REGION
Friday, January 26, 2018
East Oregonian
Page 3A
Growers follow wheat from farm to market Flu, cold weather
cause blood shortage
By GEORGE PLAVEN
EO Media Group
The end of harvest is just the
beginning of the story for Oregon
wheat, as farmers from around the state
learned Jan. 18-19 at the Oregon Wheat
Commission’s 2018 grower workshop
in Portland.
A group of 15 people gathered at
the commission offices in the historic
Albers Mill overlooking the Willamette
River. From there, they met with experts
and toured facilities to witness firsthand
what happens to their crop once it leaves
the farm.
Oregon farmers typically grow 50
million to 70 million bushels of wheat
every year, with a total economic output
averaging more than $815 million. Tana
Simpson, OWC associate administrator,
said the commission assesses 5 cents
per bushel, which pays for programs
such as export market development,
grower services and university research.
The annual workshop is intended
to show farmers the value they get in
return for their investment, Simpson
said.
“These are your dollars that you’re
going to see over the next few days,”
she said.
The group made its first stop at the
nonprofit Wheat Marketing Center,
which does quality and product testing
using wheat samples from across the
Northwest. Janice Cooper, managing
director at the center, said they also
do hands-on training for overseas
customers making products such as
crackers, noodles and tortillas.
“Most of the work we do is with
Asian and Latin American trade teams
that come here,” Cooper said.
Laboratory supervisor Bon Lee
demonstrated some of the high-tech
equipment he uses to measure things
such as gluten and starch content in
dough. Lee explained in depth how he
performs what is known as the “falling
numbers” test, which checks for sprout
damage in grain.
Low falling numbers has plagued
parts of Washington and Idaho in recent
years due to pre-harvest rains, Lee said.
“When it rains before harvest ...
the sprouting process starts,” Lee said.
“Even if you dry it, it’s too late.”
The vast majority of Oregon wheat
— 85 to 90 percent — is shipped over-
seas. The U.S. Wheat Associates is the
industry’s promotion arm, developing
export markets in more than 100 coun-
tries.
Shawn Campbell, deputy director of
the organization in Portland, said the
most important thing farmers can do is
maintain high quality, especially as the
By JADE MCDOWELL
East Oregonian
George Plaven/Capital Press
Gary Hou, technical director and wheat foods specialist at the Wheat Market-
ing Center, makes crackers in the nonprofit center’s food innovation kitchen.
global marketplace for wheat becomes
more competitive.
Countries such as Japan are partic-
ularly interested in buying high-quality
soft white wheat from the Pacific North-
west, Campbell said, and consumers
there have the income to pay for it.
“If we didn’t give our overseas
customers what they wanted, they’d go
elsewhere and find it there,” Campbell
said.
Next, the group traveled to the Pacific
Export Terminal at the Port of Portland,
where employees work around the clock
loading and unloading wheat shipments
from around the region. The terminal is
capable of moving 900 metric tons of
wheat per hour, while also providing
another layer of quality testing on site
through the USDA.
Kim Harper, quality assurance
specialist, showed how he pulls samples
from wheat shipments and combs over
each individual grain looking for things
such as mold, insect and sprout damage.
“We’re seeing wheat come from
across the West and Midwest,” Harper
said. “We have to keep up on all that.”
The group wrapped up day one with
a stop at a downtown Portland bakery,
and spent day two aboard a river tugboat
and chatting about the latest wheat
research with Oregon State University
scientists.
Blake Rowe, CEO of both the
Oregon Wheat Commission and
Oregon Wheat Growers League, said
workshops are designed to give farmers
a feel for everything that happens off
their farm.
“They’ll actually get an appreciation
of what a customer is looking for,”
Rowe said. “I think that is something
that is helpful to them.”
COMING EVENTS
For a complete listing
of regional events, visit
easternoregonevents.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Recre-
ation Center gymnasium, 510 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Good mu-
sic, new friends and indoor walking
for health. Free. (541-276-8100)
NO SCHOOL OPEN GYM,
9 a.m.-12 p.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. For ages 7-12.
Dodgeball, basketball, foosball,
pool, ping pong and more. Mini-
mum 15, maximum 40, must be
registered 2 days prior. Registra-
tion fee of $5 includes a snack.
(541-276-8100)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME,
10:15 a.m., Hermiston Public Li-
brary, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Herm-
iston. For children from 3-6 years
old. (541-567-2882)
TODDLER STORY TIME,
10:15-11 a.m., Pendleton Public
Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave.,
Pendleton. (541-966-0380)
NO SCHOOL MAKE-AND-
TAKE CRAFTS, 10:30 a.m.-12
p.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton.
Out of school with nothing to do?
Kids ages 8 and up can drop in for
a make-and-take workshop. Free.
(Kaisa Hill 541-278-9201)
STORY AND CRAFT TIME,
2 p.m., Echo Public Library, 20 S.
Bonanza, Echo. (541-376-8411)
GALE GORRORD BENEFIT
DINNER, 5-7 p.m., Stanfield Com-
munity Center, 225 W. Roosevelt
Ave., Stanfield. Lasagna, salad,
bread and drink by donation, fol-
lowed by a dessert auction. All
proceeds benefit the Gale Gorrord
family. (Rosalie Emerson 541-720-
9509)
VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Herm-
iston VFW, 45 W. Cherry St.,
Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m.,
games begin at 7 p.m. Everyone
welcome. (541-567-6219)
CHICKS WITH HITS TOUR, 8
p.m., Wildhorse Resort & Casino,
46510 Wildhorse Blvd., Pendle-
ton. Country legends Pam Tillis,
Terri Clark and Suzy Bogguss will
bring their greatest hits to Eastern
Oregon. Tickets are $49 for gen-
eral admission, $69 for premium
seats and $79 for platinum seats
(first three rows), available at the
Wildhorse Gift Shop or online. 21
and older only; country dance after
party will follow in Cayuse Hall for
all ticket holders. (800-654-5493)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
ADULT OPEN GYM, 7-8 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center, 510
S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Pick-
up basketball for adults only. Free.
(541-276-8100)
IMAC BREAKFAST FUND-
RAISER, 7:30-10:30 a.m., Stokes
Landing Senior Center, 150 Co-
lumbia Lane, Irrigon. Benefits the
Irrigon Multicultural Arts Center
project. Costs $4.50. (Peggy Price
541-567-3806)
L’IL BUCKS OPEN GYM,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. For students in
Contributed photo
Chicks with Hits — featuring Terri Clark, Pam Tillis and
Suzy Bogguss — will perform Saturday at Wildhorse
Resort & Casino.
first through third grades. (541-
276-8100)
PARKING LOT SALE, 8:30-
11:30 a.m., Agape House, 500 W.
Harper Road, Hermiston. Clothing
five items for $1, furniture and bicy-
cles as marked and knick-knacks
you name the price. Sale will be
indoors in inclement weather. Do-
nations accepted. (Dave 541-567-
8774)
FUNDRAISER BAZAAR, 9
a.m.-3 p.m., Pendleton Conven-
tion Center, 1601 Westgate, Pend-
leton. Fundraiser bazaar includes
vendors, food available for pur-
chase and special guest appear-
ances with Moana and Iron Man
for the kids. Proceeds help fund
a mission trip to Guatemala. Free
admission. (Tanna King 541-304-
9255)
FREE FOR ALL, 9:30-10:15
a.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton.
Free art classes for children up to
age 12. Children under 8 should
be accompanied by an adult. (Ro-
berta Lavadour 541-278-9201)
YARN CLUB, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.,
Hermiston Public Library, 235 E.
Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541-567-
2882)
FAMILY HISTORY WORK-
SHOPS, 10 a.m., Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850
S.W. 11th St., Hermiston. Work-
shops, photo scanning and more.
(Stephanie Blackburn 541-567-
6251)
ARTWORKZ JUNIOR ART
SHOW OPENING EXHIBIT, 10
a.m., Tamastslikt Cultural Institute,
47106 Wildhorse Blvd., Pendleton.
View artwork of local youth 19 and
under in a variety of mediums. On
display through March 17. Free
admission opening day only. (Ran-
dall Melton 541-429-7720)
SATURDAY CRAFTS FOR
KIDS, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Herm-
iston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys
Ave., Hermiston. Drop-in craft time
for kids. Free. (541-567-2882)
HIP & HANDMADE, 11 a.m.-
12 p.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendle-
ton. Free drop-in project class for
adults. (Roberta Lavadour 541-
278-9201)
JEWELRY MAKING: BEAD
STRINGING, 12-2 p.m., Pendleton
Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St.,
Pendleton. Learn to string beads
on jewelry wire to make necklaces
and bracelets. Learn about various
stringing materials, bead, clasps,
and other components needed
to make single strand or multiple
strand jewelry. Two consecutive
classes. Cost is $30 for members,
$35 for non-members. (Kaisa Hil
541-278-9201)
PAPER MACHE FOR KIDS,
12:30-2 p.m., Pendleton Center for
the Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendle-
ton. Learn the techniques and pos-
sibilities of paper and paste sculp-
tures, including pinatas, masks
and more. Drop-in class for ages
7-12, cost is $10 per session. (Kai-
sa Hill 541-278-9201)
MELONVILLE
COMEDY
FESTIVAL, 8 p.m., Hermiston
Community Center, 415 S. High-
way 395, Hermiston. Opener
Cory Michael will be followed by
co-headliners Kermit Apio and
Derek Richard. Refreshments will
be available for purchase. Tickets
are $35, available at the Hermiston
Community Center. (Warren Smith
541-561-7488)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
KIDS KLUB, 9:30 a.m., First
Christian Church, 518 S. Main St.,
Milton-Freewater. For children of
all ages. Includes arts, crafts, mu-
sic and more. Free. (Janet Collins
541-938-3854)
SPECIAL NEEDS OPEN
GYM, 12-1:30 p.m., Pendleton
Recreation Center, 510 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Free for
special needs children and fami-
lies. (541-276-8100)
“BUILDING A CULTURE
OF LIFE” FUNDRAISING BAN-
QUET, 5-7 p.m., Hermiston Com-
munity Center, 415 S. Highway
395, Hermiston. Guest speaker is
Kirk Walden, author of “The Wall”
and longtime pro-life participant.
Free, but donations accepted.
Register by calling the center, or
email info@trucareprc.com with
name, address, phone number
and number attending. (Debbie
Cissna 541-567-2393)
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6:30-
8:30 p.m., Pendleton Recreation
Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave.,
Pendleton. Half-court basketball.
Adults only. (541-276-8100)
MONDAY, JANUARY 29
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center gymnasium, 510
S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
Good music, new friends and
indoor walking for health. Free.
(541-276-8100)
TOT TIME, 10-11 a.m., Pend-
leton Recreation Center, 510
S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. For
children ages 0-5, $1 per child.
(541-276-8100)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME,
10:30 a.m., Athena Public Library,
418 E. Main St., Athena. For ages
birth to 6. (541-566-2470)
PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL
SERVICE, 12-1 p.m., Pendleton
Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th
St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or
$6 for those under 60. Pool, puz-
zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time
Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For Meals On Wheels, call 541-
276-1926. (541-276-7101)
ART STUDIO, 4-5:30 p.m.,
Pendleton Center for the Arts,
214 N. Main St., Pendleton. Free
class for ages 7-12 to develop
skills and encourage art explora-
tion. (Roberta Lavadour 541-278-
9201)
The Red Cross is facing
a “critical” blood shortage
as a particularly widespread
flu season and cold weather
have kept people from
donating.
Record-setting
low
temperatures and other
severe weather in some
parts of the country has
caused the cancellation of
550 blood drives so far in
January, representing 16,500
donations that went uncol-
lected, while blood drives
that remained on schedule
have seen large numbers of
people cancel their appoint-
ment due to illness.
“Blood and platelet
donations are currently
being distributed to hospitals
faster than they are coming
in,” Neil Tosuntikool, donor
recruitment director of the
Pacific Northwest Red Cross
Blood Services Region, said
in a statement. “Donors are
critically needed to restock
the shelves for patients in
their community as well
as areas where donors
are unable to give due to
inclement weather.”
According to the Red
Cross, the organization
accounts for about 40
percent of the nation’s blood
supply and needs at least
13,000 blood and platelet
donations per day to keep
up with demand. The most
useful blood donations
come from those with
O-negative blood, since it’s
the universal blood type that
can be used in any patient,
“Donors are
critically need-
ed to restock
the shelves for
patients.”
— Neil Tosuntikool,
donor recruitment director
of Pacific Northwest Red
Cross Blood Services Region
while AB-positive is the
universal plasma donor.
Blood drive locations can
be found online at redcross-
blood.org or by down-
loading the Red Cross Blood
App, which allows users
to locate drives, schedule
appointments, track their
donations and earn rewards.
Potential donors can also
call 1-800-733-2767.
The next Red Cross blood
drive scheduled in Umatilla
County is on Monday 1:30-
6:30 p.m. at McLoughlin
High School, 120 S. Main
in Milton-Freewater. Good
Shepherd Medical Center in
Hermiston and St. Anthony
Hospital in Pendleton each
have their next monthly
blood drive on Feb. 19. For
residents looking to donate
sooner, Walla Walla and the
Tri-Cities have a variety of
blood drive options in the
next month. Morrow County
does not have any listed on
the Red Cross website in the
next month.
———
Contact Jade McDowell
at jmcdowell@eastorego-
nian.com or 541-564-4536.
BRIEFLY
Dog alerts family
to porch fire
HERMISTON — A
family’s dog helped save
their home on Thursday
morning after it alerted
them to a fire on their
porch.
Umatilla County Fire
District 1 battalion chief
Jimmy Davis said the
fire caused “very minor
damage in total” to the
house on Sagebrush Road
north of Hermiston after
being caught quickly. He
said it was believed to
have been started by an
overloaded extension cord
hooked to a heat lamp that
had been set up for the dog
on the covered porch.
The family called 911
about 8:15 a.m. after the
dog began barking, and
UCFD1 responded. No one
was injured in the incident.
Book Talk
features ‘A Man
Called Ove’
STANFIELD — A feel-
good story about a cranky
old man who gets a crash
course in relationships
with his new neighbors is
the topic of a book club
discussion in Stanfield.
The public is invited
to discuss “A Man Called
Ove” by Fredrik Backman
during the upcoming Book
Talk. The gathering is
Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.
at the Stanfield Public
Library, 180 W. Coe Ave.
Treats will be served.
A New York Times
bestseller, the story unfolds
after the neighbors crash
into the curmudgeon’s
mailbox. It leads to a heart-
warming and comical tale
of crazy cats, unexpected
friendship and the art of
backing up a U-Haul.
Multiple copies of
the book are available
at the library. For more
information, call 541-449-
1254.
AARP offers
driving refresher
course
MILTON-
FREEWATER — A new
and enhanced driving class
offers current information
about rules of the road.
Taught by volunteer
instructor Kevin Oleson,
the AARP Smart Driver
course is Friday, Feb. 16
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at
Blue Mountain Community
College, 311 N. Columbia
St., Milton-Freewater.
The fee is $15 for AARP
members and $20 for
non-members.
Participants also will
receive information about
how age-related factors can
impact driving and ways to
make adjustments. While
the course is designed for
older drivers, anyone with
a license is welcome to
attend.
For more information
or to register, call 509-938-
7176.
The family of the late
Bob Jensen
wishes to extend our sincere
gratitude to all who helped and
supported us during the time
of our loss. Thank you for your
thoughtfulness and concern with
food, fl owers, memorials, cards
and words of comfort.
Thanks to the special people who
assisted with the Memorial Service
and made it inspirational for
our family and friends.
We appreciated the great care and
support provided by the Hospice
professionals and volunteers.