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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2015)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015 3 B Almonds — not just from California anymore! Florence-area farmer John Yager harvested his first crop of hard shell almonds in September B Y J ACK D AVIS Siuslaw News California produces the lion’s share of almonds grown in the United States, more than any other state and country in the world. Local farmer John Yager probably won’t make a dent in those statistics, but in early fall, he harvested his first crop of locally grown hard-shell almonds from his 35 two-year-old almond trees. “These hard-shell almonds are different from regular almonds in that they have a stronger almond flavor,” Yager explained. He likened the intense fla- vor to that of vanilla. They were developed out- side of the United States. “The reason we can grow these almonds in this climate is that they are highly disease resistant,” Yager said. “Regular almonds are very susceptible to brown rot, which is a very common disease of stone fruit, like prunes and plumbs. “A regular almond tree will bear almost no almonds, if it even lives in this cli- mate,” he continued. “These hard-shell almonds are very disease resistant. You can grow these here relatively easy, as easy or easier than growing a peach.” The limited first-year har- vest is because hard-shell almond trees only produce almonds from established branches, not new growth. Yager plans to expand his almond orchard to 100 trees by next year. “Hard-shell almond trees will reach maturity within seven years,” Yager said. “At maturity, they can produce 50 pounds per tree.” Yager sees a fundamental shift in Oregon orchards. Historically productive Oregon orchard crops such as prunes and walnuts have shifted to California. But now Yager sees a reversal in that trend for hard-shell almonds. “I think in Oregon there is a fledgling industry with Come and play with us 541-999-8632 Teresa Lofy tlofy@bmi.net Let me Showcase your property. PHOTOS BY JACK DAVIS/SIUSLAW NEWS hard-shell almonds,” he said. Yager and his wife Marie have lived in the Florence area since 1995. They grow organic pro- duce, nuts and fruit on their 171-acre farm, southeast of Florence, that are sold at the local farmers’ market and through Real Food Co-op. __________ Local farmer John Yager shows off his first harvest of hard shell almonds from his 35 two-year-old almond trees. He harvested the almonds in September. Follow Jack on Twitter @SNews_Jack. Email him at jack@thesiuslawnews.com. PORT OF SIUSLAW HIKER/BIKER CAMPGROUND • Restrooms • Showers • WiFi • Laundry • Adjacent to Siuslaw River & Estuary WALK-INS WELCOME! $8.00 PERSON/NIGHT 7 consecutive nights stay limit per month WALK OR BIKE IN ONLY - NO VEHICLES FOR RESERVATIONS 541-997-3040 www.portofsiuslaw.com Desiree Johnson Principal Broker 541 999-5223 1 st & Harbor • Florence, OR 97439 email:campground@portofsiuslaw.com 94360 Upper Deadwood Creek Rd – 12 acre for- est land with septic approved and power at lot line. Enjoy privacy, fish runs and wildlife on your own quiet retreat. $114,000. #2397-14386369 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Denture Services, Inc. COMPLETE DENTURE SERVICE R&R 541-991-3335 RC Hobby Shop Your “1” stop shop for the HOLIDAYS! Drones, RC Cars, Planes, Boats, Quadcopters, Rockets, Telescopes, games and more! NOW 185 Nopal St. in Old Town-Florence www.rrrchobbyshop.com OPEN Tues - S un 10 - 5:3 0 Former Forest Service chief to discuss memoir The Siuslaw National Forest on the Oregon coast once saw some of the bitter- est battles over old-growth logging in the Pacific Northwest. But a shift towards ecolog- ical restoration, guided by the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan and innovative leader- ship, has made the Siuslaw a model for conflict-free man- agement. Jim Furnish, former Forest Supervisor in the Siuslaw region, was an inte- gral part of this leadership and transition. Hear from Furnish, who will present excerpts from his new memoir, “Towards a Natural Forest: The Forest Service in Transition,” which explores the tumul- tuous transition he experi- enced within the federal agency charged with balanc- ing management on National Forests across the country. Currently a consulting forester in the Washington Relay For Life William A. Foster, L.D Denture wearer Sherry Offi ce Manager FREE CONSULTATIONS • Dentures • Relines • Partials • Repairs • Implant Retained Dentures William A. Foster, L.D. “Locally Owned and Operated” Serving the Central Oregon Coast Emergency Appointments Available Denture Services, Inc. 524 Laurel Street, Florence 541-997-6054 of Florence Teams are forming now… You’re invited! Want to learn more about forming a team or becoming a volunteer… Monday, Dec. 14th @ 6 pm- Craig’s BBQ 1161 Hwy. 101 • Florence Event/Team details: • Aug. 13-14, 2016 10 am-10 am • Teams of 8-15 members (family & friends or business teams) • 2016 Event theme: Lights! Camera! Cure! • FREE registration! • Live music, silent auction, games, food and more! • Make Relay your new family tradition to honor the survivors in your life and remember loved ones lost. D.C. area, Furnish has 34 years of experience in the US Forest Service, including as Deputy Chief of the agency. Also featured is the film “Seeing the Forest” by film- maker and journalist Alan Honick, which tells the story of how the Siuslaw National Forest became a pioneer in ecosystem restora- tion and innovative manage- ment; and how people from all sides have come together to create a sustainable future for the forest and the human community that depends on it. Furnish will be joined by panelists Paul Engelmeyer with the Audubon Society, Chandra LeGue with Oregon Wild, and Dave Eisler of the Siuslaw Stewardship Group to discuss the past, present, and future of management of public lands in the Siuslaw National Forest. The event takes place Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., at City Lights Cinemas on Highway 101 in Florence. The evening is by present- ed by the Siuslaw Watershed Council and Siuslaw Stewardship Group. Admission is free. It’s not like her. Mom has always been so patient, but now when I ask her questions she gets angry. We can help. Call us with questions about aging and Alzheimers. 1-855-ORE-ADRC HelpForAlz.org Sign-Up TODAY at: www.RelayForLife.org/FlorenceOR Local contact: Sheryll Loftin, 541.997.7664, hecetabeachrvpark@yahoo.com OREGON DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM
