Board of Agriculture to meet in Salem, April 29

Implementation of the Farm Bill, the economic impact of noxious weeds, and updates on legislation affecting Oregon agriculture highlight the upcoming quarterly meeting of the State Board of Agriculture in Salem April 29-30. On day one of the two-day meeting, the 10-member board will hear once again from a panel of agriculture industry representatives regarding developments in the current legislative session. Panel members held a round table discussion at the last board meeting in February and will provide an update on key issues affecting agriculture. The board will also receive an update on the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s legislative issues, including the agency’s budget. Day one concludes with board members meeting with individual legislators at the Capitol to discuss priority issues concerning agriculture. A public comment period is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on day one of the meeting. On day two, board members will receive an update on issues and activities involving the Governor’s Natural Resources Office from Natural Resource Policy Advisor Richard Whitman. The board will also hear from Tim Butler, manager of ODA’s Noxious Weed Control Program, on the economic impact of invasive weeds in Oregon. A report on the implementation of the US Farm Bill will be given by Phil Ward, State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The meeting will conclude with reports by board subcommittees on land use, natural resources, government relations, and marketing/food safety. The full board meeting will be preceded on April 28 by subcommittee meetings. The board meeting begins 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 29 at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Commission Room, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, in Salem. The meeting resumes at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, April 30 at the Best Western Mill Creek Inn, 3125 Ryan Drive SE, in Salem. The meeting is open to the public. A copy of the meeting agenda is available on the Board of Agriculture web page at http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/AboutUs/Pages/BoardAgriculture.aspx>.