Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1972)
IIKPPM'K (ORK.) fiAZKTTF'TIMKS, Thursday, Dei-ember H, IS72 Heppner-Gazette-Titnes Fewer Farmers Feed & Clothe More People Fewer Oregon farms are producing more and more of the state's total food and fiber. Fewer people are living on farms and even less claim "farmer" as their occupation. These are just two of the facts that emerged in a review of Oregon agriculture during National Farm-City Week Oregon, as elsewhere in the I'.S., is experiencing a trend toward larger and larger farms producing more and more of the total agricultural output. In fact, farms with sales of $100,000 or more sell 40 percent of all agricultural production in Oregon even though they are only three percent of the total farms in the state, reports Rotert Coppedge, Oregon State University extension agricultural economist. Known as Class la farms, these large-scale operations numbered 862 in the 19 Census of Agriculture, up trom the 512 reported in the 1964 census. Their average size was 5.483 acres in comparison w ith an average of 620 acres for all farms in Oregon. The value of land buildings on these farms was $481 million and averaged $558,000 per farm, in comparison with an average investment of $93,000 for all farms. Coppedge notes. Of the large scale farming operations. 3.5 percent are cash grain farms, 13.2 percent are in other field crops. 9.4 percent in vegetables, 10.7 percent in fruits and nuts, 10.4 percent in poultry, 6.6 percent in dairy, 13.6 percent in livestock ranches, and 13.7 percent in other livestock other than poultry and dairy. Most of the operators are part owners, with 514 of the M2 operators m this category Full time owners numbered 279 and the remaining were tenant-farmers Some 471 of the large scale farms are individual or family farms, with 200 operated by partnerships and 187 run as corporation farms, Of the corporation farms. 178 have ten or fewer shareholders Other forms of ownership account for four farms However. Copcdge points out. even these large scale oH'ratrs share one fact in common with the smaller farmers: many also report working off the farm during the year. Nearh too reported working less than days off the farm during the year, while "ti worked more than too days off the farm. This reflects another trend in Oregon Agriculture, Coppedge points out. which has seen increasing numbers of farmers working off the farm and many others, who live m town, claiming "farmer" as their principal occupation Farming is listed as the principal occupation of 15.493 people in Oregon, according to the 1970 I'.S Census of Population, with alxuit two-thirds classified as part of the rural farm population. The rest claiming farming as their occupation listi-d rural non-farm or city addresses. Just barely one-fifth of employed people living on Oregon farms reported their principal occupation as farmer or farm operators. The percentage was higher in Eastern Oregon, but Western Oregon's farm population was engaged to a very large degree in non-farm occupations, the economist finds. area was resxnsille for a 5.000 gallon wilier loss Wed. when a check valve in the Otv of Irngon well pump station froze and broke. The station was cheeked, early in the dav and additional heat turned on'. The valve had evidently frozen dur ing the night and when thawed it caused the water loss. stun hi not manliest))' unrea sonable, it will he sustained Such determination would not lie considered unreasonable as long as ( I ) there is a reasonable relationship between the amount of land which is purchased by the Game Com mission as a fishing access Rite and the fishing areu which is oiened up to anglers, and (2) none of the prniierty being used by the (lamp Commission and classified by it as a fishing access site, is being used for any other game management purposes. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sitton and Mrs. Com Hurnside of Spray were in The Dalles Saturday for shopping. visit with Mr. and Mrs. Hon Cecil and daughter Jackie. They also Hent some time in llermiston visiting relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson went to The Dalles Saturday for shopping. Kinzua Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Rollis were here from Heppner to visit Mr. and Mrs. Dale Sargent Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Hubbell were in Portland over the weekend visiting relatives and to do some shopping. Mr. and Mrs. Farl Norris spent the weekend in Bend attending the Central Oregon District Council. On Sunday they visited in Prineville with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ferrcl and with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Norris. Senators Ask Anti Erosion Wheat Strain 4IINF.WS The Two Trackers 4-11 horse club held a meeting on Tuesday Dec. 5 with 14 members present. We had two new members They are Honnie Schwarz and Urian Huschke. We worked on our records and plan to do this at each meeting. We also discussed plans for the coming year. It was decided to make a scraplMiok of the club's activities. Refreshments were served by Mary Abrams and Gladys Alderman. Our next meeting will be on the first Tuesday in January. iancy Miller, Reporter Also going to Rend for the weekend to attend the Central Oregon District Council meet were Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Rarzee and Mr. and Mrs. Lige Ijong of Fossil. Pastor and Mrs. Mai went to Hoardman Monday to partici pate in a day of Friendship and Prayer at the Hoardman Community Church. Also attending the Central Oregon District were Mr. and Mrs. Omar Stubblefield. They were accompanied by Mrs. John weaser and daughter Lisa who stayed to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rrwin Carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Todd and sons spent Saturday in The Dalles on business. The snowfall Saturday and colder weather brought out devotees of the sport of Snow mobilmg. The many hills around made this ideal, with the younger fry out on sleds and inner tutes. Mr. and Mrs. Orville Deadly went to The Dalles Saturday to do some shopping. In The Dalles Saturday for shopping were Mr. and Mrs. Howard Rice. Mr. and Mrs. I.ee Bailey went to The Dalles Monday evening for I.ec to enter The Dalles General Hospital for Tuesday morning surgery. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Samples of Heppner brought Mrs. Jerry Samples home Friday from the Heppner Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for the past week. Mrs. Stanley Renson went to Rend last week to take her grandchildren to meet their parents, .Mr. and Mrs. Pat Mayherry of Roise, Idaho. The Senkbiehl children had spent several days of their Thank giving vacation here. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cecil and son Kevin and Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Cecil and daughter Ruby went to Pendleton Friday w here they visited Mr. and Mrs. Ron Cecil and daughter Jackie. Mr. and Mrs. Rick Renson and Mrs. Clarence Renson went to Prineville Saturday to do some shopping. Mr. and Mrs Vernon Cecil went to the Tri-Cities area over the weekend and to Pendleton to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Cecil and Julie Zinter of Heppner visited Saturday with Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Cecil. Increased research to combat soil and water erosion in Eastern Oregon and Washington was urged today by the two Northwest members of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Senators Warren Magnuson iD-Washi and Mark Hatfield (R-Ore) asked Prsident Nixon to increase funding for soil erosion research in the next Department of Agriculture budget proposal. The two Senators urged in a letter to the President that $882,000 be appropriated for a joint research project at the Pendleton and Pullman Agriculture Research Centers. The project would help develop a new strain of wheat that could better combat severe winter erosion. "Over 30 million tons of soil are lost annually due to wind and wa. r erosion in this wheat-growing region," Hatfield said. "This is nearly one third of the total national loss." "Development of a new wheat strain would enrich the productivity of the wheatlands, enhance the environment, and contribute to economic growth in the region." Hatfield said. He said environmental damage now occurs through siltation of streams due to erosion and from increasing fertilizer usage. The two Senators added $300,000 to begin the research in an appropriations bill in the closing days of the last Congress, but the funds were dropped in Conference. The Magnuson-Hatfield proposal has the support of all Northw est Senators and of the Wheat Growers Associations of the Northwest states. Irrigon Couple to Celebrate 25th Anniversary R FRANCES ROSE WILSON there will be a Silver. 25th Wedding Anniversary Open House, honoring .Mac and Hazel McRae. on Dec. 23. from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Lion's Hall in Irrigon. They were married in Irrigon on Dec. 24. 1947 and have resided here since tnat time. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Noble and other members of their family cordially invite all their friends and families to join them at their reception. ranged. "THE OTHER FELLOW" . ."When the other fellow takes a long time, he's slow. But when I take a long time, I'm thorough. When the other fellow doesn't send in his reports, he's lazy. But when I don't do it, I'm too busy. When the other fellow does something without being told, he's overstepping his bounds. When I do, that's initiative! "When the other fellow sells with a hard-sell pitch, he's using high pressure. But when I do it, I'm being firm. When the other fellow pleases the boss, he's polishing the brass. But when I please the boss, that's cooperation. When the other fellow overlooks the rules of etiquette, hes rude. But when I skip a few rules, I'm original. When the other fellow gets ahead, he's getting breaks. But when I manage to get ahead, it's hard Mayor Chester Wilson re ported the City of Irngon's portion of the Federal Revenue share was received this week in the amount of S437. The payment covers the first half of the 1972 period and will be recommended for needed capital improvements, accord ing to Wilson. .Ministers Honored The Rev. ami Mrs. James Sebastion. pastors of the llermiston First Baptist Church and the The Rev. and Mrs Chas Ashby, pastors of the Irrigon Community' Baptist Church, were honored at the potluck dinner for the Umatilla Baptist Association, as new ministers in the area. The Rev. Sebastion comes from Chey enne and the Rev. Ashby lives in Pendleton and drives to Irrigon. The ministers were given boutonnieres while their wives received a corsage. The "Good News Singers" sang for the gathering. work," Published by The Dartnell Sales Service Chili Feed The Assembly of God Church sponsored a chili feed Sunday, with the proceeds from the dinner going toward the ex penses of the Sunday School bus. The dinner was held in the basement of the parsonage, which has recently been reno vated. Wall paneling and carpeting was installed and linoleum was laid in the kitchen area, which had been rear- (iMd ews Singers The (iood News Singers, who are either members or former members of the Irrigon Com munity Baptist Church, have been much in demand in churches of this area. They have had singing engagements in the following churches in the past 2 weeks; Basin City. Wash., Heppner, Assembly of God. Kennewiek Baptist, Trinity Baptist Church in La Grande. Umatilla Baptist As sociation dinner, and Finlev, Wash. WATER LOST Cold weather in the Irrigon ELF DO YOURS FAVOR BUY YOUR WIFE A DISHWA 7 MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM KitchenAid Whirlpool L m 3 LW LSiiaLb - - -mm - - - - --- - - - - - - - - SHER NOW ONLY New Oster Super Grill reg. $34.95 $30.00 Toastmaster Giant Size Griddle reg. $33.50 NOW $29.95 Many Other Large and Small Appliances to Choose From IF 3 Li M 676-5811 HEPPNER PROPERTY TAX FAX If you have a question concerning real or personal property please state all th facts as briefly as possible nd mail it to ' your COUNTY ASSESSOR Jovce Ik'rgstrom under the name "PROPERTY TAX FAX". Please ask only one question per sheet Then watch this column for the answer. QUESTION': Oregon law grants a veteran's exemption of $7,500 of assessed value to "the widow remaining unmarried of a w ar veteran, but her exemption shall apply only to the period preceding the date of her first remarriage." This provision has been construed to mean that when a war veteran's widow remarries, and the second husband dies or the widow is divorced from the second husband, her right to the veteran's exemption is not reinstated A inewi federal law provides that the remarriage shall not bar a widow's benefits if the remarriage has been terminated by death or has been dissolved by a court. Does this tederai taw change the prior opinions of the Department? ANSWER: No. From the legislative history of the federal law, it is clearly apparent that the law was dealing only with Veteran's Administration benefits, and did not concern itself with benefits from other sources. QUESTION: lama veteran with 4o percent disability. I received the in terest in my home as the beneficiary of an (equitable) life estate derived from a testamentary trust. My interest is on record and is for my life subject to prior termination at my option. If I qualify as a disabled veteran could I get a homestead exemption? ANSWER: Yes. Under the definition of a homestead your interest is clearly sufficient. Your interest would also be sufficient to meet ownership requirements of the property tax relief law. QUESTION: Our church owns a building which it is using in the welfare program of the church to reclaim and repair donated clothing which is then distrib uted free of charge to the needy. Can we apply for a property tax exemption on this building? ANSWER: Yes. The 1971 legislature added a subsection to ORS 307.130 which grants exemption to retail stores dealing exclus ively in donated inventory where the proceeds of the sale of goods sold to general public support a welfare program. In view of several court decisions and Attorney General opinions, it appears that the general rule is that a corporation which is chartered to engage in charit able and benevolent activities in addition to its religious pur poses, can qualify under 307.130, if it otherwise meets the standards of that statute. QUESTION: In 1971 the legislature amended ORS 496.340 to exempt from taxation real property of the State Game Commission used for " fishing access sites or impoundments ." What is the meaning of the above statement. ANSWER: No definitions are provided in the law either for fishing access sites or for impoundments; 'however it appears clear that the word impoundments" applies to water which is impounded behind a dam. The State Game Commission has found it necessary to purchase sizeable tracts of land to obtain fishing access to various bodies of water. They were purchased to provide angler access and are not used for any other game management purposes. The Game Commission has wide discretion in determining what lands qualify for "fishing access sites" and so long as the determination of the Commis- Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hampton went to Eugene Saturday to take Butch Carey to have medical care. Going to Portland for a day of shopping on Saturday were Mrs. Chuck Mitchell, Mrs. Uirri Hire, Mrs. Vic Wallace, and Mrs. Ravmond Reid. CHRISTMAS SHOPPING HOURS The Merchants plan to be open evening hours to allow shoppers more time for gift selection. They will stay open until 8:30 on Fridays Dec. 15 and 22 as well as Dec. 20 and 21 for last minute shoppers. HOLD HI HEAT, KEEP OUT COLD I (T.c Windows . . DoorsN. . Mr. and Mrs. Dave Mattison and daughters went to The Dalles Saturday for shopping. Mr. and Mrs. Grady Rogers and daughter Pam went to Hood River and The Dalles on Saturday for shopping. ur rr hor jr. ureaTauauc . Jil I 4U UUvtl. Saiuyto I J '0-v ImMII Anyone I I I lMGENUINE FLEX-0 GLASS iikxI Cn 0 II J t'oniter than poly. " wdint N V Mr and Mrs. Trop Carey and family went to The Dalles Saturday for a day of shopping. GENUINE FLEX -O GLASS is tar (frontier than poly- ethylene il i the only plastic window matariaL. GUARANTEED 2 FULL YEARS AT YOUR HARDWARE. LUMBER & BUILDING SUPPLY STORE loo to tri nam rt in toif tor yew pfotociaon 4 ft. indtftt $0 Intipffnsivo An yon Cn Afford It WrarpBrot Chicago oO I Pieftoori'nnafttct&tnco 194 rri (S is now dealer for Farm Equipment Rod Weeders Cultivators COMPLETE PART and SERVICE Available At All Times rain roiversMc u Lexington, Oregon Ph. 909-8221