The Environment and the 75th Legislature

According to the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), a coalition of 45 environmental groups from around the state, the 75th legislature took commendable action toward protecting and bolstering Oregon’s environment during the session that ended June 29.

Legislators passed bills to create marine reserves, to phase out the toxic flame retardant decaBDE, to cut energy waste, to protect the Metolius River basin, to fight invasive species, to cut pollution from fuel, to promote water conservation, to limit field burning, and to cut phosphorus from household dishwasher soap. Overall, legislative members passed more than 30 pro-environment bills.

“Despite significant budget challenges, Oregon’s elected leaders answered the call of Oregonians around the state who believe that protecting our unique natural legacy is a priority. We’re grateful for their work,” said Evan Manvel, Legislative Affairs Director for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Oregon Conservation Network.

The news wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, however.

“But those same leaders also rolled back the state’s commitment to clean energy and missed opportunities to create local jobs at precisely the moment when the state really needs economic innovation. That’s been sobering.”

Below is a summary of some of the key environmental bills that passed this session:

• House Bill 3013A, a bill to create marine reserves, outlines a detailed plan and timeline to complete evaluation of six potential marine reserve sites recommended by the Governor’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council.

• Senate Bill 596, the toxic flame retardant bill, aims to ban the use of decabrominated diphenyl ether (deca) flame retardant by phasing out the use of deca in new consumer products including computers, televisions, upholstered furniture, and mattresses.

• House Bill 2228, the Rural Unemployment Reductions and Living-Wage Jobs Opportunities Stability Act, will help preserve wildlife habitat and create public recreation opportunities, while fostering sustainable timber practices.

• Senate Bill 79, a bill to promote Energy Efficient Buildings, will cut energy waste from buildings by 10 to 25 percent by ensuring building codes are updated to increase energy efficiency.

To read these and other bills considered during the session, visit www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws/

Oregon farm stands

Salem area residents eagerly await the Salem Saturday Market, the Wednesday Farmers’ Market and other area farmers’ markets each year to shop for local produce, welcome the return of sunshine, and stroll lazily in an array of fresh and handmade products with like-minded citizens.

With an increasing interest in buying locally, especially local foods, more farmers are establishing farm stands in an effort to sell their products directly. How are farm stands different from farmers’ markets? Instead of the farm going to the customer, the customer goes to the farm.

John Zielinski, of E.Z. Orchards Farm Market in the Salem area, which offers a variety of products including berries, peaches, apples, and pears, never has to leave his own property to serve his customers.

“People like having access to so many local items in one location and having a chance to meet the people who grow the food they eat,” Zielinski says. “The majority of products we sell come from our own farm or other local farms, so the people who visit our farm market often compliment us on the freshness of the produce. People also express their appreciation for our farm and market being family-owned and operated.”

Salem residents are fortunate to live in an area where farm stands abound; most farm stands are located in the Willamette Valley where much of Oregon’s agricultural production happens. Still, consumers can find a number of farms, ranches, or orchards that offer direct sale of what is produced on-site in nearly all of Oregon’s 36 counties

“Some are simple, some are more elaborate than a just a stand and look like real stores offering a lot of products,” says Laura Barton, trade manager with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. “But all of them are on the farm or next to the farm. All offer products that the farmer is growing his or herself.”

For E.Z. Orchards and the Zielinski family, establishing a farm stand was part of their expansion plans; they jumped at the opportunity to purchase property ideally suited for a farm stand.

“There are advantages to farm direct marketing,” says John Zielinski. “The middleman is eliminated, which gives the farmer a better profit margin. When we first looked at farm direct marketing, we felt it could provide a better return on investment than purchasing more land and expanding farm operations.”

While some farm stands are open year-round, most are seasonal and sell only what is growing in the area during that time of the year. The selection may be greater at farmers’ markets, but farm stands give the consumer the experience of visiting the site where the product is grown.

For a list of farm stands in Oregon, visit www.oregonfb.org/ .