berry commissions news - Oregon State Library: State Employee

FALL 2007
BERRY COMMISSIONS NEWS
A grower newsletter for the
Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission
and the Oregon Strawberry Commission
Rules To Target Illegal
Immigrants Worry Employers
The Bush administration on December 4th, raised its effort to crack down on
employers who hire illegal immigrants, part of a broader attempt to deal with
immigration and enforcement despite legal challenges and congressional
inaction. The Department of Homeland Security told the U.S. 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals that it planned to appeal a decision by a federal judge in San
Francisco that temporarily blocked efforts to target workers with inconsistent
Social Security data. It was the latest step in a court battle over a proposed
Homeland Security rule that would force firms to fire workers within 90 days if
their Social Security information could not be verified.
- INSIDE Sweeter. Redder. Simply BetterGet This Brochure Today! ............ 3
ORBC PAGES
ORBC Hires Two Firms for Marketing Outreach .............................. 4
ORBC Promotion Update .............. 4
ORBC Research Programs are
Expanding to Include Technology
Development and Variety Protection Issues .................................. 5
Immigrant advocates denounce the fallout of increased immigration raids and
their effect on children, while labor activists say the farm labor changes could
Report on the Caneberry Industry .. 7
hurt U.S. workers. Business and labor groups oppose the no-match program
because of its potential effect on workers and businesses. “For agriculture, it’s
the worst of all worlds,” said Craig J. Regelbrugge of the American Nursery & Annual Berry Growers Meeting ...... 7
Landscape Assn. “Agriculture fears that the majority of workers are unauthoCommissioner List ...................... 8
rized.”
The Social Security Administration will not be sending out no-match letters to
employers this year because of the lawsuit challenging the Homeland Security
Department’s worksite enforcement regulations. The decision not to send out the
letters based on 2006 tax year data means SSA is not likely to send out any letters
until at least spring of 2008, SSA spokesman Mark Hinkle said. By not sending out
the letters and waiting until 2008, Hinkle said SSA will not have issued any employer no-match letters during 2007.
With Great Taste Comes
Great Power-Get This Brochure
Today! ....................................... 9
Committee List ........................ . . 9
OSC PAGES
2007 OR Strawberry Summit .... .10
A federal judge in California Oct. 10 granted a preliminary injunction barring SSA
from sending out the no-match letters because for the first time the letters were to Commissioner List ................... .11
include language threatening possible immigration law criminal and civil liability for
employers that failed to respond to the letters (196 DLR AA-1, 10/11/07 ). “BeCommittee List ........................ .11
cause of the lawsuit, we needed to revise letters and it became apparent it was
getting too late in the year to send them out,” Hinkle explained Nov. 13, adding that 4 Strawberries Being Evaluated .. .12
employers and SSA were already gearing up to focus on wage reporting for 2007.
2007 Census of Agriculture ....... .12
1
The lawsuit was triggered by the Bush administration’s Aug. 10 announcement that
Annual Berry Growers Meeting .. .12
SSA would be altering how it sends out no-match letters. According to the new
rule, SSA would include language in the letter explaining there was possible
liability under immigration laws. In addition, SSA planned to include a general
- Continued on Page 2 -
Rules To Target Illegal Immigrants Worry Employers
- Continued From Page 1 -
Berry News
letter from DHS explaining the liability as well as
describing a “safe harbor provision” meant to protect
employers who attempted to comply with the letter
(155 DLR AA-1, 8/13/07 ).
Although DHS was not going to have access to the
names of employers sent the no-match letters, the new
rule would treat the receipt of the letter as evidence
that the employer had “constructive knowledge” that
an immigration violation was taking place. The final
rule was challenged in the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of California by a coalition of immigrant rights, organized labor, and civil liberties groups
led by the AFL-CIO, the American Civil Liberties
Union, and the National Immigration Law Center. The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business
groups later joined the litigation.
SSA had planned to send out no-match letters containing warnings from DHS regarding immigration law
liability beginning Sept. 4, even before the final rule
was to be implemented. That plan was derailed,
however, when Judge Maxine Chesney of the Northern District of California Aug. 31 issued a temporary
restraining order preventing the letters from being sent
(171 DLR A-2, 9/5/07 ). After the delay prompted by
Chesney’s order and then Judge Charles Breyer’s Oct.
10 grant of a preliminary injunction, Hinkle said that
SSA believed it was running out of time to rewrite the
notice and expect employers to correct wage data.
Each year, the SSA sends letters to some 138,000
employers pointing out discrepancies between data sent
to SSA by employers and the information already available in the SSA database. Hinkle said the letters involve
as many as 9 million employees each year who may have
provided incorrect Social Security data. SSA has sent out
the letters since 1994.
The letters are usually sent out in “batches” starting in
March or April, Hinkle said, and employers are asked to
correct data. Anticipating the final rule from DHS, he
said SSA last spring sent out no employer letters based on
the 2006 tax year but that some workers did receive
personal notices as part of SSA’s efforts.
2
SSA uses the no-match letters as a way of informing
employers that there is a problem with the W-2 information provided to SSA. Those problems can be due to
Fall 2007
- Continued on Page 3 -
Four Decades of Quality & Service
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AGRICULTURE: Berry Trays, Fruit & Vegetable
Boxes, & Agricultural Containers
2190 Greentree Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Phone: 503-744-9112
www.thunderbirdplastics.com
Berry Commissions News
is published by
Pacific Northwest Administration, Inc.
4845 B SW Dresden Ave., Corvallis, OR 97333
Phone: 541-758-4043
Fax: 541-758-4553
ORBC E-mail: [email protected]
OSC E-Mail: [email protected]
~ Newsletter Ads ~
The Berry Commissions News accepts
advertisements and inserts on a first come,
first served basis. Space is limited. Ad size
is a maximum of 1/4 page and inserts are
generally limited to one 8 x 11 inch sheet.
Ad space in the newsletter is currently free
of charge. Printing costs do apply for
inserts and must be paid by the advertiser
in advance. All ads and inserts must be
relevant to the berry industry and are
subject to approval. Inserts must be
prepared and ready for printing by the
advertiser.
Rules To Target Illegal Immigrants
Worry Employers
- Continued From Page 2 -
the wrong name being put on the form, an error in reporting
the Social Security number, or other errors that can occur on
the employer’s part.
In arguments to the federal court on whether a preliminary
injunction should be granted, SSA joined with DHS in arguing
that SSA would be harmed if they were unable to send out
no-match letters for this tax year because it would mean that
there would be a large batch of information that would not be
corrected. In addition, SSA argued to the federal court that
pushing back the date it could send the no-match letters would
conflict with SSA’s busiest time period—the season from
January to March when W-2 forms are sent out—and
therefore burden the agency. In its brief to the court, the
Breyer, however, was unconvinced and pointed out
that the injunction did not bar SSA from sending out
its letters and instead barred it from including the
DHS liability language.
“The plaintiffs have not requested a preliminary
injunction precluding SSA from sending out its
traditional no-match letters for tax purposes, as the
agency has for over a decade,” Breyer said, adding
“SSA has acknowledged that it could remove the
DHS insert and related language from its mailing in
30 days.”
Read the Proposed Dept. of Homeland Security
Rules in the Federal Register at:
http://tinyurl.com/ypyyeb.
Berry News
Until this year, SSA has said that the no-match letters were
designed to correct information and not meant to serve as an
worksite immigration enforcement tool. SSA has opposed
permitting DHS to have access to the names of employers
who receive the letters because it says the letters are designed to correct data, not create liability.
government argued the failure to send out the nomatch letters would “frustrate the purpose of
providing notice to employers that their employees’
Social Security earnings are not being credited to
their accounts.”
Sweeter. Redder.
Simply Better – Get This
Brochure Today!
The Oregon Strawberry Commission’s (OSC) growers and
processors looking for ways to let customers know about the
outstanding benefits of Oregon berries have a great tool at their
disposal. The OSC promotional brochure entitled “Sweeter.
Redder. Simply Better”, is not only an elegant eye catcher, but
contains references to the health benefits as well. This marketing
tool is available absolutely free. The brochure is a three fold, full
color presentation that is designed to let people know why
Oregon strawberries are best when taste matters. The brochure is
written in clear and to the point language,
which is easy for customers to understand.
This brochure will help you, the grower, or
the processor, answer the questions that your
customers have on berries and health and will
allow you to offer them an information packed
handout to take home. The OSC continues to
make these brochures available to all Oregon
strawberry growers and processors free yearround. This stunning brochure will definitely
fly off the self at your fruit stand or be the
keystone of your company’s presentation
portfolio. As mentioned above, the brochures
are offered free of charge and you may order
as many as you will need by contacting the
OSC offices at 541-758-4043.
REPRESENTING
local and regional packaging manufacturers that specialize in
their packaging products and services.
IDENTIFYING
the correct type of packaging and the supplier source to
support your packaging materials are the two most important
decisions for reducing your overall packaging costs.
PROVIDING
over 35 years of combined packaging experience. Our diversified supplier base provides us with many different types of
material and manufacturing processes. Access to these
resources will provide you with the correct type of packaging
while ultimately achieving the lowest cost solution.
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide customers with new or improved protective packaging options with a mutual goal to reduce overall costs while
maintaining or enhancing your quality and delivery logistics.
CONTACT
Terry Youngs
Cell: 503-799-8157
Email: [email protected]
3
Fall 2007
R aspberry & Blackberry News
ORBC Hires Two Firms for
Marketing Outreach
In July, the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission (ORBC) completed it’s first of two 2007 promotion RFP’s by contracting with Food First Marketing
(FFM) to cover several ongoing promotion programs
including magazine and newspaper media relations.
FFM is led by Cat McKenzie, who worked with Berry
Works, Inc. and the ORBC for seven years prior to
opening her firm. Cat’s knowledge and expertise in the
nutraceutical and nutritional aspects of caneberries has
been invaluable when communicating the health
benefits of Oregon’s berries to both industry and
consumers. As the commission’s Marketing Coordinator, she helps oversee promotion and education outreach and is the go-to person for media inquiries.
In November the ORBC hired a second marketing firm
to provide additional marketing and educational outreach for the commission. The promotion committee
wanted to maximize the marketing opportunities for
Oregon berries through proposals that included new
work elements designed to brand the Oregon blackberry, and its premium variety the Marionberry, as
health icons known for their superior nutraceutical
value. The ORBC indicated to all applicants that they
were interested in getting to work right away to increase
promotion activity and was interested in proposals that
reflected that time is of the essence. The ability of a
company to leverage ORBC funds by utilizing current
contacts was also stressed, so that ORBC promotion
dollars would be increased.
The RFP resulted in eleven exceptional applicants. The
promotion committee’s selection group chose five for final
interviews after an initial screening. The selection committee spent a full day interviewing the finalists and after
much deliberation of each company’s proposals and
presentations, a final vote was taken and the committee
selected a Portland Firm, Livengood/Nowack to work on
this project. Livengood/Nowack is a Portland based full
service marketing communications company specializing in
branding, strategic planning, media management, and
creative campaign development.
4
Livengood/Nowack will work in conjunction with the
Promotion Committee and Cat McKenzie to create a
new image for Oregon berries aimed at getting national
media attention and increasing berry sales.
Fall 2007
ORBC Promotion Update
- by Cat McKenzie, Food First Marketing -
ORBC Media Relations Trip to Birmingham Alabama
Cat McKenzie visited Birmingham, Alabama the home of the
Southeastern section of Time Inc. and Hoffman Media, Inc. It
was a very successful visit with a number of desk side visits,
lunches with editors, and a presentation to a gathered group of 27
editors and writers. Editors visited were shown a presentation
that highlighted the Oregon berry story, including information on
the growing conditions found in Oregon that create a favorable
“terrior” for our berries. Each Oregon berry was highlighted
with recent scientific studies on health benefits for berries
discussed. Usage of Oregon berries in recipes was shown, with
information on defrosting frozen berries given. Editors were
enthusiastic in their response to the presentation and asked
numerous follow up questions. Several editors came up after the
presentation to talk with McKenzie and indicated interest in
follow up information on Oregon berries. Each editor was given
a Berry Health Benefits packet, a Marionberry packet, The
Power of Purple card, an Extended Summer brochure, and a
print out of the presentation. In addition, they received samples
of Nutri-Fruit from Scenic Fruit Company, Marionberry preserves and Raspberry Chipolte BBQ Sauce from Columbia
Empire Farms, and a package of dried red raspberries or dried
blackberries from Hazelnut Hill Farms.
As a result of the visit, editors have called Columbia Empire
Farms for information, contacted the ORBC marketing office
regarding having a speaker or cooking demonstration at the
Alabama Dietetics Association annual meeting and indicated
willingness to come to the Oregon Berry Camp in July.
Visits to magazine editors help spread the word on Oregon
berries by giving editors the tools they need to create stories that
will appeal to consumers and tell them about the health benefits,
great taste, and versatility of our berries. Since magazines
typically work 6-8 months out on articles, we can expect to see
articles from the visit this summer. A visit to an editor by the
ORBC helps them to remember when they want to write an
article on berries that they should contact us for information and
help.
ORBC Attends Natural Products Expo East
The Natural Product Expo East was held September 26th
through the 29th, 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland. McKenzie
attended the Expo and walked the show floor for the ORBC.
The 1,793 booths offered an extensive overview of the latest
trends and new products available in the natural products sector.
- Continued on Page 5 -
- by Tom Peerbolt, ORBC Research Coordinator, Peerbolt
Crop Management -
We’ve been developing new directions within the research
program in response to the evolving caneberry industry needs.
Changes are taking place on many fronts and there’s a greater
need than ever for Oregon raspberry and blackberry growers
and processors to find new ways to share information, understand our place within a global industry and respond appropriately
to the challenges facing us. To help support our industry and put
assessment moneys to good use, we’re presently pursuing two
major new directions in addition to the ongoing funding of
production research projects by our public small fruit research
scientists.
ORBC Promotion Update
- Continued From Page 4 -
The show’s floors were divided into areas that represented the major product categories; such as, skin and
body care, supplements, drinks, pet care products,
children’s products, clothing, women’s products, body
building products, and many others. Food products;
such as, frozen products, shelf stable products, refrigerated products, and dried food products were located
together as well.
One of the largest groups of booths at the Expo, and
perhaps the fastest growing sector of the natural
products industry, would have to be fruit blended
drinks. Drinks containing exotic fruits from South
America and the Himalayas; such as acai, sea buckthorn, guarana, mangosteen, noni berries, and goji
berries dominated this category. Each of these exotic
fruits and berries are in demand, because of their high
antioxidant levels and claims of health giving properties
ranging from heart health to anti-aging. Blueberry
These two new directions are:
1) Caneberry variety development and protection: We’re working juice and pomegranate juice are commonly mixed with
with the USDA/OSU caneberry breeding program in Corvallis to the more exotic juices to add flavor and boost the
antioxidant claims.
both be able to give industry input on variety development and
release as well as institute legal plant protection tools to better be
Beverages with a healthy twist are not limited to juice
able to manage the distribution of varieties that are released.
blended beverages. Herbal and black teas with added
fruit juice; as well as, bottled waters with added
The next step in this process is to organize an industry variety
nutrients and fruit flavors were well represented by
development working group to act as an advisory group to the
many brands at the Expo. Electrolyte replacement
breeding program and the commission on variety development
drinks, comparable to Gatorade, were also numerous
and release.
and linked with body building supplements manufactur2) Innovation and Technology Research: This involves a) Coordi- ers to reach a growing niche of consumers. Full
strength juice products were not often found at the
nating grower and industry resources here in Oregon and the
northwest. The annual February grower workshop is one step in Natural Products Expo, by far the largest category of
this process. b) Participating with a national specialty crop group drinks were teas blended with filtered water and some
fruit juices.
called the Specialty Crop Research Team (SCRT) to enhance
technology transfer from other fruit industries. c) Supporting
Several conversations with juice, tea, and water
efforts by Oregon State University and other public research
company representatives regarding the high antioxidant
organizations to develop better engineering research capacities.
levels of Oregon berries, including black raspberry, red
raspberry, blackberry, and Marionberry led to interest
Both of these initiatives will need industry involvement and
support to succeed. If you’re interested in staying informed and/ in finding out more about the Oregon berries.
or getting more involved in the ORBC’s Research Committee’s
efforts to follow up on these issues, please contact Tom Peerbolt, Liquid vitamin and antioxidant supplements were also a
hot new trend at the Expo. These products contained
at #503-289-7287 or [email protected].
some berry purees or extracts to help with taste and
increase the antioxidant potential of the tonic. Baby
ORBC Research Committee Members
boomers, children, and the elderly all fall into the
Wayne Bochsler, grower, Commissioner and Chair
category of consumers who feel that swallowing pills
Jerry Stratton, grower, Commissioner
to get their supplements is unpleasant and uncomfortWillard Kreder, grower, Commissioner
able. This new type of supplement is sure to be on the
Rufus LaLone, Smuckers, Industry volunteer
rise and may even merge with the drink sector of the
Jeff Flake, OVS, Industry volunteer
Tom Peerbolt, Research Coordinator
- Continued on Page 6 -
Raspberry & Blackberry News
ORBC Research Programs are
Expanding to Include
Technology Development and
Variety Protection Issues
5
Fall 2007
ORBC Promotion Update
Raspberry & Blackberry News
- Continued From Page 5 -
natural product industry to provide vitamin and mineral
packed drinks that also quench thirst. There seems to be
room to approach this sector with berry additives that
could boost the punch of these formulations. One note
however, is that all of these industries would require
organic or sustainable fruit for their use.
In the area of frozen desserts, non-dairy treats were on
the rise with a local Eugene company, So Delicious, a big
new entry into this field. They produce a frozen dessert
that is lactose free and cholesterol free, with 35% fewer
calories and half the fat of premium ice cream, while
missing none of the flavor components. This product is
produced in quarts, sandwiches, and bars. Also included
is a sugar free version of So Delicious bars. Only two
flavors, Creamy Raspberry and Strawberry, contain
berries and they are interested in finding more about
using high antioxidant blackberries, Marionberries, and
black raspberries in their products.
Julie’s Ice Cream, another northwest based ice cream
company, Julie’s produces both the Julie’s line and their
Alden’s brand. They also make Denali’s, Oregon Dutch
Girl, and Northwest Creamery brands. They currently
have a blackberry flavor, but might be open to other
flavor combinations.
Gluten free food continued to be a large component of
the natural foods market. Many bakeries and producers
of gluten free baked goods, waffles, pancakes, and other
foods, could utilize Oregon berries in their formulations.
This ingredient addition would provide the antioxidant
boost, which is the marketing strategy that gets the
highest attention from buyers and consumers. One
company that is perhaps the biggest player in the glutenfree market is Milwaukee, Oregon based, Bob’s Red
Mill. They produce an extensive line of non-gluten flours
and prepared baking mixes for this market. Dried
Oregon caneberries would be a good addition to their
muffin mixes or pancake and waffle mixes.
6
Fall 2007
Energy Bars have become a staple of most American
households and the Natural Products Expo introduced
several new bars to this market. Foremost among these
was the debut of Weil Pure Fruit and Nut Bars by
Nature’s Path Foods. These bars, endorsed by Health
guru Dr. Andrew Weil, featured innovative flavor
combinations and did have one bar using raspberries –
Chia Razz using chia seeds and red raspberries. Energy
bars and snack bars for children continue to be one of
the faster growing sectors of the natural product industry.
“Kind Fruit and Nut Bars” by Peaceworks was another
award winning bar that seemed to be ready for berries.
Ultra Energy bars, a product aimed at diabetics, featured a
strawberry flavor, but no caneberry. The snack bar and
energy bar market is one that utilizes fruits and nuts and is
looking for high antioxidant ingredients.
The Expo provided a listing of all exhibitors with contact
information, and it is divided into categories, as well as,
alphabetically. If you are interested in using the book for
building a mailing list or marketing outreach call Cat
McKenzie at #541-456-2264.
Oregon Berries Shine in Newspaper Promotions
The outreach to newspapers across the US includes creating, testing, and photographing three new recipes that feature
raspberries and blackberries. These recipes and photos are
then distributed to newspapers across the United States,
along with a press release and background information on
Oregon berries. This year the new recipes created were:
Red Raspberry Cream Puffs, Peanut Butter and
Marionberry Jam Cupcakes and Sweet Potato Pound Cake
with Buttermilk Ice Cream and Blackberry Bourbon Sauce.
Each recipe will be tied to a seasonal release with Red
Raspberry Cream Puffs going out as a Valentine’s Day
feature, Peanut Butter and Marionberry Jam Cupcakes
distributed as a summer feature and Sweet Potato Pound
Cake with Buttermilk Ice Cream and Blackberry Bourbon
Sauce featured for the Fall.
After the recipes were developed, they were tested several
times for accuracy and written in a form that readers could
use. Press releases were developed for each recipe and
background folders created to offer as sidebar information
for newspapers. The ORBC has contracted with a wire
service to distribute these recipes and other ORBC press
releases to newspapers across the United States.
This fall a press release was sent out by our wire service on
the importance of blackberries and their ranking as the
number one antioxidant food per serving in a recent research
study. “Can a Berry a Day Keep Cancer Away?” featured
information on the antioxidant values of blackberries and
their use in one study, which showed they are very effective
cancer fighters. This article is now being distributed and will
soon be issued in a Spanish language version for inclusion in
Spanish language newspapers. In a new promotion outreach, the story will also be recreated as a radio spot that will
then be distributed to radio stations across the country by the
same wire service.
Oregon Ag in the Schools Textbook Features Oregon
Caneberries
This summer, Tami Kerr of Oregon Ag in the classroom,
approached the ORBC about creating a chapter on the
Oregon Caneberry Industry for inclusion in their textbook
“Get Oregonized” This book is used in 4th grade classes all
- Continued on Page 7 -
Report on the Caneberry
Industry
ORBC Promotion Update
- Continued From Page 6 -
The preliminary 2007 raspberry and blackberry production
reports are in and every Oregon caneberry grower should
review the numbers and stay abreast of industry developments.
I hope that the following information will help you in considering
the idea of developing a plan that will give you the best opportunities for your product in future years. I know there is widespread disappointment in the depressed field pricing this year,
however supply and demand are out of balance.
Total production was up from 50.5 million lb in 2006 to 66.9
million lb in 2007. That is a 16.4 million lb increase! This is our
largest crop in recent history with 60.3 million lb in 2002 being
the next largest that I could find. This number came from the
assessment reports from the Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry
Commission. Reviewing the 2007 blackberry plant sales reports
from Pat Moore at WSU, there was a 50% decrease in Oregon
plantings. However, there was a 376% increase in Washington
and 171 % increase in BC for a total of 6.2 % increase in
overall industry plantings.
across Oregon to acquaint school children with the
important role that agriculture plays in the lives of all
Oregonians.
Cat McKenzie worked with Tami and was able to
write a chapter that included information on growing
practices, harvesting and processing of Oregon
caneberries. The history of caneberry farming in
Oregon was also included and information was provided on berries and human health. A selection of
images from the ORBC photo library was included to
show harvesting, processing, and growing techniques.
Partnering with organizations such as Ag in the
Classroom, enables the ORBC to reach out to Oregonians of all ages. The importance of educating the
consumers of tomorrow on the benefits of eating
berries and especially Oregon berries can not be
underestimated in the long term, since the 4th graders
of 2007 are the consumers of tomorrow.
Without current industry information you cannot develop a plan
that will ensure you make educated decisions and take advantage of current opportunities. Also, I would recommend that you
contract with your processor so your fruit has a buyer. Without
any written agreement there is a pretty good chance that your
crop may not have a home. I would recommend that, before
planting new fields, you have a written agreement that ensures
you are able to sell your fruit from the field.
Raspberry & Blackberry News
- by Dave Dunn, ORBC Chair -
Having said all that, there are many people working to grow the
caneberry industry with hope for a bright future. I encourage
you to review the information provided by the ORBC and
become involved. By working together we can all achieve our
objectives of a prosperous industry.
41 River Road Whately, Massachusetts
ORBC Annual Berry Growers
Meeting to be Held at Wellspring Medical Center
The Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission’s
(ORBC) Annual Berry Growers Meeting will take place
at the Woodlands Conference and Event Center at
Wellspring Medical Center in Woodburn on Wednesday,
December 12, 2007.
Phone: 413-665-2658
www.NourseFarms.com
Nate Nourse, Sales Director
[email protected]
STRAWBERRIES RASPBERRIES
BLUEBERRIES
BLACKBERRIES
ASPARAGUS
RHUBARB
Now packing and shipping direct from Pasco, WA
7
Fall 2007
Raspberry & Blackberry News
2007-2008
Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission
Commissioner List
Chairman – Dave Dunn
Vice-chairman – Wayne Bochsler
Position
P1
VACANT—If you are interested in being a commissioner, please contact our office today.
P3
Jerry Stratton
37661 SE Bear Creek Road
Boring, OR 97009
503-668-9674
First Term Expires
6/30/07
P4
Leonard Heidt
16563 Otter Lane NE
Mt. Angel, OR 97362
503-951-0257
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/07
P5
Wayne Bochsler
13705 Monitor Mckee Rd NE
Mt. Angel, OR 97362
503-634-2126
[email protected]
First Term
Expires
6/30/07
P6
Don Sturm
PO Box 245
Corbett, OR 97019
503-695-2743
[email protected]
Partial Term
Expires
6/30/08
P7
Willard Kreder
PO Box 732
Jefferson, OR 97352
541-327-0106
First Term Expires
6/30/08
H1
Dave Dunn
Willamette Valley Fruit Co.
2994 82nd Ave NE
Salem, OR 97305
503-362-8678
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/08
H2
Gery Amos
RainSweet
740 Bassett St NW
Salem, OR 97304
503-363-4293 ext20
[email protected]
Partial Term
Expires
6/30/07
PM
Phil Lavine – Public Member
Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem, OR 97309-7070
503-399-5089
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/09
Positions
P = Producer
PM = Public Member
H = Handler
8
Fall 2007
The Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission (ORBC)
growers and processors looking
for a new means of letting
customers know about the
outstanding health benefits of Oregon berries have a great
tool at their disposal this season. The newest ORBC promotional brochure entitled “With Great Taste Comes Great
Power”, is not only an elegant eye catcher, but contains the
most up to date health benefit berry information available.
The best news is that this fantastic marketing tool is available
absolutely free.
The brochure is a three fold, full color presentation that is
designed to let people know that Oregon berries are among
the highest foods in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and a host
of other nutrients. The brochure is written in clear and to the
point language, which is easy for customers to understand.
black raspberry, Marionberry, Boysenberry, Loganberry, and blackberry. The nutritional impact that
eating these berries can have on health, such as
helping the body fight against cancer, heart disease,
mental aging and inflammation, is clearly outlined.
A basic guide to the terms used in speaking about
berries and health is included in the brochure.
Tongue twisting terms such as ellagic acid, anthocyanins and antioxidants are defined in a section
called “How to increase your vocabulary in just one
bite…”
Consumers have shown that health is one of their
number one concerns regarding food purchases.
This brochure will help you, the grower, or the
processor, answer the questions that your customers
have on berries and health and will allow you to offer
them an information packed handout to take home.
The ORBC is making these brochures available to all
Oregon berry growers and processors upon their
request. This stunning brochure will definitely fly off
the self at your fruit stand or be the keystone of your
company’s presentation portfolio.
The brochures are offered free of charge and you
may order as many as you will need by contacting
the ORBC offices at 541-758-4043.
The central section of the brochure features a breakdown of
the health benefits of six individual berries – red raspberry,
Raspberry & Blackberry News
With Great
Taste Comes
Great Power –
Get This
Brochure Today!
2007-2008 Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission Committee List
BUDGET
Dave Dunn, Chair
Leonard Heidt
Wayne Bochsler
Willard Kreder
LEGISLATIVE/LABOR/EDUCATION
Willard Kreder, Chair
Phil LaVine
Don Sturm
PROMOTION
Phil LaVine, Chair
Jerry Stratton
Dave Dunn
Leonard Heidt
Gery Amos
Don Sturm
RESEARCH
Wayne Bochsler, Chair
Jerry Stratton
Willard Kreder
Tom Peerbolt – Research Coord./ex officio
Rufus LaLone – ex officio
Jeff Flake – ex officio
OREGON BLACKBERRY NAME RECOGNITION
Dave Dunn, Chair
Wayne Bochsler
Phil LaVine
PROMOTION MATCHINGGRANT
Leonard Heidt, Chair
Phil LaVine
Wayne Bochsler
Willard Kreder
Mark Anderson - ex officio
9
Fall 2007
S trawberry News
2007 Oregon Strawberry
Summit
- by Laura Barton, ODA -
The 2007 Oregon Strawberry Summit – A step-by-step
review of what led to the Summit and the outcome.
In 2006, the Oregon Department of Agriculture met
with the Oregon Strawberry Commission to address
the decline of Oregon strawberry production and
acreage. It was decided to develop a forum to bring
together stakeholder representatives to network,
brainstorm, identify key issues and prioritize areas to
work on.
A forum agenda was developed. Organizational efforts
were divided between The Oregon Dept. of Agriculture and the Oregon Strawberry Commission, with the
Dept. developing buyer and trends/practices panels,
and inviting processors to attend, and the Strawberry
Commission organizing the non-panel presentations and
inviting growers. A central location, Clackamas Community College was procured and a date set.
With the Summit being a hosted day long event providing morning and afternoon break snacks and a box
lunch, attendees were encouraged to sign up to assure
receiving lunch. Several days before the Summit, Commission and ODA staff called 25 growers to try and increase
the number of growers attending.
The following presentations were intended to provide
insights into similar industries’ experiences in overcoming
their challenges, trends, practices and needs of fresh and
processed strawberry buyers:
•Oregon strawberry industry overview and history with a
brief overview of some key research including Breeding;
Machine Harvesting; Acreage, Production, Price History;
Some relevant Food Science.
•Wild blueberries, primarily used in the ingredients market,
have grown significantly in market value by being successfully promoted as a both premium quality berry and high in
antioxidants.
•North Carolina’s fresh market challenges and successes.
How another strawberry industry has overcome
challenges.
10
Fall 2007
•Panel Discussion: Discussion about what sparks consumers
today both from a retail, food service, and industrial perspective.
Areas discussed include fresh, frozen, the value of “local” and
traceability, types of packaging, seasonality, key attributes and
issues growers/packers need to address for optimum sales.
•Panel Discussion: What are the trends and practices that give,
or can give Oregon berries the advantage? Retailers, processors and fresh market growers provide an overview on growth
of fresh, local, interest in traceability, growth of convenience
packaging, nutraceutical interest, growing/handling practices,
market focus, varieties grown, growth & challenges, promoting
Oregon strawberries, what works and what could help sell
more.
Following the presentations, an hour was spent in three small
work groups, moderated by ODA staff and intentionally mixed
to represent growers, processors and guest speakers, to discuss
issues, and then suggest and prioritize possible strategies. The
groups then reconvened into one group for an additional half
hour to review small group outcomes and come to consensus on
top three areas to focus on:
1) Labor suggestions on how to work on: Bring together
growers, politicians, ODA, Dept. of Labor and the Governor’s
office to have discussions. The OR Labor Commissioner
attended and is willing to start the discussions. Coordinate with
other Oregon industries that have seasonal labor issues (such as
Christmas trees and Nursery), perhaps become a “test case” for
US agricultural worker programs.
2) Create a Consortium of interested growers, processors AND
interested users, such as retailers, food service operations,
ingredient users (such as Haagen Daz) to collaborate on projects
and issues. One project identified: Direct Store Delivery
program for fresh market Oregon strawberries.
3) Branding of Oregon Strawberries - Not getting hung up on
“OR industry is small and doesn’t have money”. Positioning the
Oregon strawberry in the marketplace to keep and increase
demand and high pricing. This branding could include the
Consortium partners.
A total of 70 people attended the Summit, with several of the
targeted growers and processors joined by a few media, OSU
researchers, ODA staff, Oregon Labor Commission staff and
guest speakers.
The next steps will be to convene to discuss how to structure the
three topic areas, and who to invite to the table. ODA and
Oregon Strawberry Commission have set up a meeting mid
November to discuss this.
2007 - 2008
Commissioner List
Position
P2
Michael Christensen
36483 Hwy 226 SE
Albany, OR 97322
541-928-8778
[email protected]
Second Term Expires
6/30/10
P3
Jerry May
11465 Webfoot Rd
Dayton, OR 97114
503-710-7310
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/10
P4
Matt Unger
503-992-0710
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/10
6540 SW Iowa Hill Road
Strawberry News
Chairman – Michael Christensen
Vice-Chairman – Jerry May
Secretary/Treasurer – Arne Goddik
Cornelius, Or 97113
P5
Arne Goddik
18265 SE Neck Road
Dayton, OR 97114
503-864-3882
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/08
H1
Randy Pavlinac
1440 Silverton Rd.
Woodburn, OR 97071
Jay Hansen
1330 Hidden Creek Dr. NE
Keizer, OR 97303
503-982-5962
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/08
503-663-3434
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/10
Elizabeth Howley
Clackamas Community College
Clairmont Hall 119
19600 S. Mollala Ave
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-657-6958 ext. 2389
[email protected]
First Term Expires
6/30/09
H2
PM
Positions
P = Producer
H = Handler
PM = Public Member
2007-2008 Oregon Strawberry Commission Committee List
BUDGET
RESEARCH
Michael Christensen, Chair
Matt Unger
Arne Goddik
Elizabeth Howley
Arne Goddik, Chair
Randy Pavlinac
Jerry May
Tom Peerbolt, Ex-Offico
LEGISLATIVE
EDUCATION/PROMOTION
Matt Unger, Chair
Michael Christensen
Arne Goddik
Jerry May
Michael Christensen, Co-Chair
Elizabeth Howley, Co-Chair
Matt Unger
11
Fall 2007
4 Strawberries Being Evaluated
- by Chrislyn A. Particka, Research Director, Sakuma Bros. -
Sakuma Bros. and Norcal Nursery have a long history of
supporting the breeding programs in the Pacific Northwest. As
a farm, processor and nursery, we understand the importance
of developing new varieties which benefit everyone in the small
fruits industry.
Therefore, Norcal Nursery included three advanced selections
from the USDA/Oregon State University strawberry breeding
program, as well as one newly-released variety from the
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Pacific Agri-Food Research
Centre breeding program, in our low-elevation nursery fields
this year. We anticipate having approximately 70,000 plants of
ORUS 1790-1, 41,000 plants of ORUS 1735-1, 44,000 plants of
2180-1, and 41,000 plants of ‘Stolo’ (BC 96-33-4). These
plants will be available for sale to Oregon growers this winter
and spring.
Please look for the
2007 Census of Agriculture
coming in the mail. Help make sure Oregon strawberries
are fairly represented. Good data are needed for decision
making and for informed lobbying of Salem and Washington
DC.
The Oregon Strawberry Commission’s (OSC) Annual Berry
Growers Meeting will take place at the North Willamette
Research & Extension Center in Aurora on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008.
Further information, as well as a draft agenda, will be mailed out
closer to the meeting date.
If you have any question or need any further information, please
call the OSC office at #541-758-4043, or email: [email protected].
[email protected]
Pacific Northwest Administration
4845 B SW Dresden Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97333
Berry Commissions News
Bruce Eklund #503- 326-2131
OSC Annual Berry Growers
Meeting to be Held at North
Willamette Research &
Extension Center