Farm wages up, more agricultural workers employed across US in 2022
Farmworker wages rose slightly and farm operators hired more people during the last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Farm Labor Report. There were 785,000 workers employed directly by farms and ranches during the report’s reference week in October, up 2% from the same week last year. Average gross wages in agriculture rose 7% in 2022, to $17.56 per hour. (Shannon Sollitt/Statesman Journal)
Drought blamed for ‘shocking’ fir tree mortality in Oregon
Years of drought are taking a toll on Oregon’s iconic fir trees. Daniel DePinte, aerial survey coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest region, estimated 1.1 million acres with dead or dying firs statewide — twice as many as any other year dating back to 1952 when the agency started keeping records. “What is shocking to us is the extent of it,” DePinte said. “In some areas, we had over 50% mortality.” (George Plaven/Capital Press)
After a bumpy 2022, Arcimoto hopes for smoother roads come 2023
Eugene-based electric vehicle company Arcimoto has had a topsy-turvy 2022. In February, a new, expansive production space was unveiled for Arcimoto’s Fun Utility Vehicles (FUVs.) Dignitaries and shareholders toured the 250,000-square-foot site, as new models, innovations and production goals were presented. Interim CEO Jesse Fittipaldi said that, like many other manufacturers, supply chain issues and Wall Street upheavals challenged the company. (Brian Bull/KLCC)
Washougal River system dam-removal project wins $2.57M in funding
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that it will award $2.57 million to the Washougal River system in an effort to help restore the Columbia River watershed’s salmon and steelhead populations. The Cowlitz Tribe and its partners, Columbia Land Trust and Parr Excellence, will use the federal funding to remove the tributary’s 55-foot-tall, 425-foot-long rock mound. In doing so, 6.5 miles of aquatic habitats will be recovered. (Lauren Ellenbecker/The Columbian)
Prices are up, but Northwest apple growers aren’t grinning
Northwest apples will be fewer, smaller and more expensive this year. Blame cold spring weather, a dry summer and an early cold snap, which didn’t leave a lot of growing room, making it a challenging growing season. Farmers also say they’re struggling under the inflation of everything. Washington state growers picked just a bit over 100 million, 40-pound boxes, this year, which is quite a fall from what they picked last year. (Anna King/Northwest News Network)
