Oregonians for Food & Shelter

06/26/2026

🌼🐝 Supporting Pollinators Across Oregon 🐝🌼

OFS has been a proud partner of the Oregon Bee Project since its inception, serving on the advisory committee and helping guide efforts to protect and support pollinators statewide.

✅ Since 2018, the Oregon Bee Project has trained 12,000+ licensed pesticide applicators on how to follow the Pollinating Insect Hazard Statement on labels to help reduce pesticide risks to bees. Over that period, 95% of trainees demonstrate strong comprehension of bee protection provisions, contributing to a downward trend in reported pesticide incidents. Whether they’re managing forests, farms, roadsides, or backyards, these trainings help pollinators thrive in working landscapes.

Check out the recently released Bees of Oregon 2025 report from Oregon State University and partners, offering one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the state’s pollinators and the challenges and opportunities in protecting them.

At OFS, we recognize that healthy pollinator populations are closely linked to sustainable land management. Our continued involvement reflects a commitment to collaboration, stewardship, and advancing practices that benefit both working lands and the species that depend on them. Together, we can help ensure that Oregon remains a thriving home for pollinators, and the people and ecosystems they support. 💛

👉 Learn more: https://www.oregonbeeproject.org/
📘 Explore the report: https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/technical_reports/cr56n948j?locale=en

06/25/2026

This decision preserves producers’ access to vital tools, reinforcing the agriculture and natural resource industries and helping secure a reliable supply of the food and fiber we depend on in our daily lives.

Today’s Supreme Court opinion is a major win for farmers across the country.

MAA Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson highlighted the importance of the opinion for growers who depend on clarity and a science-based regulatory process that affirms the safety of their essential crop protection tools.

See more here: https://modernagalliance.org/news-resources/modern-ag-alliance-supreme-court-crop-protection-tools/

06/24/2026

🌼🐝 Partnership in Action: Farmers, Ranchers & Apiarists 🐝🌼

Behind every thriving crop is a powerful partnership. Farmers and ranchers work hand-in-hand with apiarists to ensure fields are not only productive, but pollinated.

In the Pacific Northwest, over 30 crops rely on bees to do this essential work. In Oregon alone, pollinators support crops like apples, cherries, pears, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, carrot seed, onion seed, clover seed, meadowfoam, and pumpkins, just to name a few.

Apiarists carefully manage and protect their hives, while producers create safe environments for bees to forage and flourish. Together, they plan, communicate, and take extra steps to safeguard pollinators, because healthy bees mean healthy crops.

This collaboration helps sustain our food supply, supports biodiversity, and strengthens local agriculture. 🌱💛

Here’s to the hardworking apiarists and producers who make it all possible, one bloom at a time. 🌾🐝

06/22/2026

🌼 As we enter Pollinator Week 2026, we’re proud to highlight a leader in pollinator habitat: Hampton Lumber 🐝

Through its innovative “Trees & Bees” initiative, Hampton Lumber is transforming working forests into thriving habitat for native pollinators across Oregon. By enhancing post-harvest sites with native wildflowers, nesting opportunities, and thoughtful land management, they are helping bees and other pollinators flourish.

Launched as a pilot program in 2017, this effort is not only advancing research alongside partners like Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Forestry, but it’s also setting an example for the broader natural resource industry.

Hampton’s work demonstrates how sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, creating benefits that extend far beyond the forest. 🌱

Learn more about Hampton's program here: https://www.hamptonlumber.com/trees-bees/

06/19/2026

Wrapping up a busy week at the Capitol 🌱

OFS staff were proud to co-host the AG-PAC Educational Services Association Legislative Tour with 80+ attendees, including legislators, candidates, agency staff, and university partners.

From shade trees at Krueger Tree Farms 🌳, to grass seed research at McCarthy Research Farm 🌾, to berry production at Unger Farms 🍓, the day highlighted the diversity of Oregon agriculture.

We closed it out with a reception at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club 🍇
A great day of learning, connecting, and strengthening relationships across Oregon’s natural resource community.

Thank you to everyone who made it possible! 👏

06/19/2026

Update on IP 28 from Oregon Farm Bureau.

We’re back with another update on IP 28. Petitioners have submitted 131,000+ signatures – the minimum required is 117,173.

It’s important to remember that many signatures are often ruled invalid during the verification process, meaning supporters will need thousands more to ultimately qualify for the November 2026 ballot.

Again, meeting the minimum threshold does not automatically guarantee ballot qualification.

Oregon Farm Bureau continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as they become available. We know many of you are rightfully concerned about this potential ballot measure — and we are too.

Right now, the most important things you can do is join the opposition coalition on our website, educate your friends, family, and neighbors about this misguided and dangerous effort to eliminate animal agriculture in Oregon, and donate to Feed Oregon as we prepare to defend our farmers and ranchers.

Visit OregonFB.org/IP28 to learn more and to donate to Feed Oregon, OFB’s political action committee.

06/15/2026

OFS is proud to have ODFA as such an active member! With ODFA’s Executive Director serving as our immediate past president, you can be sure the livestock, especially the dairy, industry is well represented.

06/15/2026

* Member Monday *

Today we highlight Hampton Lumber, a family-owned forestry company dedicated to sustainable management, renewable products, and strong rural communities.

With operations across the Pacific Northwest, they’re not only delivering building materials around the world, they’re also supporting local communities, managing forests responsibly, and helping keep working lands working.

We’re proud to work alongside members like Hampton who represent Oregon’s natural resource industries.

Learn more about the OFS Board here: https://www.ofsonline.org/meet-the-team

Check out Hampton Lumber here: https://www.hamptonlumber.com/

06/13/2026

The Tillamook Working Lands & Waters Cooperative and the Clatsop Forestry & Wood Products Economic Development Committee, in partnership with Oregon State University Extension, held a Tillamook–Clatsop Leaders Tour earlier this month.

This two-day tour brought together community leaders, elected officials, and staff to explore “Water, Wildlife & Way of Life” across forestry, farming, and fisheries.

Participants were able to connect with boots on the ground, and learn about the opportunities, challenges, and economic impact these industries have on Oregon.

06/12/2026

At Oregonians for Food & Shelter, advocacy doesn’t stop when the legislative session ends.

Year-round, we’re engaging with agencies, submitting comments, hosting tours to educate decision-makers, and making sure the voices of Oregon’s producers are represented in the decisions that impact their operations.

Because whether you’re a farmer, rancher, forester, or land manager, you deserve the ability to operate on your ground.

Visit: https://www.ofsonline.org/ofs-comments to read some of the comments OFS has submitted recently.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to know more about when and what we submit comments on: https://www.ofsonline.org/