SALEM, Ore. (RFD News) — Pear growers in Oregon are asking for help after another difficult season.
Oregon governor Tina Kotek requested federal disaster relief, but gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan told Aginfo.net that the state should be doing more.
“Let’s be honest about what we’re facing today: A letter to Washington is not enough. We cannot wait for Washington, D.C., to act on this issue. And the actions that they would take would not be enough to save our family farms today. Federal loans can take months, sometimes years, to arrive, and not every grower will qualify. We have the tools available today at a state level, and we should be using all of them. These growers need help now.”
Last year’s pear season ended with as much as $45 million in losses because of pests, heat, and reduced irrigation.
