A FARMER'S AGENDA

Jim Gilbert for our State Representative

Jim Gilbert's Background

A successful farmer and nursery owner for over 28 years, Jim understands the challenges and opportunities faced by Oregon farmers. Jim has been introducing new crops to Oregon and adding value to existing ones. To learn more about Jim's Molalla- area nursery, go to www.onegreenworld.com .

Jim Gilbert's priorities as State Representative

1. LAND Nothing is more important to farmers than the soil in which they grow their crops.

Jim was a leader in the effort to fix Measure 37, the biggest threat to our farmland since land use planning was implemented in the early 1970's. In addition, as Chair of the Molalla Community Planning organization, Jim helped defeat a proposed gravel mine that would have destroyed 100 acres of prime farmland.

Jim is working with other Farm Bureau members to reform the land use laws that allow gravel to be dug on our best soils. Jim is also helping fight the proposed natural gas pipelines that will use Oregon as a conduit to supply gas to California while taking thousands of acres of prime farm and forest land out of production.

  As State Representative, Jim will continue to fight to make sure that Oregon's valuable and productive farmland is protected.

2. WATER   Many Oregon crops require adequate supplies of irrigation water.   Nurseries, row crop farms, fruit and berry orchards, and many others simply cannot survive without irrigation water.   

Jim will promote development of water storage projects, such as winter aquifer filling along the Columbia River.   Jim will also work to conserve existing water supplies by offering incentives to farmers for increasing the use of drip irrigation and other water-saving measures.

         Jim's work to fix Measure 37 was also important in preserving Oregon's ground water supplies. Uncontrolled development and the digging of 1000's of domestic wells would have quickly lowered water tables and threatened irrigated farming.

3. LABOR   Oregon's labor-intensive nursery contributes more than a billion dollars to Oregon's economy.   Other important and labor- intensive crops include fruit, vegetables, and berries.   Oregon agriculture simply cannot thrive without an adequate labor supply. While we need to secure our borders, it is vitally important to reform our immigration laws and to have an effective guest- worker program.   While immigration is a federal issue, Jim will advocate for these important changes and will work to see that Oregon laws do not unreasonably burden farmers and their employees.

4. RESEARCH & EDUCATION   Oregon agriculture, like other industries, needs educated employees to be successful.   Oregon nurseries and farms need research support from our University and Community College system.   We need a well-funded extension service to help farmers learn about new and more efficient growing techniques.   We also need research support to help us conserve energy and lessen our impact on the environment.

         Jim will fight for increased funding for agricultural research and to strengthen our extension service.   He will also work with Community Colleges and Universities to make agricultural careers more attractive to our youth.  

5. ENERGY The increased cost of energy and the impact of the use of fossil fuels present challenges and opportunities for Oregon farmers.   Jim supports the use of tax credits to encourage the construction of small hydro- power projects and the production and use of solar, wind, bio- diesel, and other alternative sources of energy.  

Jim does not just talk about alternative energy, he has demonstrated its practicality by using vegetable oil-based bio- diesel to power his tractors for over four years.

6. RIGHT TO FARM   Our Right to Farm Laws are essential to the success of Oregon's agriculture industry.   The pressure of development and expansion of Urban Growth Boundaries will continue to produce conflict between urban residents and farmers.   Dust, noise, and smells are part of farming.   Jim will work to make sure that homeowners are informed and prepared to accept these farming practices.

Jim knows that farmers must also have the right to responsibly use pest and weed controls. Jim will work to make sure that safe and controlled field burning continues to be allowed, while at the same time striving to find additional markets for the straw from grass seed fields.

 

JIM GILBERT FOR OREGON

28696 S. CRAMER RD., MOLALLA, OR   97038

503-651-2463   www.gilbertfororegon.com