SIX s p r in t I-air 4 Ko4ni I dltlun \ugvul 7. I HU 4-H teens learn importance of Columbia River ports h>p from led Swavne Kvans. C arl Martin III Tra vw Harrison Kevin Huge». Jennifer Kill. I’ atty Alti/rr Middle row Mike Van Srhoiack. Susan i ’lorharsky Shannon McLaughlin. Nam e Wright, Billy Ammons Front row Benji Pearson. Jill Nelson. Katie Doherty Morrow County 4-H teens Jill Nelvm llerek lloelt Ann llnbhs Gibb Kvans, Swavne Kvans. and Jennifer Kill are in the midst of an educational exchange with 4 II teens in Portland The purpose is to create an awareness of the importance of the Columbia Kiver and the Port of Portland in moving Morrow County products to markets throughout the I SA and the world, according to (tS l! Kxtension Agent Steve Campbell Portland teens coming to Morrow County will gain an appreciation for the cost, in terms of dollars and lime associated with the production of various products They will also be involved in the harvest, storage and transportation of local agri cultural products Betty Morrison D M Kxtension Agent in Multnomah County con ceived the idea and chose Morrow County due to its well developed and diversified port She then contacted Steve Campbell in Morrow County and the year long process of organic mg was initiated The first leg of the exchange was conducted July 2H 71 when the six 4 H ers. Heppner Mayor Cara Costa, and Steve Campliell were hosted in Portland They spent half a day with the It S Arm y Corps of Kngineers and learned what is in volved in keeping the river open to ocean traffic to Portland They rode a survey vessel making depth sur veyx on the channel and observed how the computer sorts and plots the information The Maritime Museum put on a special program for the group de tailing the history of commerce on GOURM ET Says To BRA N D S è y ,J Morrow County our fries Iheriver Kntilled When the Kiver was a Road." it was very informa live and provided a useful link between past developm ent and present use of the river The highpoint of the trip was a visit to Columbia Grain Inc ia soley owned subsidiary of a Japanese trading company i and a visit to a Korean bulk cargo ship which was loading Northwest wheat for export The 22.1 meter 44 IXX) Ion v essel is capable of moving 4H.MJU tons of grain to Asia in one trip The 4 H ers were impressed with both the sire of the vessel and the spotlrss condition of the interior and exterior The trip was culminated with a three hour experience at the sailing school when* they learned to sail a I n i , it The local 4 II ers will return the hospitality they received by hosting the Multnomah ( Hunts group in Morrow County August 4n Premium Books still available Kxtra premium tmoks may he picked up at the Kair Office, the Kxtension Office, the Heppner Gazette-Times in Heppner In lone, contact Bill Broderick for a copy Irrigon residents my pick up a copy of the Premium Book at the county office building Books are also available at The Knterprise news paper office next to the [wist office in Boardman It is important that anyone who plans to enter an exhibit has a premium hook so that the exhibit can he entered at the proper time and in the correct department and division