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Washington, DC -- Today, with the support of Congressman David Wu, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report for H.R. 2744, the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Act of 2006. H.R. 2744 includes funding for several programs that support Oregon's agriculture industry. Such programs will continue to protect nurseries from Sudden Oak Death disease, support the small fruit, grass seed, and shellfish industries, and improve the economic competitiveness of Oregon's agricultural sector. The final bill must now be passed by the U.S. Senate.
Programs in Oregon receiving funding in H.R. 2744 follow below:
Oregon is the leading producer of ornamental trees and shrubs and the state's nursery and greenhouse industry generates over $725 million annually in farm gate receipts. Growers of nursery and greenhouse crops constitute Oregon's largest sector of agriculture and nationally the industry produces crops valued at over $14 billion. Congressman Wu has held roundtable discussions with Oregon nursery and Christmas tree growers, and state and federal officials on addressing the threat of Sudden Oak Death.
The importance of berry and grape production has long been recognized in the Pacific Northwest where these high value, specialty crops now make up a large component of agricultural product sales. The demand for fresh and processed berries and grapes (including wine) in both domestic and international markets continues to grow at a rapid rate. In response to the expanding demands, the Center for Small Fruits continues to receive acclaim for its components involving cooperation between industry, state and federal research.
This research provides a better understanding of the technical, economic and social relationships that define Oregon's value-added agricultural sector, and provides direction through applied research that will improve the economic performance of this sector. The project assesses the potential for enhancing competitiveness and expanding the economic value-added component in Oregon agricultural products through improved production, processing and trade.
Research and education projects have been initiated in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to identify improved grass seed crop management and conservation practices. In order to maintain the valuable grass seed industry in the Pacific Northwest, research is urgently needed to reduce environmental impacts of residue burning while maintaining high productivity in several grass species.
The goals of this research are to determine the impact of farming practices on soil, weather and air quality; improve profitability of conservation farming systems; identify profitable conservation policies; identify alternative crops for conservation farming systems in the Pacific Northwest; and accelerate adoption of profitable conservation farming systems.
This program is based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center of Oregon State University. It was established in order to implement a selective breeding program to improve broodstock and increase commercial production of Pacific oysters on the West Coast.
Research will increase the supply of industrial oils for U.S. manufacturers through the use of the crop plant meadowfoam. Meadowfoam is a newer crop in the Pacific Northwest that produces an oil with unique chemical properties that can be used in personal care products, industrial lubricants, and oils and fuel additives to name a few. Research will also focus on meadowfoam meal, a by-product of oil extraction, which may be of use in organic crop production systems.
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