Farmers markets thrive in in the Portland area, where city dwellers seemingly can't get enough fresh, locally grown food. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D.-Ore., has been a champion of specialty crops and local growers in the so-far fruitless debate over a new farm bill.

We support efforts to help local growers, farmers markets and organic and specialty crops. But an analysis from dailyyonder.com, a wonderfully named website that follows rural issues, presents a counter-intuitive case. While these programs deserve support, the benefits land mostly in urban areas rather than in rural, agricultural areas.

Oregon, however, happens to have some of the types of areas most likely to benefit: agricultural growing regions in close proximity to a major urban area.

Other links:

The Seattle Times tackles a topic we have explored in Oregon: affordable housing programs. The Times says Seattle's program has strayed from its goals and needs to regain its focus.

The Wall Street Journal's William McGurn weighs in on the Chick-fil-A debate, which was rekindled last week after reports and denials that Chick-fil-A had agreed to stop supporting "anti-gay organizations."

The Eugene Register-Guard editorial board comes out against casino measures 82 and 83.

In today's Oregonian:

The editorial board opposes the proposed Portland arts tax on the November ballot.

In an editorial sketchbook Len Reed offers an ode to pianist Mickey Sievers, who brings cheer to those passing through the  PacWest Center.

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