington, D.C. “We have people willing to listen now,” he said. East Oregonian Photo by Antonio Sierra Before being decorated later that evening, the Pendleton community Christmas tree stands in front of Hamley SteakHouse Thursday. the “Anson Strong” project. The 2-year-old, who is fighting leukemia, is the son of Matt and Adrienne Fairbank of Pendleton. The performance is at halftime Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at Warberg Court. Dancers need to report at 6:45 p.m. For more information, contact Debbie at 541-377-0411 or Lora at lora_franks@yahoo.com. Deadline looms for grant applications The fourth quarter deadline for the Umatilla County Economic and Community Development grant program is Wednesday, Dec. 20. Revenue for the program is received from Oregon State Lottery funds. Their purpose is to stimulate economic development, promote tourism and support community development. Both economic development and community development grants can be applied for. Economic development grants focus on supporting efforts that increase jobs and economic growth. They can include assisting a new business in Umatilla County or existing businesses wishing to grow with success in the county. The community grants are focused on projects that enhance a community rather than simply being a donation sponsoring an event, cause or activity. The result should be something tangible with lasting value beyond the end of the project. The committee meets Wednesday, Dec. 27 to review applications. For more information or an application, visit www.co.umatilla.or.us/BCC/ grants.html. For questions, call Commissioner Bill Elfering at 541-276-7111. The Pendleton Round-Up is on a roll. For the third year in a row and fifth time overall, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association awarded the Round-Up Association its Large Outdoor Rodeo Committee of the Year award at its annual awards banquet Wednesday in Las Vegas. The Round-Up Board of Directors have become a familiar sight on stage at the banquet, its 17 members and several former members crowding onto the platform, prompting the emcee to remark that they needed to make more room for the “guys in the red ties.” “We’re going to have to get grandstands to get everyone up here,” he said. If there was a theme to the board members’ comments after their victory, it was their appreciation for Round-Up volunteers. “We’re really up here receiving this honor on behalf of our volunteers. ... We just wouldn’t be able to accomplish this if it wasn’t for our volunteers and the committee members and board members before us,” said Bill Levy, the recently retired Round-Up president. “That’s who really deserves a round of applause.” In a press release distrib- uted after the event, newly elected President Dave O’Neill echoed Levy’s sentiments. “We have such dedicated volunteers, staff and loyal supporters,” O’Neill said in a statement. “We are very proud to bring this award home to our community.” Chosen by its peers in the PRCA, the Round-Up beat out four other large outdoor rodeos for the prize — Caldwell, Idaho; Chey- enne, Wyoming; Dodge City, Kansas; and Ogden, Utah. Other Round-Up profes- sionals were also honored at the PRCA banquet. Gary Rempel won Pickup Man of the Year, Justin Rumford won Clown of the Year, Bobby Kerr won Dress Act of the Year and Dusty Tuck- ness was named Bullfighter of the Year. Additionally, the board credited some of its newer features like the 1910 Room and new “watering holes” like the Double D Bar. All of these factors combined for the Round-Up to set records in sales for tickets, retail items and beverages. “It is wonderful to be acknowledged by your peers for excellence,” Round-Up Publicity Director Randy Thomas said in a statement. “However, the Round-Up story is one of family and friends who give extrava- gantly to make our commu- nity a better place.” Local loan officers bring Guild Mortgage to Northeast Oregon “Unmounted” Band Oregon’s #1 purchase lender now has offices in Pendleton and Hermiston. Christmas Concert Saturday, December 9th • 2PM Elizabethan Manor 44882 Mission Road, Pendleton Find out why so many homeowners go with Guild! Pendleton Branch Elaine Anderson Hermiston Branch Katie Johnson Sales Mgr. | Loan Officer NMLS 4487577 112 S. Main Street Pendleton, OR 97801 O: 541.304.2069 C: 541.429.5029 eanderson@guildmortgage.net Loan Officer NMLS 4523220 1565 N. 1st St. 45 Hermiston, OR 97838 O: 541.371.5562 C: 541.720.2786 katie.johnson@guildmortgage.net Staffed by well-known local residents, Guild Pendleton and Hermiston have the nationally-backed resources and local know-how to serve our unique region. Guild Mortgage Company is an Equal Housing Lender; NMLS 43274. ML-176 distribution. 41 lender status based on the December 2016 Corelogic Report. (817071)