MyEagleNews.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
A11
GUEST COLUMN
Don’t forget who raises your food
I
n recognition of National Ag
Day, March 22, the Oregon
Farm Bureau invites readers
to remember the importance of
farmers and ranchers to their daily
lives.
Because of the productiv-
ity, efficiency, and reliability of
agriculture producers, many of
us don’t have to give a second
thought to where our food comes
from. As long as the grocery store
shelves are stocked, the origin of
food is the furthest thing from our
minds.
So, who are Oregon’s farmers
and ranchers?
There are 67,595 farmers and
ranchers in Oregon, according to
the latest U.S. Census of Agri-
culture. Their average age is
57.9 years and 44% are women.
Despite representing less than
2% of the state population, these
families contribute enormously
to Oregon’s economy, landscape,
and quality of life.
While inflation has driven up
the cost of food, Oregon’s farm-
ers and ranchers are not getting
richer. After accounting for input
costs, ag produc-
ers receive an
average of only 8
cents out of every
dollar spent on
food at home and
away from home.
Anne Marie
The rest goes for
Moss
costs beyond the
farm gate: wages
and materials for production, pro-
cessing, marketing, transporta-
tion, and distribution.
As “price-takers, not
price-makers,” most farmers and
ranchers also have no control of
the price they get for their prod-
ucts. A farmer is not like a shoe
retailer who can simply increase a
price in a store to offset increased
supply costs. These are businesses
that sell their goods through
domestic or international com-
modity markets, which determine
the product’s price. Some farm-
ers don’t know until months after
delivery what they’ll get for their
harvest.
Another factor that distin-
guishes agriculture from other
industries is the fact that 97%
of Oregon farms and ranches
are family-owned and oper-
ated. What other sector can boast
that level of family ownership?
The Oregon Century Farm and
Ranch Program has recognized
1,247 farms as remaining oper-
ational and in the same family
for at least 100 years, and it has
bestowed 47 farms with a sesqui-
centennial award for reaching the
150-year mark.
Few jobs involve wearing so
many hats. Besides tending to
their crops and animals, farm-
ers and ranchers are business
owners, marketers, agronomists,
climate scientists, mechanics,
breeding specialists, pest experts,
purchasing officers, market fore-
casters, water administrators,
accountants, human resources
leads, risk analysts, and 24/7/365
optimists at the same time. Most
farmers can’t afford to hire con-
sultants to do these things for
them; they simply figure them
out and do it themselves.
Farmers are also innovators.
For a sector that’s based on the
most basic of components —
soil, water, sunlight — farmers
and ranchers are frequently early
adaptors to technology. They’re
continually looking to produce
more with less: less water, less
fertilizer, fewer pesticides, less
fuel. This means using drones
to check field health, smart-
phone-controlled irrigation sys-
tems, GPS-driven tractors, or
sophisticated sprayers that con-
trol chemicals down to the
droplet.
And whether a farm is organic,
conventional, biotech, no-tech,
or a combination thereof, ag pro-
ducers have more that unites them
than divides them.
One commonality is an
unshakeable respect for, and love
of, the land. When your livelihood
directly depends upon healthy
soil and ample water, you do what
it takes to preserve it. To squan-
der natural resources or harm
the environment would make no
sense, especially when you live
where you work. It also would be
against the law.
Another binding trait is
immense pride in their product.
SOUTHWORTH BROS., INC.
Ranching with a passion for regenerative use of
our natural resources since 1885.
Licensed in the State of Oregon
Jack & Teresa Southworth
Ed Newton, Brad Smith, Lucas Moore,
Trevor Widder, Don Lovins, Amanda Born
and Garrett Carniglia.
While there are innumerable state
and federal laws that ensure food
safety, no one cares more about
the quality of the end product
than does the family who raised
it. This goes for nonedible crops,
too, like nursery products, hay,
grass seed, and Christmas trees.
The unparalleled commitment to
quality has elevated the interna-
tional status of Oregon agricul-
ture, and consumers around the
world seek out Oregon-grown
blueberries, wheat, and grass
straw.
A third shared value is love of
the lifestyle. Talk with farmers
and ranchers about what they like
most about their jobs and you’ll
hear “being your own boss,”
“being outdoors,” “growing some-
thing from nothing,” and “every
day is different.”
This year March 22 is National
Ag Day, but we at the Oregon
Farm Bureau urge you to remem-
ber and thank farmers and ranch-
ers all year long.
Anne Marie Moss is the com-
munications director for the Ore-
gon Farm Bureau.
Malheur Lumber
Company
Celebrating 39
years of sustaining
Grant County’s
Agriculture
Industry
S285712-1
Lori Hickerson, Principal Broker, GRI • Office: 541-575-2617 • ljh@ortelco.net
Sally Knowles, Broker, GRI • Office: 541-932-4493 • sknowles@ortelco.net
Babette Larson, Broker, GRI • Office: 541-987-2363 • ddwr@ortelco.net
dukewarnerrealtyofeasternoregon.com
S284938-1
Seneca, Oregon
S284939-1
60339 US-26
John Day
541-575-2054
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John Day, OR ~ 541-575-2102
Is hiring for full-time positions
in a variety of different jobs
within our company
• CHIP TRUCK and LOG TRUCK DRIVERS for deliveries
across Eastern Oregon mill locations. We offer competi-
tive pay and benefits! Must have a valid CDL with a safe
driving record on public highways.
• HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS with road construc-
tion experience. Full time - Minimum of 3 years work
experience recommended - Must have valid driver’s
license.
Horse Barns • Storage Buildings • Hay
Barns • Sheds & Building Supplies
Metal Roofing & Siding
751 W Main St. • John Day
541-575-1021
S285782-1
• HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS with logging experi-
ence. Full time - Minimum of 3 years work experience
recommended - Must have valid driver’s license.
• HEAVY DUTY DIESEL MECHANIC/TECHNICIAN - to
work on logging trucks and heavy equipment. Full time
- Minimum of 3 years work experience recommended
- Looking for: Knowledge of heavy equipment repairs
- Skilled in Heavy Duty general electrical, hydraulic
systems and troubleshooting -Work in an organized and
timely manner, must be able to lift/move 50-100 lbs.
-Must have valid driver’s license (CDL preferred or the
ability to obtain one).
• HOOK TENDER with on the ground experience required.
Must have a valid ODL.
• SWING SHIFT LABORERS at our Seneca plant. Ide-
al candidates will be able to work in a fast-paced
environment.
• CARPENTERS who have an understanding of, and
working knowledge with framing and concrete. The
desirable candidate possesses a strong background in
construction with the ability to take direction, and work
independently if needed.
Pay is based on experience. Pre-employment drug
screening. Benefits: Health insurance, holiday pay, sick and
vacation, 401k plan (eligible upon 1 yr anniversary).
If you are interested in joining our team, contact Zach Williams at 541-620-4138
or pick up an application at our office, 60643 Highway 26 in John Day.
S284930-1
