Oregon Department of Agriculture Director, Alexis Taylor will travel to Roseburg, Central Point and Medford beginning Tuesday, October 16, 2018. During her visit she will speak with members of the Douglas County Livestock Association, the small farms program at Oregon State University Extension, Farmers and Vineyard owners. Taylor’s face-to-face meetings are part of her ongoing regional tour of the state that began earlier this year. “This year fire, and associated smoke, have affected farmers, ranchers and communities across the state and the vineyards in Southern Oregon are included,” said Taylor. “I look forward to discussing this issue during my visit with vineyard owners but also seeing the vibrant wine sector economy in the Southern part of the state. Other topics will surely include labor shortages and trade which I have heard in every corner of the state so far this year. I look forward to these discussions with our farmers and ranchers because the best way for us to serve them is to know what they are thinking, what they are going through and working together to find solutions that will directly help our industry and benefit the state’s economy.” Southern Oregon is well known for growing tree fruit such as pears, wine grapes and raising cattle. Jackson County ranks number 2 in the state for production of pears and in the top 10 for grapes. Douglas County ranks in the top 10 statewide for cattle, sheep and lambs.
