Agriculture has long been a staple of Oregon’s economy, providing the nation and the world with a wide variety of products including onions, wheat, and cattle from Eastern Oregon; salmon and cranberries from the Oregon Coast; berries, hazelnuts, and nursery products from Willamette Valley; and pears and apples from the Columbia Gorge. Our state’s farms provide good jobs and drive the rural economy.
Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.5 Million in Grants to Support Pollinator Research
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will award $3.5 million in federal funding to support ten Pollinator Health Research grants across the nation. One of those grants, for $454,939,
Wyden, Merkley Press Feds to Improve Hemp Farming Rules
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today asked federal officials to change costly and confusing rules for farmers in Oregon and nationwide that cover the growing and testing of hemp. “We fear that without these changes, our past work and efforts to support hemp farmers and the industry
Merkley, Colleagues Investigate How the Largest Food Processors and Farm Operators Are Protecting Workers from COVID-19 Outbreaks
Washington, DC – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), sent letters to the largest food and beverage processors and farm operators requesting information on how they are protecting their workers and the food supply chain from potential outbreaks of the coronavirus
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $200,000 in Farm to School Grants for Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Oregon will receive nearly $200,000 in Farm to School grants to support partnerships between local farms and school districts. The funding will allow farms to supply schools with local produce, support hands-on agricultural education, and promote
Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Urgently-Needed Legislation to Help Hard-Hit Agricultural Workers Amid Pandemic
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today is leading the introduction of the Frontline At-Risk Manual (FARM) Laborers Protection Act, groundbreaking legislation that establishes critical protections, including 10 days of paid leave and hazard pay, for America’s agricultural workers. He was joined by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal
Merkley Calls on USDA to Quickly Deliver Food and Farm Assistance Appropriated by Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), teamed up with Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), to press USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to increase the agency’s efforts to speed
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