Honorees announced

Doc and Connie Hatfield and Bob Terry will be presented with the Agri-Business Council of Oregon’s top awards at the 12th annual Denim & Diamonds Dinner and Auction.

The Hatfields are founding members of Country Natural Beef, a cooperative of more than 100 ranch families that raise beef in a sustainable fashion.

The Hatfields were selected for the council’s 2009 Ag Connection Award. The award is given annually to recognize outstanding leadership in connecting the public with agriculture.

Terry is owner of Fisher Farms, a wholesale nursery with four locations in Washington and Yamhill counties.

Terry was selected for the 2009 Agriculturalist of the Year Award for his work in advocating the importance of agriculture to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the state.

Denim and Diamonds will take place Nov. 20 at the Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Ave., in downtown Portland. Tickets are $110 for ABC members and $145 for non-members.

Information: www.aglink.org, or call 503-595-9121.

–Mitch Lies

Water agency seeks comments

The Oregon Water Resources Department is seeking comments on the development of a statewide integrated water resources strategy.

The strategy is intended to serve as a road map for the state to follow in addressing Oregon’s water needs now and in the future.

Topics the department has identified to address in the strategy include water quantity, water quality, ecology, economy, social issues and the implications of climate change.

The department also has drafted issue papers outlining challenges, concerns and opportunities attached to water use.

Nearly 80 percent of Oregon’s agricultural crop value is tied to irrigation. Competing interests and limited water availability have combined to put that usage in jeopardy in the future. Also, given more access to water, the state could dramatically increase the value of its agriculture.

Comments on the department’s issue papers or its strategy can be sent to waterstrategy@wrd.state.or.us. Comments also can be sent to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, which is serving as a consulting agency on the strategy. Direct those comments to bsearle@oda.state.or.us. or rjaindl@oda.state.or.us.

–Mitch Lies

Pesticide distributor fined

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Wilbur-Ellis Co. just under $100,000 for 21 alleged violations of federal pesticide law in four Western states.

Included in the violations are failure to include protective equipment information on labels and distribution of a restricted-use pesticide to a non-certified applicator.

The EPA also found Wilbur-Ellis applicators not wearing personal protective equipment that was required on pesticide labels.

EPA uncovered alleged violations involving Wilbur-Ellis in Idaho, Washington, California and Arizona.

Wilbur-Ellis has agreed to pay the $99,600 fine, according to EPA.

“Through the cooperation of several regulatory agencies, we were able to bring to the attention of this large corporation some serious problems,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the communities and ecosystems division in EPA’s Pacific Southwest region.

Wilbur-Ellis is a leading international distributor and marketer of agricultural products with multiple West Coast outlets.

–Mitch Lies