Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor will resume agricultural tours of the state beginning Monday, July 16. She starts the week with livestock representatives from member states, provinces and Native American Tribal Nations at the International Livestock Identification Association annual conference in Bend. Director Taylor will continue to the OSU Extension office in Hermiston, visit farmers and processing facilities in Hermiston and Boardman and end the week back in Bend with a visit to the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. “Regular, face-to-face contact with our customers is one of the most effective ways to be a customer-focused agency,” said Director Taylor. “It is too easy for us to be inward focused, stuck in our offices, losing sight of who we are serving. These tours allow me to personally connect showing membes of our industry that they are the center of everything we do.” In 2016, Taylor’s first year with ODA, she visited all 36 counties in Oregon learning about the diversity of agriculture in a state producing more than 225 commodities. New to the state, she felt it was important to personally meet with members of the agricultural community. Now in her second year, Taylor continues to prioritize visits with ODA customers, partners and employees statewide. “I will continue to meet with the agricultural community, promoting the importance of their work to our state’s economy, which contributes $6 billion annually,” said Director Taylor. “During these visits I walk their fields and see their crops and livestock to truly understand the customer experience our agency delivers. I want to learn how we can improve our services to best support our customers.” Director Taylor will visit northeast Oregon in August. ODA will announce details when finalized. July 2018 Regional Tour Schedule: Monday, July 16. International Livestock Identification Association Conference, Bend, Oregon; Tuesday, July 17, OSU Extension, Pioneer Seed Facility, Hermiston, Oregon; Wednesday, July 18, Lamb Weston Facility, Threemile Canyon Farm, Tillamook Board Dinner, Boardman, Oregon; Thursday, July 19, Morrow County Grain Growers, Boardman, Oregon; Central Oregon Veterans Ranch, Bend, Oregon; Friday, July 20, Agricultural Law Conference, Bend, Oregon.
