Text Size:   A+ A- A   •   Text Only
Oregon Department of Agriculture
wheat banner image

ODA 2009-2011 Biennial Report
About this report Ag Development & Marketing Pesticides
Our natural resources Animal Health & Identification Plant Division
State Board of Agriculture Commodity Inspection ODA Directory
ODA organization Food Safety Print document
Interview with Director Coba Measurement Standards Past editions
Administration & Support Natural Resources
About this report
Cover photo
Economic challenges greatly impact the agriculture industry and state government. However, the Oregon Department of Agriculture remains committed to its three-fold mission of consumer protection and food safety, protection of the state’s natural resources, and market development for agricultural products. We understand the need to be flexible and innovative as we work to provide expertise and good customer service.

ODA's top priority is to provide quality service that meets the needs of its customers, whether they are farmers, agri-businesses, or members of the general public. Our goal is to provide service in an efficient, practical, and friendly manner while fostering cooperation, fairness, and efficiency as we carry out our legislative mandates. We strive to deliver a range of services that enhance Oregon's economy as well as the environment in which we all work and live. ODA believes the best means to achieve its goals is through the judicious use of education, technical assistance, and regulation.

The 2009-2011 Biennial Report provides a summary of what we do, what we have accomplished, and where we are headed. The future brings more challenges, but also more opportunities. I believe ODA is ready for both.

Katy Coba
ODA director
 
Cover photo by Terry Casteel, Bethel Heights Vineyard
Published: January 2011
Contact: Bruce Pokarney, Director of Communications
Oregon Department of Agriculture
635 Capitol St. NE
Salem OR 97301-2532
503-986-4559
Our natural resources
Natural resources cover page

Sustainable natural resources = a sustainable Oregon economy

What we believe…

Oregonians are passionate about our state’s air, land and water. Our natural resources are a wonderful legacy, a source of incredible food and fiber and a critical foundation of the state’s economy. From the beach bill, to statewide land use planning, to the Oregon plan for salmon and watersheds, Oregon has stepped up to protect our natural heritage for future generations. Oregon’s natural resource legacy is one all Oregonians can be proud of. We can and must continue building on that legacy.

Our shared vision…

Sustainably managed natural resources result in sustainable local communities and a strong state economy by:
  • Providing abundant clean water to grow and process food and provide safe drinking water
  • Protecting working farms and forests to keep local economies viable
  • Restoring and protecting healthy watersheds to provide high quality habitat for fish and wildlife and reduce regulatory constraints
  • Providing economic opportunity to utilize Oregon’s natural resources
  • Increasing the use of renewable energy and conservation to meet our future energy needs
  • Identifying and mitigating for natural hazards to protect landowners and communities
  • Offering diverse recreational opportunities that strengthen local economies
  • Ensuring Oregon’s air is clean and safe to breathe.

Natural Resources are critical to Oregon’s economy…

Natural resource activities such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and mining, as well as recreational activities and tourism including fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, camping and hiking are major economic drivers in Oregon’s economy. Consider the following facts:
  • Total combined economic activity of Oregon’s natural resource industries amounts to over $55 billion in output—37 percent of the state’s annual domestic product.
  • Approximately 550,000 Oregonians work in natural resource-related fields, or jobs supported by those industries, making up over one third of the state’s employment.
  • Oregon’s non-federal forestlands comprise 38 percent of the landscape, while farmlands comprise another 28 percent of our land base.

Opportunity for leadership…

For every $1 in general fund invested in natural resource agencies, $376 in economic activity is generated by Oregon’s natural resource sector.
 
Since the 1999-2001 biennium, while general fund investment in all agencies has risen 31.33 percent, the investment in natural resource agencies has declined 2.52 percent.
 
Oregon’s natural resources substantially support our highly valued quality of life. Despite the significant benefits of natural resource management in Oregon, we are seeing a troubling trend of decreased general fund support for state agencies responsible for ensuring the vitality of our natural resource industries. We need to reverse this trend of disinvestment in order to ensure Oregon’s natural resource legacy for future generations and to implement our shared vision into the future. Recovery of Oregon’s natural resource sectors will be key to the overall economic recovery in Oregon and to the long-term health of the state.
 
Source: Oregon's natural resource agency directors
 
State Board of Agriculture
A 10-member State Board of Agriculture, appointed by the governor, advises the Oregon Department of Agriculture on policy issues and development of rules. Board members serve four-year terms with a maximum of two terms. The board meets four times a year in various locations around the state.
 
State law requires seven of the appointed members to be farmers or ranchers who represent different segments of agriculture; two board members must represent consumers; and, the tenth member is the chair of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. The board serves to keep ODA's director in close touch with the day-to-day issues of producers and consumers.
 
The ODA Director and the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University serve as ex-officio members of the board without the right to vote.
 
A major responsibility of the board is to produce a State of Oregon Agriculture Industry Report that is formally presented to the governor and the state legislature every two years. That report is published as a companion document to ODA's Biennial Report.
 
In this report to the Governor and State Legislature, the State Board of Agriculture develops key policy initiatives and recommendations that speak to long-term viability and sustainability of Oregon's farms, ranches, fisheries, and forests. ODA's programs and activities are often directly tied to these areas:
  • Awareness: Recognize that agriculture, forestry, and fisheries are intrinsically tied to the health and well-being of people, communities, and the environment when policy decisions and laws are made.
  • Do no harm: Do not enact laws that put Oregon's agricultural producers on an uneven playing field versus competitors (domestically or internationally) with respect to regulatory requirements, tax policies, management tools, or technologies.
  • Resources: Dedicated funds, paid for through fees by growers and food processors for purposes specified in law, should not be "swept" by the Legislature for other uses.
  • Economics: Recognize that natural resource industries, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related recreational activities, account for over one-third of Oregon's total economic production and one-third of Oregon's employment. Agriculture accounts for the second largest economic engine in the state, generating over $25 billion in output and supporting over 240,000 jobs. Agriculture is the single largest volume of exports from Oregon and ranks second in export value. Create and maintain the legal, tax, regulatory, and business environment that supports this economic engine!
  • Markets: Recognize and support the development of markets in all venues—locally, regionally, and internationally—to sustain the diverse farm sizes and commodities unique to Oregon agriculture, and to bring traded-sector (export) dollars into Oregon.
  • Food processing: Recognize that food processing is the natural extension of agricultural production. Food is not "manufactured," but is grown and processed—a viable and vibrant food processing industry is necessary to maintain a viable production industry.
  • Transportation infrastructure: Develop a comprehensive and integrated state freight strategy. The strategy should address all modes of transportation, including highway, rail, waterways, aviation, pipeline, and all kinds of domestic and international freight.
  • Land: Maintain strong support for Oregon's land use system as stated in ORS 215.243(2): "The preservation of a maximum amount of the limited supply of agricultural land is necessary to the conservation of the state's economic resources and the preservation of such land in large blocks is necessary in maintaining the agricultural economy of the state and for the assurance of adequate, healthful and nutritious food for the people of this state and nation."
  • Water: Immediately embark on bold, innovative, and collaborative efforts with irrigators and other users to capture, store, efficiently use, reuse, and increase the quantity of available water. Maintain resources in water quality initiatives to assist growers with restoration and enhancement.
  • Labor and jobs: Urge Congress and the President to quickly pass immigration reform legislation so employers and employees know the rules and processes for legal employment in agriculture. Ensure state regulations support a viable farm workforce.
  • Productivity: Investments in research and OSU Extension are critical to help growers meet the monumental challenge of feeding the world in a healthy way. Our state must invest in agricultural systems based on science that support the economic viability of growers, the ecological sustainability of natural resources, the strength of our communities, and health of our citizens.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture’s mission and array of programs support key policy areas identified by the State Board of Agriculture. This provides consistency and a true connection between the board’s advisory role and the agency’s scope of work. Below are just a few examples of ODA programs that tie directly to general policy recommendations made by the Board of Agriculture.

Economics

  • Certification programs
  • Rural development efforts
  • Renewable energy assistance
  • Supervised price negotiations

Markets

  • Export market development and promotion
  • Assistance to small-scale operations
  • Farm direct marketing and WIC/FDNP efforts
  • Farm to School Program

Land

  • Input on urban growth boundary expansion proposals
  • Involvement in aggregate mining of agricultural lands
  • Monitoring non-ag activities on zoned farm land
  • Providing land use expertise to local & regional governments

Water

  • Agricultural Water Quality Management Program
  • Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Program
  • Assistance to soil and water conservation districts
  • Involvement in Water Quality Pesticide Management Team
ODA organization
ODA organizational chart
Interview with Director Coba
Photo of Katy Coba
What's the best way to describe the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)?
I couldn't be more proud of the ODA. We are a government agency and right now government is sometimes not that popular with folks. But this is an agency dedicated to customer service, dedicated to helping Oregon agriculture be successful and profitable. Yes, we have a regulatory role. But we approach that role with a mindset of wanting to help the farmer, rancher, or processor stay in business and grow their business. That's a bit of a different way of thinking than your typical state agency. I often use the words special or unique to describe ODA and its employees. But I think we demonstrate, day in and day out, that is what we are about.
 

What are the characteristics of ODA's employees?
We have a very interesting mix. The diversity of our employees perhaps reflects the diversity of Oregon agriculture. We have a whole range of folks—including those with PhDs and scientists with specific expertise. We have employees on the ground with industry every day. They grew up in the community and, in many cases, they were raised on a farm or ranch themselves. Often, they have done the work of the people they interact with. We also work hard to embrace our diversity of expertise and find ways to take advantage of it. We will share our experiences on how to handle specific issues and learn from each other. We are trying to cross-pollinate and use the collective expertise in all parts of the agency. We call it breaking down the silos. Our staff enjoys the idea of stretching their ability to think and work, and help other parts of the agency.  

What has ODA done this biennium to meet the needs and expectations of its customers?
The biggest factor in the past two years is the incredible economic downturn and the corresponding downturn in Oregon agriculture. In the past two years, we've had a decline in agricultural profits not seen since records started being kept. That has made it very difficult for the industry. Those in agriculture are frustrated, concerned, and wondering what government is going to do to help. We at ODA have tried to respond by working even harder than before at helping the industry be successful as well as looking even harder at our program costs—something we've been doing for the past several years. Where can we be more efficient? What are the tasks we are doing that perhaps we shouldn't be doing any more? We ask ourselves these questions all the time anyway, but there is a greater emphasis now on all of our agency costs. The demands placed on our staff are growing. That has been a huge challenge, but I'm very proud of the agency's response. We have employees brainstorming on ways to cut costs. The biggest issue for us, frankly, is to prioritize and deal with some of the work load challenges we all have. Given the cuts in resources we've been experiencing, we can't keep doing all the things we've been doing. We will continue to see General Fund budget reductions in this agency. So looking forward, we need to determine what is the sustainable funding scenario for ODA five or ten years in the future.  

Looking ahead to the next biennium, will budget issues dominate?
I believe so. The industry will rightly say they are hurting even more than we are. But for the industry, the demand for their product has in many cases gone away or dropped. The demand for our product is increasing. So we are trying to figure ways to do the best we can to meet that increasing demand, realizing that we have fewer resources. We need to be realistic about the fact that we can't do everything we have been doing. So what do we no longer do? And how do we convey that back to the industry? That's the challenge. On the positive side, many people in the industry feel like we've hit bottom. As we all know, when you come out of a very challenging economic environment, there are always new opportunities. We need to be ready as an agency to help position the industry to take advantage of those opportunities. It may be opportunities for small farms, for buying local, for new markets—locally, regionally, and internationally. There may be new certification programs out there to help growers market their product. ODA may be able to help the industry navigate through new state and federal regulatory challenges. Industry is becoming more reliant on us to help them deal with these issues. With the agency's staff and expertise, we are positioned to help.  

Is ODA focusing only on the industry?
Absolutely not. Our customers include all Oregonians. The interest by consumers in food—where it comes from, how it's grown, how it gets to market—makes our job of ensuring food safety vital. Protecting natural resources and land use issues are also important to all Oregonians. The state's environment and economy relies heavily on agriculture. That is of high interest to all our citizens and makes the job of ODA relevant and valued.
Administration & Support
Photo of Katy Coba, Lisa Hanson, and Lauren Henderson

Mission

To manage the executive functions of the Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) program of work and provide related associated business, accounting, laboratory, and technical support for agency divisions and customers.

Staffing

In Salem, the Director's Office/Information Office has 10 employees, and the Administrative Services section has 29 employees. ODA's laboratory services are provided by 17 employees based at the Food Innovation Center in Portland.

What we do

Administration and Support Services provides the core infrastructure for ODA’s daily business operations, and is responsible for special programs that assist the agriculture industry.

The Director’s Office

  • Provides executive oversight of all ODA functions while working with the Governor’s Office, legislature, other state/federal agencies, and agricultural/consumer groups to carry out the state’s agricultural policies.
  • Provides growers with financial assistance by identifying or disbursing grant funds and incentives when money is made available.
  • Provides administrative support for the State Board of Agriculture.
  • Oversees the Farm Mediation Program, which offers counseling and conflict resolution for hundreds of private parties each year on agricultural-related issues.
  • Supervises price negotiations, with assistance from ODA divisions, between buyers and sellers of the following agricultural commodities: perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, Dungeness crab, and pink shrimp.
  • Works with the agriculture industry and other state agencies to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy. This includes educating and assisting growers on available incentives.
  • Participates in statewide climate change activities, helping growers identify ways to reduce impacts and adapt to changing conditions.
  • Identifies ODA resources and other programs to specifically assist new and small-scale growers.
  • Represents ODA with the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, Oregon Ag Fest, the Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan development, the Statewide Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy, and numerous other activities.

The Information Office

  • Serves as the agency’s first point of contact for external customers.
  • Provides media relations and public information services, including publications and other informational/educational materials.
  • Coordinates ODA’s website, and provides assistance to agency staff on Web and social media-related issues.
  • Provides representation and support for Oregon's Century Farm & Ranch Program.

The Administrative Services section

  • Provides internal support for ODA in the areas of financial management, personnel, licensing, procurement, and computer information systems.
  • Develops and manages ODA’s biennial budget. Provides payment on agency bills and accounts, and monitors agency spending.
  • Recruits, hires, and trains staff for ODA.
  • Provides building maintenance and fleet management.
  • Maintains ODA information systems through project management and systems development.
  • Provides centralized agency licensing functions, including auditing of license applications, issuing of license renewals and certificates, and monitoring licensing activities.

The Laboratory Services section

  • Provides laboratory chemistry and microbiology analysis for ODA in the areas of food, dairy, shellfish, foliage, soil, fertilizer, water, and various products destined for export/import.

Major accomplishments

The Director's Office has been active in 2009-10, providing leadership and coordination for the agency, the industry, and the State of Oregon in general.
  • Increased Oregonians' understanding of agriculture's importance to the state's economy through multiple speeches, appearances, and publications featuring Director Coba and other key agency officials.
  • Promoted Oregon agricultural products in key export markets as part of overseas trade missions involving the director and/or assistant directors. This includes successful missions to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
  • Coordinated multi-divisional agency responses in critical food safety recalls, providing key communication and cooperation with affected commodity organizations and businesses as well as partner state and federal agencies.
  • Coordinated agency response to the emerging threat of spotted wing drosophila by organizing meetings and communicating with Oregon's fruit industry. Partnered with Oregon State University in providing outreach to growers while successfully lobbying for state-funded research on this insect pest.
  • Participated, along with specific ODA divisions, in several statewide emergency preparedness activities, and monitored performance.
The Administrative Services section continues to find more efficient and effective ways of doing business, which ultimately has a great impact on serving external customers.
  • Introduced collaborative services into ODA, which includes an internal wiki, shared calendars, and instant messaging capabilities.
  • Developed the Nursery Information Management System to help manage ODA's Nursery Program.
  • Implemented the Oregon Agricultural Certification System, which provides basic functionality across multiple programs or sub-systems. Organic Certification and Farm Direct Nutrition are the first ODA programs utilizing the system.
  • Enhanced license renewal and certificate printing systems to improve ODA customer's ability to renew their license.
Through the Director's Office, ODA provides a neutral third party presence in conflict resolution and price negotiation.
  • Assisted hundreds of individuals with information requests about dispute resolution options for farm-related conflicts, including contract disputes, farm employer-employee disagreements, nuisance complaints, and property issues.
  • Provided support for ODA supervised price negotiations between growers and buyers in several farm commodities, ensuring good faith negotiations and anti-trust compliance.
ODA's Information Office provides assistance, information, and messages to a variety of audiences in a clear and timely manner.
  • Responded to nearly 1,000 media interview requests and more than 12,000 telephone or e-mail requests for information by the public in 2009-10.
  • Produced numerous publications, including news releases and ODA's "Story of the Week", and made special effort to provide all publications electronically on the ODA website.
  • Enhanced ODA's website to include additional and timely information on product recalls, emerging pest and disease issues, renewable energy opportunities, and resources for small farm operators.
  • Implemented social media tools including an ODA Twitter account to reach new audiences and respond to changes in how the public receives information.
  • Provided a department liaison to the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program management committee who helped develop a biennial operating plan, a communications and marketing plan, and offered other assistance to the program.
The scientific expertise of ODA's Portland-based laboratory has once again been on display in 2009-10, providing both internal and external customers with the rapid and effective analytical response needed for emerging issues.
  • Increased number of compounds covered in pesticide screen from six to more than 200.
  • Updated equipment, including the addition of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer, which helps ODA test and analyze samples—in most cases, food—more quickly, efficiently, and precisely.
Renewable energy continues to provide a great opportunity for Oregon agriculture. ODA's renewable energy specialist has been extremely active this past biennium in moving the industry forward.
  • Educated growers about incentives available for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Tracked opportunities, and helped link companies with the agricultural community.
  • Conducted analysis, education, and outreach on state and federal renewable energy policies, climate change policies, fuel standards, food price issues, and global agricultural production.
  • Helped growers apply for grants and tax incentives to implement projects.
  • Coordinated irrigation efficiency block grant program to distribute ARRA funds to irrigators for pump efficiency upgrades.

Goals

  • Help at least 12 agricultural producers apply for grants and tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
  • Distribute all allocated ARRA funding to irrigators for efficiency projects.
  • Educate agricultural producers about voluntary greenhouse gas accounting tools that can help them gain or maintain access to markets.
  • Begin efforts for Laboratory Services to become accredited to ISO17025.
  • Enhance training to all internal agency divisions on customer service delivery.
  • Incorporate more social media tools as part of the agency's communications delivery efforts and continue to enhance ODA's website.

Spotlight on service 

Regulatory streamlining is more than just an exercise for the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The process is necessary for ODA to maintain or enhance services at a time when increased resources are not a consideration.

When ODA migrated its licensing records to a new system in 2008, it became apparent during the following license renewal period that the new system was quite cumbersome and time consuming. Three temporary staff assisted the Licensing Unit, but the overall processing time still doubled from previous years. That impacted the entire agency and ODA’s licensees.

Through project management, ODA developed batch processing, which allows licenses to be issued in groups instead of one license at a time. With the solution implemented in time for the June 2010 renewal process, a thousand licenses were issued in two and a half minutes. Using the original system, the same process would have taken staff approximately 18 hours. In addition to saving time, the success of batch processing moves ODA closer to its ultimate goal of online license renewal.
Ag Development & Marketing
Ag Development photo
"We want Oregon products in your pantry, on the shelf at your corner grocery, and in your local restaurant. We also want Oregon products available regionally and internationally. Our programs strive to bring that Oregon identity front and center in every marketplace."
 
Gary Roth, Administrator

Mission

To foster a sustainable Oregon economy through the development and retention of production and processing capacity, and the promotion and marketing of the state's agricultural and food products.

Staffing

The Agricultural Development and Marketing Division (ADMD) has a staff of 12 located at the Food Innovation Center in Portland. This includes specialists in international and domestic trade, industry development, agricultural transportation, commodity commissions, and farm to school efforts.

What we do

The Agricultural Development and Marketing Division (ADMD) focuses on three major areas to achieve both capacity and demand for Oregon’s agricultural and food processing sector in international, domestic, and local markets.

Market Development and Product Promotion

  • Provides one-on-one assistance to Oregon industry sectors as well as individual companies needing market assistance and/or product development and promotion.
  • Conducts an internationally recognized market development program that includes participating in targeted trade missions and trade shows, conducting technical workshops to introduce Oregon products to buyers, and hosting inbound trade missions to Oregon.
  • Monitors and relays technical information to the industry regarding non-tariff trade barriers and regulatory requirements, ensuring smooth shipment of Oregon products.
  • Collaborates with industry and other ODA divisions to develop market-based certification standards and other value-added processes that enhance the desirability of Oregon agricultural products.
  • Enhances food system development and market demand for local products through farm to school efforts, direct marketing channels, farmers' market and farm direct marketing assistance.
Industry Development and Cluster Assistance
  • Provides solutions and eliminates barriers to retain, expand, and recruit agricultural businesses, which saves and creates jobs for Oregonians.
  • Interacts daily with Oregon's rural economies and troubled agricultural sectors, providing multi-faceted, coordinated approaches to resolve issues.
  • Provides technical expertise in partnership with Oregon State University at the Food Innovation Center. This multi-disciplinary collaboration is unique in the US and is a powerful tool for Oregon.
  • Provides access and technical assistance to state and federal grant programs for the benefit of agricultural producers and processors.
  • Works closely with Business Oregon, the Governor's Economic Revitalization Teams (ERT), and a variety of port and municipal-based economic development organizations throughout the state.
  • Conducts state supervised price negotiations for various industry sectors.
  • Advocates for improved transportation options through representation on the Oregon Freight Advisory Committee.
Commodity Commission Oversight
  • Works closely with and provides administrative oversight to Oregon's 25 agricultural commodity commissions.

Major accomplishments

More than 80 percent of Oregon agricultural products leave the state. Oregon does not have the population to consume most of what it produces and relies heavily on the export market. ADMD can point to many trade development activities and highlights in 2009-10.
  • Hosted several important inbound trade missions, bringing prospective buyers and officials from other countries to Oregon. These missions included hosting a high-level food safety official from Taiwan; Korean food service buyers representing the leading importers and distributors to hotels, restaurants, and institutions interested in blueberry and hazelnut products; onion buyers from Japan; and Christmas tree and produce buyers from Mexico.
  • Led a joint trade mission involving the directors of ODA and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, promoting Pacific Northwest specialty potatoes, wine, crab, and blueberries through in-store retail promotions and cooking demonstrations. This led to a three-week promotion in Hong Kong’s Park n’ Shop stores—a chain of about 250 stores—involving 15 Pacific Northwest companies.
  • Facilitated the signing by ODA Director Coba of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hong Kong government to promote the sale of Oregon and Washington wines into and through the Hong Kong market, making it the first such MOU signed with Hong Kong by a US state. The presence of Oregon wines in Hong Kong is expected to create similar opportunities in southern China.
  • Facilitated further development of new and rapidly growing markets in the Middle East and India. This included inbound buying missions from Dubai, United Arab Emirates and India followed by ADMD participation in Gulfood in Dubai, a major trade hub for the Middle East.
  • Commanded the largest presence of any US state at the 2009 FOODEX show in Tokyo, Asia’s largest food and beverage show with more than 80,000 trade only visitors. The show recorded great interest in Oregon wine, beer, seafood, and specialty fruit products.
  • Organized and executed a holiday promotion in 81 stores across Mexico. Importers and retailers that participated in the promotion purchased a total of 325,000 Oregon Christmas trees averaging $10/tree wholesale.
Local marketing of Oregon agricultural products remains a high priority for ADMD, which remains vigorously active in this arena.
  • Provided assistance to producers interested in farm direct marketing by holding several statewide workshops to more than 100 participants interested in food safety training. This was especially valuable given the increasing number of Oregon farmers’ markets and vendors selling farm direct.
  • Provided support and funding for FoodHub, an online marketplace for Oregon’s specialty crops that includes farmers, processors, schools, restaurants, food service distributors, and other entities that can interact online and make direct purchases of local food products.
  • Advanced Oregon’s farm to school efforts by hosting a training session for K-12 school food service administrators and kitchen managers introducing Oregon product options and how to apply them to national school lunch guidelines. ADMD also worked with producers and processors on developing several nutritional products for school breakfasts and lunches.
  • Worked with Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to help implement HB 2763, which allows state agencies to preferentially purchase locally produced agricultural products.
  • Collaborated with the Oregon Department of Human Services to enroll 550 farmers as vendors in the 2010 WIC Fruit & Vegetable Voucher Program and the Farm Direct Nutritional Program (FDNP) for seniors and WIC families.
ADMD provides assistance through certification, business development, and leveraging resources that keep the industry on the cutting edge in an increasingly competitive global economy.

 

  • Worked to address a critical need for meat processing in Oregon by working with small-scale meat processors and potential processors in rural areas to meet local demand for beef.
  • Provided outreach, development, selection, and administration of successful projects funded by the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in 2009 and 2010, in collaboration with an industry advisory group. The 2010 grants total $1.75 million and will help Oregon fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops become more competitive in the marketplace. ADMD also received a Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) grant to assist Oregon grass seed exporters streamline redundant and expensive testing procedures required for export shipments.
  • Worked with OSU at the Food Innovation Center to create a co-packer program that has helped 22 small-scale entrepreneurs who can’t afford equipment by bringing them together with small and mid-level food processors who need to develop production capacity.

The ability to provide guidance and administration helps individual commodity groups representing major portions of Oregon's agriculture industry. ADMD continues to fill this vital role.

  • Provided communication and assistance to Oregon’s 25 agricultural commodity commissions on issues including certification programs, specialty crop grants, pests, and intellectual property.
  • Presided over price negotiations between producers and dealers/processors involving grass seed, and Dungeness crab.

Goals

  • Help Oregon's agricultural sector further develop marketing opportunities while assuring the sustainability of Oregon’s agricultural industry.
  • Help Oregon's farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food processing companies meet customer requirements and preference standards for agricultural and food products.
  • Focus on rural communities and help build infrastructure, adding value to farm outputs.
  • Retain or increase investment and employment in rural Oregon through the development of complementary food and agricultural product processing infrastructure.
  • Increase market access opportunities by further integrating and enhancing services provided by ADMD and ODA's Commodity Inspection Division to implement world class certification programs.

Spotlight on service

Every day, ODA helps all types of Oregon farmers, fishers, ranchers, and processors regardless of business size, location, or market. ADMD employs a variety of programs to specifically assist small and/or beginning producers and processors that have a special connection to local agriculture.

Recent efforts include co-sponsoring the well-attended 2010 annual Small Farms Conference and using the opportunity to share information on a variety of programs that benefit small farms. ADMD and Oregon State University hosted an event introducing local trade and media to licensed Oregon specialty cheese producers. The Oregon Cheese Story Day offered presentations and product sampling that resulted in immediate sales and interest in future events. ADMD worked with Oregon retailers to develop signage highlighting local products, providing farm name and location. This helps consumers know the source of the produce they purchase. ADMD also developed a fruit and berry culinary promotional campaign that encourages the purchase of local products and is partnering with Oregon retail outlets to introduce new local products.

ADMD and ODA in general remain committed to providing access to regional and international markets, while also recognizing the importance of helping the smaller operations who are specifically geared to providing food products to local consumers.
Animal Health & Identification
AHID photo
"Livestock production in Oregon is a mega-million dollar business. Our ability to prevent animal disease or respond quickly to an outbreak is critical to not only the livestock industry, but to Oregon's overall economic health."
 
Dr. Don Hansen, Administrator and State Veterinarian

Mission

To enhance economic production of livestock by: controlling and eradicating animal diseases, including those transmissible to humans; preventing livestock theft by denying a market for stolen animals through brand recording and animal inspection; ensuring animal feeds meet nutritional and labeling standards and participating with state and federal wildlife agencies in predator-animal control efforts.

Staffing

The Animal Health and Identification Division (AHID) has an office staff of nine people based in Salem. Division field personnel include two state field veterinarians, one animal-feeds specialist, two animal-theft investigators, six clerks, and 69 brand inspectors. About 1,400 private veterinary practitioners are accredited and deputized to act on behalf of ODA in regulatory activities and response to animal diseases.
 

What we do

The Animal Health Program, which includes a diagnostic laboratory, works to protect Oregon’s livestock and their markets by preventing, testing for, controlling, and eradicating animal disease. The Animal Identification Program verifies livestock ownership and protects against cattle theft. The Feeds Program ensures the accuracy of animal feed labels and the safety of their content. The division also regulates certain exotic animals and assists in the control of predatory animals. These activities are critical to producers who raise or own cattle, swine, horses, poultry and various alternative livestock. Keeping animals healthy, safe, and under rightful ownership helps Oregon agriculture maintain its viability and is critical to the stability of rural economies.

The Animal Health Program

  • Works with veterinarians throughout Oregon to prevent, detect, control, and eradicate animal diseases.
  • Completes several thousand veterinary diagnostic tests every year to help confirm Oregon livestock's health status and/or absence of certain diseases.
  • Issues import permits and processes certificates of veterinary inspections required for nearly all animals entering the state to verify these animals meet Oregon's import requirements for animal health.
  • Monitors animal movement, traces disease outbreaks, and employs essential control measures directed toward protecting animals and public in Oregon.
  • Cooperates with other agencies and organizations to control diseases, including USDA, Oregon State University, state public health officials, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association.

The Livestock Identification Program

  • Records more than 11,000 livestock brands and standardizes livestock ownership markings to verify ownership. This deters theft, assists in tracking disease outbreaks, and helps return lost or estray animals to their owners.
  • Inspects more than one million cattle and horses, every year, when they leave the state or when there is a change of ownership. This assures the fair and honest marketing of animals.
  • Assists local and state law enforcement in livestock theft investigations.

The Feeds Program

  • Registers and tests commercial feed products to confirm that animal feed is safe, meets nutritional guarantees and is in compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Helps FDA regulate feed components and enforce their ban on ruminant protein in ruminant feed.

Other AHID responsibilities

  • Partners with USDA and local governments to administer a wildlife damage control program that includes such livestock and crop predators as wolves and feral swine.
  • Issues permits for animals defined under Oregon’s Exotic Animal Law and inspects holding facilities for these animals to help maintain public safety.

Major accomplishments

Prevention, detection, and eradication of animal diseases is critical to Oregon’s economy and environment. In some cases, public health can be threatened by animal-to-human transmission. Early detection and rapid response is a key strategy. Several AHID accomplishments in 2009 and 2010 are tied directly to animal disease issues.
  • Issued permits for over 750,000 head of livestock imported into Oregon without the occurrence of a major disease outbreak.
  • Completed more than 100,000 diagnostic tests on Oregon livestock to document their health status.
  • Provided surveillance for avian influenza (AI) in commercial birds and responded to reports of potential outbreaks, all of which turned out to be negative for the AI strain of concern.
  • Provided education programs, guidance, and surveillance for swine flu in Oregon with an emphasis on preventing transmission of the disease from sick people to healthy swine.
  • Tested more than 6,000 beef cattle for brucellosis, over 23,000 dairy cattle for tuberculosis, and an additional 35,000 dairy cattle headed out-of-state for tuberculosis in effort to certify that Oregon remains free of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis, two diseases that can be transmitted to humans and cripple productivity of livestock.
  • The Animal Health Laboratory improved the test for trichomoniasis, a cattle disease that causes abortion, thereby providing a faster and more accurate diagnosis.
AHID’s emergency response capability is enhanced through planning, exercise, and participation in real emergencies. AHID has improved its ability to effectively respond over the past biennium.
  • Expanded training for veterinarians to include 45 veterinarians specifically certified as first responders to an animal disaster.
  • Strengthened response plans for several infectious foreign animal diseases to support a rapid response and eradication of any emerging disease outbreak.
  • Conducted disaster and disease emergency training and drills with members of our Veterinary Emergency Response and Animal Disaster Response Teams. These drills test the ability to assemble veterinarians and deploy emergency teams.
  • Secured federal funds to purchase and equip four trailers to be deployed to any disaster event to provide on site animal housing and care.
  • Assisted county emergency managers in establishing and implementing emergency response and evacuation plans for all animals, including pets. AHID developed the guidelines for response when a major disaster dislocates or imperils pets and other animals.
A safe and wholesome food supply for humans and animals is part of ODA's key mission. AHID worked to maintain and strengthen the safety of animal feed in 2009 and 2010.

  • Expanded registrations within Oregon to allow the sale of camelina meal, a bio-diesel crop by-product, that can be a source of protein for livestock. This allows better utilization of a biofuels crop as the alternative fuel industry develops in Oregon. AHID has developed and is enforcing strict guidelines on the percentage of camelina mixed in feeds as livestock health can be adversely impacted.
  • Performed BSE (mad cow disease) feeding ban inspections at all feed ingredient manufacturers in Oregon, and inspected several dairies and trucking firms. These inspections are part of a nationwide inspection protocol developed by FDA in response to earlier detections of BSE in the US.
  • Worked with feed manufacturers to add warnings about fungal toxins in certain feed-screening products.
ODA brand inspectors this past biennium have continued to provide important services to the livestock industry to protect ownership and allow for successful marketing of animals.
  • Investigated all livestock theft reports, resulting in many instances of restitution or criminal convictions.
  • Implemented a computer-based information collecting system in livestock auction markets to allow more work and labor efficiency in routine brand inspection activities. It is anticipated that this system will allow for faster resolution of ownership disputes and quicker successful traces of animal disease suspects that move through the market system.
  • Cooperated with other agencies and individuals to handle estray livestock, either returning lost animals to their rightful owner or finding new homes for animals through an auction.

Goals

  • Continue to monitor and respond to important animal and animal-to-human pathogens associated with livestock operations.
  • Maintain Oregon’s disease-free status in state-federal cooperative disease control programs, including avian influenza, swine flu, bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.
  • Continue training and exercises for AHID staff and deputy state veterinarians (private practitioners enlisted to serve in response teams) for animal emergency response preparedness.
  • Improve AHID response to disease or disaster emergencies by continuing to document the location of animals that might be affected. The use of handheld computers will enhance animal identification in the field and improve the ability for livestock owners to conduct business in auction markets.
  • Develop long-term strategies, priorities, and funding for the Animal Health Program, its priorities, and funding.

Spotlight on service

Oregon’s livestock industry has looked to ODA’s Animal Health and Identification Division as a partner in removing barriers to economic viability. AHID, through the State Veterinarian’s Office, has responded in several instances.

Oregon law requires that all female cattle held for breeding or milk production be officially vaccinated for brucellosis. If cattle are over 12 months old and not vaccinated, producers must obtain permission from their state animal health official to vaccinate "over age" cattle. For several years, Oregon has allowed brucellosis vaccination of "over age cattle" that were raised in the state. AHID recognized a need for this same allowance to be granted for Oregon producers that want to purchase out-of-state cattle for their own herd that were not vaccinated. The AHID conducted a series of meetings throughout the state and achieved support for allowing vaccination of cattle purchased from other states by Oregon producers. It is now possible for an Oregon producer to take advantage of business opportunities to purchase non-vaccinated cattle from other states and have them vaccinated on arrival to their ranch or after purchase at an auction market and thereby comply with the law.


Commodity Inspection
CID section cover
"Collaboration with industry and other programs and agencies has given us greater ability to successfully move Oregon agriculture into today's complex and demanding marketplace. That is at the core of our programs and services."
 
Jim Cramer, Administrator

Mission

To provide meaningful services to the agricultural community that assist in the movement of Oregon products in the domestic and international markets through official third party inspections, verifications, tests, and certifications.

Staffing

The Commodity Inspection Division (CID) has a staff of approximately 50 permanent employees and an additional 90 seasonal employees. Field offices and personnel are strategically located in the state's agricultural production areas.

What we do

CID helps Oregon agriculture meet state, federal, and international requirements for all major crops, in addition to any non-regulatory customer requirements. CID programs meet increasingly complex domestic and international market place requirements. Third party inspection, grading, verification, testing, and certification provide an objective way to evaluate growers’ crops, and assure customers receive a quality product that meets the desired or required specifications. CID also provides consumer protection as it relates to marketing claims for seeds, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Shipping Point Inspection Program

  • Provides on-site, voluntary fee-for-service programs, including traditional inspection and certification, to ensure that fruit, vegetable, and nut crops meet regulatory, customer and marketplace standards.
  • Makes available official third party verification programs for identity preserved products, food security audits, and audits of other practices at the request of industry.
  • Offers training, oversight and educational information to industry, as it relates to voluntary or mandatory inspection and certification programs.

The Seed Program

  • Provides official seed sampling and testing to ensure foreign and domestic requirements are met.
  • Ensures proper labeling of seed to guarantee consumer and industry protection.
  • Investigates producer claims of non-payment by dealers and administers Oregon law requiring payment to growers within the contractually specified time.
  • Provides inspection and certification of forage products as weed-free, adding value to Oregon hay and straw while minimizing the spread of noxious weeds.

The Plant Health Program

  • Provides laboratory testing of seed and plant material for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes, and conducts field inspection services to meet interstate and international phytosanitary requirements.
  • Conducts surveys as required by USDA and foreign countries to detect the presence of pests and diseases that could result in quarantine of Oregon products and provides expertise on emerging plant health issues.

The Certification Services Program

  • Conducts USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) audits, supplying producers and handlers an official third party verification of their efforts to reduce microbial contamination in fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Offers organic certification services under USDA's National Organic Program for crops and handling operations.
  • Provides Maximum Residue Level Compliance Certification through official sampling and testing. Protocols are designed to detect specific pesticide residue or food pathogens in order to meet industry standards.
  • Provides third party audit and inspection services to wine industry certification programs, including Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine and Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) for Oregon wineries.
  • Works cooperatively with other public and private entities to provide information and marketing assistance on certification services, and the development of new voluntary certification programs with industry.

Major accomplishments

To help Oregon agriculture producers and handlers meet the demands of an ever changing global marketplace, CID provides inspection, testing, and certification services that are recognized as official, reliable, high quality, and responsive to industry needs. For fiscal year 2009, nearly all inspection and certification numbers increased from previous years.
  • Inspected 3.2 billion pounds of produce for processing and 1.5 billion pounds of fresh Oregon fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts
  • Certified more than 379 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for export to 58 countries, including more than 22.5 million pounds of apples, 65 million pounds of hazelnuts, 56 million pounds of onions, 98 million pounds of pears, and 125 million pounds of potatoes.
  • Certified 815,754 tons of alfalfa and grass seed straw for export, providing a cost effective alternative to field burning
  • Inspected 22,272 acres of vegetable seed, mint, Allium, and potato fields for pests and diseases of concern.
  • Performed official testing and conducted surveys for federally regulated pests such as Phytophthora ramorum, potato cyst nematodes, and Karnal bunt to ensure nurseries, and potato and wheat growers can continue to ship pest-free products.
  • Conducted approximately 130 industry trainings with about 800 attendees, and attended the equivalent of approximately 300 trainings in order to maintain staff credentials and increase proficiencies.
CID has been nationally recognized as an early adopter of innovative voluntary programs developed at industry request.  
  • Completed the first year of providing Organic Certification under the USDA National Organic Program. As of October, 2010, CID conducted 43 audits for 35 entities and certified more than 1,700 acres as meeting organic standards.
  • Completed, in cooperation with Certified Onions, Inc., the second year of a pilot program to assist onion producers and packers with official sampling, testing, and certification for pesticide residues. The Maximum Residue Level (MRL) Program provides a market assurance program for both domestic and international markets and received tremendous support from 123 growers and 23 packer/shippers in the Treasure Valley of Oregon and Idaho who participated in 2010. CID certified over 15,500 acres and approximately 1.24 billion pounds of onions under the program—with an estimated value of $111.6 million.
  • Continued to provide certification of Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices (GAP/GHP) for all sizes of farms. In 2009 CID certified 51,660 acres of production in Oregon and 26 fresh handlers. Secured specialty crop block grant funds to help pay for GAP certification for small farms (30 acres or less) and new or beginning farmers.
  • Began, in cooperation with the Oregon Wine Board, third-party audits and on-site inspections as part of the Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine program. Currently, 19 Oregon wineries participate representing over 1.6 million certified bottles. Also conducted third-party winery inspections for the Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) Certification program.
  • Conducted, under a cooperative agreement with USDA, 216 retail compliance reviews for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood as required by federal law.
  • Continued to work with ODA's Plant Division on the Grower Assisted Inspection Program, which is now being considered as a national model for certifying nursery stock for export.
Oregon’s reputation for high quality seed is enhanced by the efforts of CID.
  • Sampled more than 11,000 lots of seed for official testing and verification required for phytosanitary export certification, including 1,055 lots sampled for ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) testing—an internationally recognized process required by many foreign markets.
  • Developed a new molecular diagnostic test for the unwanted perennial grass Glyceria declinata, in cooperation with USDA-ARS, to facilitate export of grass seed to Australia.
  • Certified more than 6,000 acres under the Weed-Free Forage and Straw Program.
CID has taken major steps to streamline and economize its services by certifying a greater volume of product while reducing costs.
  • Developed a new, high throughput testing protocol for virus certification that greatly improves laboratory efficiency while providing test results for customers in a more timely manner.
  • Continued to operate alternative inspection programs that are efficient and maintain product integrity for the Oregon hazelnut, onion, and cherry industries.
  • Continued partnership with the Oregon Department of Corrections utilizing an inmate work program. Under ODA oversight, an inmate crew and corrections officer is supplied by Snake River Correctional Institution, and performs various inspection duties at a major local potato processing plant.

Goals

  • Develop, in cooperation with ODA's Agricultural Development and Marketing Division and the industry, a marketing plan to use voluntary novel certifications to improve market access for Oregon's producers.
  • Expand cross-training and cooperation of division employees in other programs to reduce duplication of costs and carry out the mission of the agency.
  • Develop and offer a larger sampling and testing protocol of pesticide compounds that are targeted to address Oregon's domestic and export market controls and retail buyer specifications. Communicate to the industry any changes in foreign market requirements.
  • Ensure that Oregon's producers are made aware of trends in certification and market opportunities. Work with industry to solve problems to expand and facilitate market access and competitiveness of Oregon producers.

Spotlight on service

Millions of television viewers worldwide and those attending the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in British Columbia may not have seen it, but underneath the snow on Cypress Mountain—the venue for snowboarding and other competitive events—were nearly a thousand tons of wheat straw bales originating from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. An alarming lack of snow and unseasonable temperatures caused organizers for the winter games to scurry in hopes of finding a solution. Quick action by ODA’s Commodity Inspection Division helped save the day.

Organizers sent out a request for as many as 3,000 straw bales as one solution to the pending crisis, hoping to place the straw underneath to extend the snow and keep it from melting. Oregon growers responded by providing up to 40 loads of baled straw. But none of it would have crossed the Canadian border if it weren’t for the efforts of CID. Through quick inspection and certification, the straw was cleared with the required phytosanitary certificate that indicates it was clean of pests and diseases and met Canadian standards. As a result, Oregon growers were able to market a lot of straw that otherwise might not have been sold or would have taken longer to sell.
Food Safety
Food Safety inspection photo
"Food Safety is a hot topic, but talk is cheap. The luxury of having the world’s safest and most wholesome food supply is no accident. It comes at a cost, and Oregonians are at a place where we have to decide, 'Is it worth it?' Food safety requires effort, resources, and public support. Without these, food safety may be found more often in the headlines than on the table."
 
Vance Bybee, Administrator

Mission

To provide education, support, and technical assistance in the science and regulation of food safety, ensuring that Oregon's food supply is wholesome and secure.

Staffing

The Food Safety Division (FSD) has a central support staff of seven based in Salem, including an administrator and two program managers. In the field, two field supervisors and 33 food safety specialists are assigned geographically across the state, providing education, inspection, and enforcement activities.

What we do

The Food Safety Division (FSD) licenses and inspects nearly 7,000 food establishments in Oregon. Through its three program areas, FSD’s work benefits all Oregonians by providing assurance to consumers that the food they eat is safe. FSD responds to food safety issues to protect the public, and works with the industry through education and collaboration to prevent unhealthy or unsafe conditions in the food supply.

The Manufacturing and Retail Food Program area

  • Inspects establishments engaged in food manufacturing, baked-good production, and retail food sales by focusing on risk factors such as employee hygiene, time and temperature controls, and food sources.
  • Performs annual equipment testing and calibration for food manufacturers.
  • Conducts plan review and provides technical support for food establishments that have yet to become licensed, including label review and comment.
  • Offers food safety expertise and oversight to all food establishments (excluding restaurants, which are handled by Public Health Division, and meat slaughtering/processing plants, which are handled by USDA).
  • Provides licenses for retail food establishments (grocery stores), food manufacturers, food warehouses, bakeries, non-alcoholic beverage plants, and domestic kitchens.

The Dairy, Meat, and Eggs Program area

  • Inspects dairy farms twice a year and dairy plants four times a year to ensure consumers receive safe and wholesome fluid milk and milk products.
  • Performs inspections, sampling, and equipment checks in accordance with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, allowing fluid milk and milk products to be sold in other states.
  • Inspects and oversees mobile and custom meat slaughtering establishments, retail markets, and pet food manufacturers. FSD also visits USDA-inspected meat plants annually to confirm federal inspectors are on site.
  • Provides monthly grading services for Oregon egg processors and egg grading in retail food establishments every four years. Eggs are the only food type for which FSD provides quality assurance rather than safety control.

Seafood and Shellfish Program area

  • Provides highly technical scientific measurement and evaluation of shellfish growing waters and harvested meats in cooperation with FDA and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Develops and monitors management plans specific to each growing area that detail toxin limits and water conditions essential for safe shellfish.
  • Collects samples and conducts tests of shellfish to determine the presence of marine toxins such as domoic acid or paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). These toxins can cause severe illness in humans. FSD issues closures for commercial and recreational harvesters as needed.
  • Reviews Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs and processes required of seafood processors to verify the proper steps are being taken to prevent food-borne illness.
FSD provides other services and expertise to help the industry and the public.
  • Contracts with FDA to perform 600 inspections in Oregon food establishments under FDA jurisdiction. These are establishments with products that enter interstate commerce.
  • Supervises, in collaboration with Public Health Division, Oregon’s drinking water program in establishments licensed by FSD. Inspectors conduct sanitary surveys and provide technical expertise to food processors that use private water sources.
  • Works closely with Oregon farmers’ markets to address sanitation and food safety by training vendors at regional workshops.
  • Reviews labeling for Oregon-produced products to ensure consumers receive accurate and required information.
  • Reviews construction/development plans prior to construction to verify that the proposed facility meets all state and federal food safety regulations.

Major accomplishments

Growing concern over the safety of the food supply and a corresponding increase in the number of recalls and food-related emergencies has created a heavier workload for FSD at a time when resources have not kept pace. FSD has made structural changes this biennium to maximize its resources and bolster its capabilities.
  • Reorganized to allow closer supervision and training of staff by managers who now spend more time in the field. This has increased consistency of inspections and other FSD services.
  • Hired and trained 12 new employees—more than a third of the field staff. This was largely due to a high number of retirements.
  • Dedicated two specialists to provide immediate assistance to small farms and processors with questions or issues related to food licensing or food safety.
Inspection of licensed food facilities provides industry oversight, quickly identifies food safety problems, and prevents illness. FSD has been able to limit the number of food safety incidents through routine inspections.
  • Developed a pilot risk-based inspection program which limits criteria to critical violations. This allows inspectors to spend time on the more likely areas of food safety concern in retail and food processing settings.
  • Performed 13,446 inspections of nearly 8,000 licensed food establishments, including retail stores, food processors, bakeries, warehouses, and locker plants in 2009 with a similar number in 2010.
  • Performed 1,147 inspections of dairy producers, Grade A dairy plants, and dairy products plants in 2009 with a similar number in 2010. Also collected more than 5,500 milk samples to be tested for antibiotics, bacteria, and standards of identity.
  • Completed pre-season samples of crab viscera for domoic acid in each of the past two years, which helps determine the appropriate opening date of the Dungeness crab season.
  • Collected 1,889 water samples and 595 shellfish samples in 2009-10 to be analyzed for bacteria and marine biotoxins.
FSD continues to receive state and federal recognition for its rapid response to emergencies involving food-borne pathogens. Several high profile food product recalls in 2009-10 relied on immediate FSD involvement, which helped keep affected firms in business while protecting public health.
  • Participated in the 2009 national recall of peanuts and peanut products due to an outbreak of salmonella, making sure products were removed from stores, warehouses, and food banks throughout Oregon. FDA reported that FSD performed more effectiveness checks and removed a higher percentage of product than any other state.
  • Led a multi-agency effort to embargo and recall Oregon hazelnuts linked to salmonella. FSD worked closely with the facility, the Oregon Hazelnut Commission, and FDA to return the facility to full production as soon as possible while providing training to hazelnut producers/processors on required food safety practices.
  • Responded immediately to a Norovirus outbreak linked to an Oregon oyster farm on the eve of a popular seafood and wine festival. Working around the clock, FSD recalled all potentially contaminated oysters, avoiding hundreds of potential illnesses and getting the oyster company quickly back into production.
Federal food agencies such as FDA rely on partnerships with state programs to help ensure a safe food supply. FSD has emerged as a leader among state programs in providing front line efforts for FDA as well as involvement in national food safety reform. There have been several examples this biennium.
  • Participated in the national Partnership for Food Protection workgroups. Several FSD staff members serve on various workgroups established by FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve the nation’s ability to ensure a safe food supply.
  • Completed 600 FDA food manufacturing inspections in 2010, second only to Texas in inspection numbers.
  • Recorded a 27 percent improvement in the FDA 2010 Shellfish Plant Sanitation audit, resulting in the highest assessment in ODA history.
  • Became the first state food safety program to receive acidified food processing training required to participate in FDA contracts. Oregon is the only state to have 100 percent of its inspectors trained in this procedure.

Goals

  • Expand communication and cooperation with federal, state, and county food safety programs, public health partners, and industry partnerships to ensure delivery of food safety services to the public including education and outreach.
  • Maintain staff and resources at a sufficient level to effectively track and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks and their sources.
  • Work with the Public Health Division to adopt one uniform food code for the state.
  • Conduct a risk-based inspection pilot program in retail food establishments.
  • Increase inspection time in manufacturing plants.
  • Cross train field staff (especially 16 new employees from past two years) in all programs.
  • Work with the shellfish industry to develop equitable fee structure to adequately fund the Shellfish Program.

Spotlight on service

The primary goal of ODA’s Food Safety Division is to protect the public from food borne pathogens. FSD quickly responds to incidents and food recalls by getting products removed and stopping the outbreak at its source. The ultimate success is when that is accomplished while keeping affected food establishments in business.

In 2010, the Oregon Public Health Division (OPHD) linked several, infrequent illnesses caused by Salmonella braenderup to fluid milk produced in Umpqua Dairy’s Roseburg plant. FSD immediately sent an inspector to test Umpqua’s pasteurization equipment, which was found to be 100 percent effective. FSD and OPHD then jointly conducted an inspection of the plant, taking more than 100 samples. No pathogens were found in product samples. However, Salmonella was discovered in the plant’s packaging area on the case line. FSD inspectors pinpointed the source of the contamination to only external surfaces of containers. FSD inspectors assisted Umpqua in the clean up process and helped establish an on-going sampling process to check for pathogens.

As a result of the unified effort of FSD, OPHD, and Umpqua, the outbreak source was eliminated. Umpqua returned to full production in only four days and did not lose any of its fluid milk accounts. This was good news to the 240 Umpqua employees and the local economy.
Measurement Standards
Measurement Standards section cover
"If weighing and measuring devices are even slightly off, it can cost Oregon consumers and businesses millions of dollars. Our presence in the marketplace helps provide consumer protection while fostering fair competition among businesses."
 
Jason Barber, Administrator

Mission

To prevent consumer fraud, while encouraging economic growth and fostering fair competition among businesses, by ensuring the accuracy and validity of commercial transactions based upon weight and/or measure; ensure that Oregon's motor fuels meet national standards for quality while helping to regulate and enforce Oregon's Renewable Fuel Standard; and, provide official and traceable mass, volume, and length calibration services to businesses.

Staffing

The Measurement Standards Division (MSD) has 30 employees with 10 staff based in Salem and 20 field inspectors strategically located throughout the state to conduct marketplace inspections in Oregon's metropolitan and rural communities.

What we do

MSD helps ensure fairness between buyer and seller during commercial transactions and helps foster a high level of accuracy and confidence within Oregon's commercial measuring system. This is achieved through three basic programs administered by MSD to protect consumers and businesses.

Weighing and Measuring Device Program

The Weighing and Measuring Device Program tests and licenses all commercially used weighing and measuring equipment in Oregon.
  • Examines approximately 54,000 commercially used weighing and measuring devices for compliance. This helps prevent fraud and encourages fair competition by ensuring devices used in commerce are suitable for their intended use, properly installed, accurate, and properly maintained by their operator and/or owner.
  • Enhances effectiveness and efficiency through the use of new technologies and ongoing staff training in order to protect Oregon consumers and businesses from quantity misrepresentation.

Motor Fuel Quality Program

The Motor Fuel Quality Program ensures that motor fuels in Oregon meet national standards, and helps implement, regulate, and enforce Oregon's Renewable Fuel Standard.

  • Monitors, screens, and samples gasoline, diesel, and biofuels sold in Oregon to ensure the motor fuels meet national quality standards and that motorists get the correct octane level in the fuel they purchase.
  • Works with industry representatives, retailers, and other interested parties to implement, regulate, and enforce Oregon’s Renewable Fuel Standard, ensuring Oregon consumers receive a quality product.

Metrology Laboratory

The Metrology Laboratory maintains Oregon’s mass and volumetric standards and provides legal metrological calibration services to businesses.

  • Provides technical assistance to businesses in the proper selection and use of weighing and measuring equipment by collecting and distributing information on the continuing advancement of commercial measurement technology.
  • Maintains MSD's Metrology Laboratory's high level of accreditation (Echelon I mass laboratory), which permits the highest precision calibration available as required by today's high technology business sector. This accreditation helps Oregon's manufacturing and production industries meet the international marketplace's ISO 9000 requirements.
Consumer protection and fairness in the marketplace is achieved throughout all MSD activities.
  • Investigates consumer complaints of discrepancies in weighing and measuring devices as well as gasoline and diesel fuel quality.
  • Researches and investigates specific segments of the business sector as trends develop (i.e., scrap gold buying) in order to assure compliance.
  • Participates with the National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in order to develop and be aware of the latest technology and regulations for weighing and measuring devices and motor fuel quality, and keeping Oregon industry apprised.

Major accomplishments

Oregon transactions that involved weighing or measuring totaled $80 billion in 2008, the most recent year of available statistics. Devices that are even slightly off can have an impact of millions of dollars, either for or against the consumer.

The presence of MSD inspectors in the Oregon marketplace helps provide consumer protection while at the same time fostering fair competition among businesses based on quality, price, customer satisfaction, response time, and marketing.
  • Conducted 52,626 performance tests on weighing and measuring devices in 2009. As a result, 3,631 corrective actions were made and another 4,257 stop use and repair orders were issued.
  • Conducted annual certification of the belt-conveyor scale systems used in the Port of Portland. As an example of this activity's importance, millions of pounds of potash are exported yearly across these belt-conveyor scales. The certification of these scale systems helps Oregonians market their products.
  • Worked closely with Oregon's agriculture industry examining farm produce scales, grain elevator scales, livestock scales, truck scales, railroad scales, and automatic bulk weighing systems to assure Oregon products are accurately weighed.
  • Worked closely with Oregon's seafood processing and distribution industry to conduct annual certification of scales and automatic bulk weighing systems to assure the accuracy of product being weighed.
  • Continued to work with Oregon's farmers' markets by conducting annual certification of produce scales and offering technical advice regarding the proper selection and use of weighing devices.
More than 2 billion gallons of motor fuel are sold in Oregon each year. With the average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline generally at $2.88, consumers spent nearly $6 billion on fuel dispensed through meters examined by MSD's Motor Fuel Quality Program. Even small errors attributed to the meters can be costly to consumers and businesses. The presence of MSD inspectors in the marketplace ensures that operators are not manipulating the quantity or quality of fuel sold in Oregon.
  • Completed annual performance tests on 28,554 retail motor fuel dispensers in Oregon. Of these, 3,677 were either rejected or corrective actions were made by MSD inspectors. The relatively small percentage of violations discovered reflects that motorists are generally receiving accurate amounts of fuel.
  • Screened a total of 3,938 fuel samples to ensure that consumers receive the octane level they are purchasing.
  • Conducted 5,545 tests on fuel storage tanks for excessive water. Of these, 221 tests found the presence of some water and 38 tanks had excessive water, requiring they be removed from service until corrective action was taken.
  • Implemented the biodiesel portion of Oregon's Renewable Fuel Standard in 2009. The mandate requires the blending of diesel fuel with a minimum of 2 percent by volume biodiesel.
Oregon's MSD Metrology Laboratory is one of only nine US laboratories recognized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Weights and Measures Division and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) as an Echelon I mass laboratory, which permits the highest precision calibrations available. The precision provided by the lab provides a foundation for accuracy of all weighing and measuring devices in Oregon.
  • Calibrated MSD's weighing and measuring equipment used to accurately inspect commercial devices statewide, while providing similar service to 71 outside customers, calibrating over 4,453 individual pieces of equipment. (As of January 1, 2010)
  • Performed calibrations and support to numerous industries, including aerial services, agriculture, aluminum fabrication, helicopter manufacturing, insect-repellent manufacturing, meter repair, pharmaceutical, scale manufacturing and repair, seafood processing and distribution, semi-conductor manufacturing, medical equipment repair, precision electronics, engineering, petroleum sales, grocery food distribution, chemical agent disposition, and environmental services (waste management).

Goals

  • Prevent consumer fraud, encourage economic growth and fair competition by monitoring Oregon's 54,000 commercial weighing and measuring devices. Maintain accuracy, proper installation, and suitability for intended use. Ensure devices are maintained by their owners and operators.
  • Continue to ensure that the two billion gallons of motor fuel sold in Oregon meet national quality standards. Work closely with industry representatives, retailers, and other interested parties to implement, regulate, and enforce Oregon's Renewable Fuel Standard.
  • Develop an examination program and train personnel regarding the issue of higher ethanol blends (i.e., E15 and above), hydrogen fuel, compressed natural gas, and other alternative motor vehicle fuels. Activities include quality assurance, and dispenser testing and certification.
  • Continue to offer the highest calibration services possible through ODA's Metrology Laboratory to Oregon's high technology business sector.
  • Train MSD staff in new technology, investigations, specifications, tolerances and other technical requirements for weighing and measuring devices along with the rapidly changing area of renewable fuels and motor fuel quality.
  • Enhance the MSD webpage and other public information tools to streamline the complaint process, and increase consumer and business awareness regarding measurement accuracy.
  • Provide training on Oregon's weights and measures regulations to weighing and measuring device service agencies.
  • Collaborate with industry to ensure MSD programs maintain a sound financial base.

Spotlight on service

The high price of gold and the economic downturn is prompting many Americans to find ways of making some cash. As a result, more Oregonians are looking to sell gold jewelry and collectibles at pawn shops and to mobile gold-purchasing companies that travel from state to state. ODA’s Measurement Standards Division is ensuring that gold transactions are legitimate.

Companies that purchase gold from consumers are using scales to weigh the items. Consumers hoping to get a fair price for their gold item might be at the mercy of a scale that underweighs, giving them less money than they are owed. Some fly-by-night companies are scam operators that grossly underpay by design.

MSD is making sure gold buyers use legal-for-trade scales that have been licensed and examined by ODA field inspectors. In the summer of 2010, MSD sent letters to pawn shops informing them about the need for licensing and approved equipment. Those letters were followed up with on-site inspections. ODA continues to respond and check for compliance regarding random gold buying operations that advertise locally and set up shop for a limited duration. Similar efforts have been underway with jewelers.

Without MSD inspection, consumers may not get fair payment for their gold.
Natural Resources
NRD section cover
"Sustaining Oregon's land and water does not come at the cost of agricultural production. Helping landowners conserve, protect, and develop natural resources is good for the industry and good for all of Oregon."
 
Ray Jaindl, Administrator

Mission

To conserve, protect, and develop natural resources on public and private lands so agriculture is productive and economically viable in Oregon.

Staffing

The Natural Resources Division (NRD) has a permanent, Salem-based staff of 28 and a field staff of seven. Several temporary employees work during the summer field-burning season. The staff includes water quality planners, livestock water quality specialists, and technical specialists with expertise in hydrology, GIS, riparian lands, and land use.

What we do

NRD addresses water quality and natural resources conservation for agricultural lands. Through outreach efforts, compliance, monitoring, and coordination with other natural resource agencies, the division helps landowners meet society goals in a manner that makes both economic and environmental sense.

The Agricultural Water Quality Management Program

NRD has developed and implemented watershed-based management plans that identify goals and help agricultural landowners protect water quality.
  • Oversees review of all 39 agricultural water quality management plans each biennium.
  • Convenes annually a Water Quality Program Advisory Committee representing farmers, ranchers, environmental organizations, government, and industry to provide input on key issues.
  • Provides program outreach, monitoring, compliance, and assistance to landowners and local management agencies.
  • Works to ensure successful implementation of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds by addressing agricultural water quality concerns.

The Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Program

The CAFO Program operates under a memorandum of agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to permit animal feeding operations and achieve compliance with state and federal laws.
  • Conducts routine annual inspections of CAFO facilities to ensure animal waste does not cause water pollution.
  • Helps CAFO operators comply with reporting and record keeping requirements.
  • Provides operational reviews at the request of CAFO operators, and assistance in the development and operation of Animal Waste Management Plans.
  • Maintains a statewide CAFO Program advisory committee of farmers, ranchers, industry representatives, and interested public to identify opportunities for improvement.

Soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs)

NRD assists soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) that, in turn, help landowners properly manage Oregon’s natural resources.
  • Supports the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and provides administrative oversight and state funding coordination to Oregon’s 45 SWCDs.
  • Helps SWCDs deliver technical assistance and conservation programs to landowners to improve water quality, salmon habitat, and general watershed health.
  • Provides leadership and coordination of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a cooperative program between the state and USDA that improves streamside conditions on agricultural land.

Other programs

  • Administers smoke management and research programs, providing coordination and oversight of Willamette Valley field burning.
  • Addresses land use issues related to farmland, providing input on policy discussions that could impact Oregon’s ability to protect agricultural lands.
  • Facilitates requests for USDA and state weather-related disaster declarations that provide financial assistance for impacted farmers and ranchers.
  • Manages oyster plat leasing in state estuaries along the Oregon coast.

Major accomplishments

NRD programs are successful because of their flexibility to help both large and small acreage landowners meet environmental expectations in an economically viable manner.
The Agricultural Water Quality Management Program addressed state water quality goals in 2009-2010.
  • Conducted outreach efforts that improved public awareness of water quality laws and landowner responsibilities to manage resources for water quality.
  • Resolved water quality complaints and issues, mostly through non-regulatory paths. These are win-win solutions and the results often result in improved operation management, livestock health, and soil retention.
  • Led efforts by SWCDs to enhance landowner participation in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the installation of riparian buffers—primarily through streamside planting of trees, shrubs, and native vegetation.
  • Participated in state efforts to address toxics as identified by legislation adopted in 2007. The program plays a key role in reducing sediments, which can be a source of the toxic material, and their discharge from rural lands.
  • Addressed 88 compliance concerns in 2009. All but one were resolved prior to having to take official enforcement action.
  • Participated in the state's efforts to develop an integrated water resources strategy.
The CAFO program helps livestock operators manage animal waste so water pollution does not occur.
  • Worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to jointly renew the Oregon CAFO General Permit. The Permit (General Permit # 1-2009) is a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that incorporates Oregon CAFO statute and rules with the Federal Clean Water Act, CAFO requirements.
  • Implemented state water quality laws and the Federal Clean Water Act for CAFOs.
  • Registered more than 560 CAFO operations to the new permit. This required review and approval of Animal Waste Management Plans for each operation and a new requirement to post notices for public review.
  • Implemented “performance based” CAFO inspections, improving relationships between ODA and the regulated community and helping facilities comply with water quality laws.
  • Conducted 581 routine annual inspections in 2009, 120 follow up inspections, 47 complaint inspections, and 53 other types of inspections.
Local soil and water conservation districts play an important role in protecting and improving Oregon’s natural resources. NRD assists through its Soil and Water Conservation District Program.
  • Continued to support the SWCD board of directors election process.
  • Helped distribute funding from Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and other funding vehicles in conjunction with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB).
  • Administered a program that distributed $6 million in state and federal funds under OWEB grant agreements to Oregon's 45 SWCDs. These funds allowed SWCDs to help landowners with conservation planning, project design, construction inspection, and projects associated with local Agricultural Water Quality Area Management Plans.
  • Helped districts develop and implement an employee training program in 2009 and 2010 to help staff stay in compliance with employee, contract, and other laws.
The Smoke Management Program regulates field burning in the Willamette Valley.
  • Adopted new rules in response to major statutory changes by the 2009 Oregon Legislature. The new statutes eliminated field burning in the south Willamette Valley, reduced the acres permitted to be burned in northern areas of the valley, and increased the variety and types of protective non-burning areas.
  • Maintained an e-mail subscription service notifying the public of potential field burning in their local area.
Maintaining high quality agricultural land in production is an important long-term strategy for Oregon. NRD’s Land Use Program provides technical assistance to farmers as well as local, regional, and state governments on land use proposals. NRD also plays a key coordinating role when natural disasters strike.
  • Provided technical expertise on a variety of land use policy issues affecting agricultural lands including urban growth management, commercial and entertainment activities on agricultural lands, the siting of energy generation and transmission facilities, and the mining of aggregate on agricultural lands.
  • Participated as part of a state response team that provided drought assistance to the Klamath Basin during the 2010 growing season, and advised the governor on agricultural impacts.

Goals

  • Monitor the effectiveness of the Agricultural Water Quality Management Program including the effectiveness of management practices, improvements in stream and riparian condition, and improvements of water chemistry.
  • Improve integration of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Agricultural Water Quality Management Plans through improved coordination between the Agricultural Water Quality Management Program and DEQ.
  • Implement agricultural water quality management area plans through education and outreach to agricultural landowners.
  • Maintain the inspection, enforcement, outreach, and compliance assistance program for permitted CAFOs.
  • Provide leadership for voluntary, incentive-based USDA Farm Bill assistance programs, such as the Oregon Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
  • Provide guidance to all 45 SWCDs on effective district operation including long range business plans, conservation easements, financial management, and legal compliance.
  • Continue to address land use issues related to farmland and provide input on policy discussion that could impact Oregon's ability to protect agricultural lands.

Spotlight on service

The Oregon Department of Agriculture relies on partnerships with industry to sustain the natural resource base so important to all of the state.

ODA’s Natural Resources Division has worked for many years with Oregon’s dairy producers and the Dairy Farmers Association of Oregon (ODFA) to meet and exceed state and federal requirements that insure water pollution does not occur. A 2003 requirement for permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to keep records related to manure management presented a challenge to dairy farmers. They needed something that was easy to use and readily available when it was time to record information related to the operation. This presented an opportunity for collaboration between ODFA and ODA’s CAFO program to develop a tool that would help dairy operators to meet this requirement. An easy-to-use CAFO records calendar was developed by ODFA staff. It’s essentially a wall calendar that prompts producers to record required information when needed and, because it is a tool farmers can hang up in the office, barn, or even tractor, was easily accessible. ODA funded the production and distribution, and worked with permitted operators to implement the CAFO records calendar.

Working with the dairy industry through ODFA is just one example of the many partnerships ODA forms with its constituents to achieve state goals related to natural resources management.
Pesticides
Pesticides section cover
"Every person in Oregon, whether or not they use the products we regulate, is affected by the work of the Pesticides Division."
 
Chris Kirby, Administrator

Mission

To protect people and the environment from any adverse effects of pesticide use, maintain the availability of pesticides for beneficial use, and assure that effective fertilizer products are provided to the agriculture industry and consumers.

Staffing

The Pesticides Division has a total of 25 full time positions, including four managers, eight pesticide field investigators, seven pesticide technical staff, three fertilizer technical staff, and three support staff. Pesticide Division staff are located in Hermiston, Baker City, Bend, Central Point, and Salem.

What we do

The Pesticides Division protects Oregon’s environment and public health by ensuring the proper and legal use of pesticide products. Pesticide products include substances intended to control or manage pests. Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, repellents, and disinfectants are all examples of pesticide products. These products are used for agriculture and forestry pest control, and in a wide variety of commercial, public, and non-ag/urban sites.
  • Registers pesticide and fertilizer products in Oregon, allowing the legal sale or distribution and use of these products. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines the uses and restrictions of each pesticide product. ODA's Pesticides Division ensures this information is accurately contained on the product label.
  • Licenses pesticide users by first assessing their level of knowledge and expertise. This is accomplished by taking, and passing, specific written examinations prior to licensing.
  • Provides outreach and education to both licensed pesticide users and the general public. This is done through continuing education training courses, informational brochures, the ODA website, and one-on-one communication.
  • Communicates changes in pesticide uses to Oregon pesticide users. This includes changes to product labels to mitigate risks to people, endangered species, waterways, etc.
  • Investigates complaints of alleged pesticide misuse and administers enforcement action when appropriate. Enforcement actions, including civil penalties, play a vital role in deterring unlawful use of pesticides.
  • Conducts marketplace inspections of fertilizer products for nutrient analysis and heavy metal content.
  • Requests special authorizations from EPA for specific pesticide uses, otherwise not available including Special Local Need registrations or Emergency Exemptions sometimes necessary to control potentially devastating pests and diseases.
  • Participates as a key member of the Pesticide Analytical Response Center (PARC), which reviews claims of adverse health, or environmental harm associated with pesticide use.

Major accomplishments

The Pesticides Division ensures pesticide products used in Oregon are registered and labeled correctly, and that people are applying pesticides in a lawful manner. Keeping track of pesticide products and licensed users helps to safeguard human health and the environment. Regulatory activities, as tracked in 2009, provide a good accounting of the division's work.
  • Registered all 11,521 pesticide products offered for sale in Oregon.
  • Obtained 237 Special Local Need registrations and 10 Emergency Exemption authorizations from EPA for specific pesticide uses in Oregon not otherwise available. This was a benefit to agricultural producers with limited options to control pests.
ODA administers pesticide certification examinations throughout the state in order to ensure a base level of competency of certified applicators and to meet federal requirements. Certification is required prior to licensing as a pesticide applicator, pesticide consultant, or private pesticide applicator. For commercial and public applicators, pesticide certification in specific use categories is required for the type of applications conducted and is contingent upon taking, and passing, written examinations. In 2009, the Pesticides Division accomplished part of its mission through licensing and certification.
  • Licensed 12,768 pesticide users. Those licensees include private, public, and commercial pesticide applicators, trainees, operators, dealers, and consultants.
  • Administered 4,004 pesticide certification or re-certification exams.
  • Evaluated 1,085 re-certification courses for pesticide users. This assures licensed pesticide users are continuing their education requirements to maintain certification.
  • Conducted over 110 pesticide safety education presentations.
Compliance monitoring investigations determine appropriate use of pesticides and fertilizers. Enforcement actions help deter future improper actions. The Pesticides Division actively responds to pesticide and fertilizer-related incidents.
  • Received and evaluated 313 pesticide related complaints in 2009. Completed 435 investigations dealing with pesticides. (27 percent of all complaints were substantiated and led to investigations).
  • Issued enforcement actions for pesticide violations including 26 civil penalties totaling $113,874; issued 53 advisory notices, 83 notices of violation, and 23 referrals to EPA.
  • Issued enforcement actions for fertilizer violations including 129 stop sale, use, or removal orders; 12 notices of violation; and 5 civil penalties in the amount of $8,000.
  • Administered the Pesticide Analytical and Response Center (PARC) investigation of 76 incidents of alleged health or environmental harm associated with pesticide use. Data collected by PARC is used to make policy recommendations for action.
  • Cooperated with US Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to investigate the death of geese in the Willamette Valley associated with the pesticide zinc phosphide. Efforts included educating pesticide users, consultants, and dealers on proper use.
The Fertilizer Program protects consumers by ensuring that claims made on a label accurately represent the product. Product registration facilitates review and evaluation of label claims, and ensures heavy metal levels do not exceed state limits for arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel. This program addresses products used in agriculture, urban/residential, and hydroponics.
  • Registered 7,343 fertilizer, agricultural mineral, agricultural amendment, and lime products in 2010, amounting to more than 1.1 million tons of product (2009 tonnage). The program also licensed 269 manufacturer/bulk distributors.
  • Conducted 84 marketplace inspections in both 2009 and 2010 sampling and analyzing 143 products for accurate claims.
  • Provided grant monies, through ODA's Fertilizer Research Program, for projects that address the interactions of fertilizers, agricultural minerals, and agricultural amendments with ground or surface water. Since 1990, the program has provided $1,814,469 for 86 projects dealing with a wide variety of Oregon crops throughout the state.
Being proactive, not just reactive to potential pesticide problems is a key strategy for the Pesticides Division. New efforts have been initiated to address environmental or health issues connected to pesticide use.
  • Reconfigured districts covered by investigators to better respond to incidents and needs. This resulted in new field offices being established in Bend and Baker City.
  • Increased participation by investigators and other staff in pesticide user educational events.
  • Participated in the Certification Training Advisory Group (CTAG), a national group established by EPA. Helped create pesticide training manuals, develop pesticide information delivery techniques, implement computer based testing, and other important tools to educate pesticide users.
  • Collaborated with other key state agencies and EPA to establish the Water Quality Pesticide Management Team to evaluate the impact of pesticides on groundwater and surface water in Oregon.
  • Obtained information, provided comments, and made suggestions regarding changes in pesticide regulation enacted or proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • Increased funding to Oregon State University North Willamette Research and Extension Center for minor crops pesticide research.

Goals

  • Streamline pesticide certification and licensing processes to facilitate business needs and ensure responsible pesticide use.
  • Coordinate with Oregon State University in communicating changes in federal and/or state pesticide regulations and in implementing the Integrated Pest Management in Schools program.
  • Collaborate with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Health Authority through a Memorandum of Understanding in implementing the Pesticide Management Plan to address pesticides found in surface and ground water.
  • Work cooperatively with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in the development and implementation of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for pesticide applications to, over, and near waters of the state.
  • Increase outreach and compliance assistance for current and new pesticide requirements.
  • Convert limited duration Pesticide Investigator positions authorized for 2009-2011 to permanent positions; maintain field offices and staff levels established in 2009-2011.

Spotlight on service

Having a good relationship and solid lines of communication with the ODA's customers pays off in many ways. The Pesticides Division consistently listens to its licensees and responds to their needs in a practical and timely fashion. That often results in efficiency gains that save time and money for the regulated community.

This past biennium, the Oregon Pesticide Control Association came to ODA with a concern regarding the length of time it took for a new employee to go through the process of taking required pesticide certification examinations and ultimately get licensed. The primary concern was the time it took to get results of examinations, which left companies paying wages for days while they waited to see if the employee qualified for a pesticide license. In response to this concern, the Pesticides Division has now contracted with a private firm to establish and manage computer based testing at testing centers throughout the state. At the conclusion of taking a pesticide exam, results are immediately available. This is anticipated to save approximately 7-14 days of wages paid by Oregon pest management companies by expediting the process to obtain pesticide licensing for their employees.


Plant Division
Plant Division section cover
"ODA, Plant Division has a 30-year history of protecting Oregon from gypsy moths. We're especially proud of pioneering the use of environmentally benign treatments."
 
Dan Hilburn, Administrator

Mission

To protect Oregon from non-native insect pests, plant diseases, and weeds; enhance the value of exported nursery stock and Christmas trees through inspection and certification; coordinate statewide noxious weed control efforts; and protect at-risk native plants.

Staffing

The Plant Division has 22 Salem-based and 20 field staff; 30-50 seasonal positions are filled each summer.

What we do

The Plant Division helps protect Oregon’s natural resources by working to exclude or minimize the impact of insect pests, noxious weeds, and other invasive species from Oregon. Maintaining a relatively pest-free environment enhances Oregon’s agricultural marketability and reduces the need for chemical control. Detection and eradication programs keep invasive species from establishing. Inspection and certification programs ensure the health and quality of products before they are shipped to the marketplace.

Insect Pest Prevention and Management section

  • Enacts and maintains quarantine regulations to protect Oregon from introductions of invasive insect pests.
  • Designs, implements, and conducts statewide surveys to quickly detect populations of invasive pests.
  • Eradicates populations of invasive pests while they are still low in numbers so that economic and environmental harm is prevented and the cost of eradication is low.
  • Introduces and redistributes biological control agents to reduce the impacts of invasive pests that are widespread to reduce economic and environmental harm and minimize insecticide use.
  • Provides insect identification, technical information, and general outreach for stakeholders, agriculturalists, and the general public.

Noxious Weed Control section

  • Enacts and maintains weed quarantine regulations to protect Oregon from introductions of invasive weeds.
  • Surveys for invasive weeds so that newly introduced populations are found as soon as possible.
  • Eradicates populations of invasive weeds while they are still low in numbers so that economic and environmental harm is prevented and the cost of eradication is low.
  • Contains the spread of invasive weed populations that have not yet spread to their full potential range.
  • Introduces and redistributes biological control agents to reduce the impacts of widely distributed noxious weeds.
  • Acts as a primary resource for weed identification and weed management information.
  • Provides leadership and coordinates activities among federal, state, county, and local weed management entities.
  • Administers the State Weed Board Grant Program, allowing land managers to obtain lottery funds for weed control projects that protect watersheds and wildlife habitat.
  • Conducts risk assessments of invasive weeds, allowing resources to be focused on the highest priority species.

Nursery and Christmas Tree section

  • Inspects and certifies Oregon-grown nursery stock and Christmas trees shipped out-of-state to meet the importation requirements of other states and countries.
  • Helps nurseries produce nursery stock and Christmas trees that are free of insect pests, diseases, and weeds so that harmful pests aren’t spread, and Oregon’s reputation for high-quality is maintained.
  • Inspects high-risk imported nursery stock so that unhealthy stock doesn’t spread insect pests, plant diseases, or weeds.
  • Participates in the USDA Phytophthora ramorum (a.k.a. sudden oak death/SOD) nursery certification program ensuring Oregon nursery stock can be shipped to other states and countries.
  • Conducts a Grower Assisted Inspection Program (GAIP) to help growers implement best management practices to reduce plant diseases.

Native Plant Conservation section

  • Develops and implements conservation plans for state-protected threatened and endangered plants.
  • Reviews state agency activities associated with listed species to identify potential threats to remaining populations and provide conflict resolution.
  • Supplies assistance to state and local agencies, and the general public in dealing with native plant protection issues.
  • Maintains the official state list of endangered and threatened plant species.

Major accomplishments

Invasive species remain a major threat to Oregon's environment and economy. Early detection and rapid response are the watch words for ODA's Plant Division, which continues to protect the state's natural resources and agricultural industry through successful programs and efforts.
  • Continued a thirty year history of detecting and eradicating gypsy moth infestations. A 626 acre infestation was successfully treated in Eugene with a biological pesticide. Early detection through a successful trapping program has played a role in keeping down gypsy moth populations, resulting in no need for eradication projects in 2010 and 2011.
  • Detected several new non-native invertebrates including wrinkled dune snail, European banded wood snail, a European ground beetle, a European weevil, and a European moss beetle.
  • Initiated an eradication project in partnership with the Port of Portland to eradicate an infestation of Japanese beetle at Portland International Airport.
  • Monitored and helped land managers deal with a large outbreak of grasshoppers in Eastern Oregon.
  • Coordinated with Oregon State University to educate fruit growers on how to protect their crops from spotted wing Drosophila, a new pest of fruits and berries.
  • Installed a digital imaging system allowing staff to take high resolution pictures of small insects and produce excellent quality photographs for outreach and training materials.
  • Implemented over 300 noxious weed control projects and released biological control agents at over 400 sites. Awarded 150 grants totaling over $2 million to cooperators conducting noxious weed control projects that protected watersheds and enhanced wildlife habitat.
  • Conducted eradication projects on new invaders such as giant hogweed, yellowtuft, purple starthistle, African rue, Paterson's curse, distaff thistle, barbed goatgrass, and kudzu.
  • Completed weed risk assessments for 17 plants, including Japanese dodder, laurel spruge, Phragmites, and English hawthorn.
Effective inspection and certification services required by Oregon producers are now being enhanced through innovative programs that serve as a model for the rest of the country. The Nursery and Christmas Tree section continues to respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
  • Initiated a grower assisted inspection program (GAIP) for nurseries based on best management practices to reduce plant disease problems in nurseries. GAIP empowers nurseries to do their own inspections and adopt practices that lessen the likelihood of finding Phytopthora ramorum, the cause of sudden oak death.
  • Issued about 9,000 phytosanitary certificates per year for plant shipments destined to out-of-state and foreign markets. Over 90 percent are now written and issued electronically through an online system.
Protecting and restoring native plants in Oregon is a constant battle at a time where resources are limited. Once again, the Plant Division has looked to new approaches to solve old problems.
  • Organized an outside review of the Native Plant Conservation Program that resulted in a recommended redesign of the program to one focused on assisting partners rather than doing all the field work in-house. Funding options are being explored.
  • In cooperation with ODOT, developed a habitat conservation plan to guide roadside maintenance activities that will shield ODOT from Endangered Species Act "take" liability.
In addition, the division played a key role in the Oregon Invasive Species Council (OISC), which delivered a number of major accomplishments.
  • Completed a statewide assessment of invasive species activities. The assessment is a first of its kind in the country and its results will help with the development of an invasive species strategic plan for Oregon.
  • Helped pass 11 of 12 bills related to invasive species in the 2009 legislature, including a $350,000 emergency fund, and a bill to place the OISC under the administrative wing of ODA.
  • Helped coordinate a multi-agency response to the discovery of an exotic sea squirt on the Oregon coast.
  • Implemented a education program to encourage people to buy and burn local firewood to prevent the importation of invasive species.

Goals

  • Redesign the native plant conservation program so that it is effective, efficient, and stable.
  • Protect Oregon from gypsy moth, Japanese beetle, African rue, Paterson's curse, and other invasive insects and weeds on the State's list of 100 Most Dangerous Invaders.
  • Continue to convert to electronic data gathering and submission to improve efficiency and reduce data errors.
  • Continue to partner with the Oregon Invasive Species Council, USDA, BLM, counties, and other land managers to address high priority invasive weed and pest issues.

Spotlight on service

Oregon’s fruit crops made it to the marketplace in good shape in 2010 despite fears that a tiny fruit fly would have a huge negative impact. A combination of an effective monitoring program and management tools for growers seems to be keeping the spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) in check. ODA’s Plant Division has been a key player in coordinating grower outreach and education.

SWD larvae infest ripe and ripening fruits, unlike most Drosophila fruit flies that only bother rotting fruit. Once the larvae hatch and begin feeding, the fruit softens and disintegrates. It’s almost impossible to detect infested fruit until it is too late. Eradication is not an option. Preventative control is the best chance Oregon has in protecting crop yields and maintaining markets.

Working with Oregon State University, the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and a private consulting service, ODA’s Plant Division was central to a unified response against SWD. Through an effective combination of setting and monitoring traps, and taking protective measures when SWD was detected a major pest threat has so far been brought under control. ODA entomologists have participated in informational grower meetings and remain a key resource for the industry. The cooperative effort serves as a model for dealing with future insect pest problems in Oregon.
ODA Directory
Directory graphic
ODA directory
 
Print document
Cover photo
Download entire ODA Biennial Report (3.2 MB pdf)
 
Request a printed copy of the ODA Biennial Report
ODA Information Office
635 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532
Phone: 503-986-4550
Email: info@oda.state.or.us 

Previous Biennial Reports
Download entire 2007-2009 ODA Biennial Report (3.2 MB pdf)

Past editions
ODA 2007-2009 Biennial Report

Page updated: January 25, 2012