Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s newly-minted representatives in Washington have received their committee assignments.

Senator Jeff Merkley appears to have secured a seat on the Environmental and Public Works Committee.  And Oregon growers are practically dancing in the furrows at the news  that Congressman Kurt Schrader is on the House Committee on Agriculture. April Baer reports.

Pete Postlewait and his father run a nursery and farm vegetables just outside Aurora.

The Postelwaits’ place is a microcosm of Oregon’s farm diversity. They grow nursery plants, some organic vegetables, and a little grass seed. We’re fighting a strong wind in the Postlewait  rhubarb patch.

April Baer: “What’s this time of year like for you?”

Pete Postlewait:  “Wonderful! There’s not a lot to do (laughs)”

This is the time of year most farmers can step back, take stock, and start to think about the new year.

Pete Postlewait: “Just kind of, we fix the stuff that needs to be fixed, maybe upgrade some equipment.”

This winter, Pete Postlewait’s dreaming about what might happen with a strong Northwest voice on the House Ag Committee. Postlewait almost couldn’t believe it when he heard the news about Kurt Schrader’s appointment. He’s known Schrader for  twelve years.

Pete Postlewait: “Most people don’t realize where their food comes from, or how it’s made. And Kurt -- he does, if you see where Kurt lives, he’s surrounded by agriculture.”

Schrader and his wife actually farmed themselves for several years, growing strawberries and a few vegetable crops.

He'd long since given them up for his veterinary practice, and the state legislature.  Now that he’s been elected to Congress, farmers are hoping his fluency with agricultural issues will pay off.

Gail Greenman: “Oregon is not a one-commodity state, we have more than 220 recognized commodities growing throughout the state. Christmas tree growers, wine grape growers, berry growers, cattle ranchers, wheat growers.”

Gail Greenman is national affairs director for the Oregon Farm Bureau. She says it’s been years since the Pacific Northwest had representation on the Ag Committee.

Oregon’s  eclectic farmers have often lost out to the behemoth commodities growers from Midwestern and Plains states. Their massive corn and soy lobbies wield enormous influence over farm legislation.

She’s hoping that Schrader will be able to advocate on behalf of specialty crops, and also help craft changes in immigration and tax law.

As a state legislator, Schrader built a reputation as being pragmatic, and tight-fisted with state dollars. He’ll be in a different role now; instead of budget gatekeeper, he’ll be expected to advocate for Oregon, and help build the state’s agricultural brand.

But Allison Hensey, with the Oregon Environmental Council, thinks the new challenges fit with Schrader’s moderate stances.

Allison Hensey: “The most important change in food system policy right now can be led from the middle. And I think that’s something that Rep. Schrader can do proudly.”

She says the system needs stronger markets for sustainably grown foods, and incentives for farm-based green energy programs—the kinds of things that should please farmers and environmentalists  alike.

Some involved in environmental activism privately wish Schrader would take stronger stances on environmental protection, but most agree that Schrader’s arrival on the Ag Committee is a step forward.

Green activists are also happy to hear that Senator Jeff Merkley appears to have sealed an appointment to the Senate’s Environmental and Public Works Committee.

Jonathon Poisner: “I think Jeff Merkley will fit in very well in the U.S. Senate. He didn’t become House Speaker in Oregon by accident.”

Jonathon Poisner directs the Oregon League of Conservation Voters.

Jonathan Poisner   “He became House Speaker because he knows how to work a legislative chamber, build relationships, build coalitions.”

Poisner says he has no illusions. It’ll take a number of years for Merkley to build up clout. But he’s confident Merkley will be effective over the long term.

The freshmen reps aren’t the only ones in the Oregon delegation with heavy committee work ahead.

Congressman Peter Defazio is likely to have a key role in crafting a major transportation bill  -- he’s chair of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee.  

And Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s standing is growing stronger on the Ways and Means Committee. As the committee’s second ranking Democrat, he’ll be in a position to influence any tax law changes the Obama administration may want in 2009.