Farmers can use USDA farm ownership microloans to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013.
Read more… SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) are offering perennial stream survey certification training starting in mid-May. This training will help landowners and operators who are planning timber harvests with streams in the harvest area determine non-fish bearing stream vegetation retention requirements.
Read more… April's Invasive Weed of the Month is periwinkle! Also known as vinca, this plant is still commonly planted in home gardens, along roadside planting strips and as an all-purpose groundcover, many times by those who are unaware of its aggressive habits. Vinca is not yet on state noxious weed list, but both Vinca minor and Vinca major are listed by the City of Portland as category B on their nuisance list.
Vincas can displace beneficial native plants when they escape from areas where they are planted - which they often do. The good news is that there are several native plants that can replace vinca as an attractive and beneficial groundcover, including woodland strawberry, early blue violet and hairy honeysuckle. The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is a multi-agency partnership that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, tribal, state, and local levels.
Check Conditions for Polk Co. |