U.S. potato stock up, Basin stocks unchanged

Master Gardener training to begin

By DD BIXBY

H&N Staff Writer

January 31, 2008

   Potato sheds in the 13 major potato productions states hold 5 percent more spuds, or 238 million hundred weight, in January 2008 than January 2007, according to a press release from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

   Fifty-nine percent of potatoes in storage are from the storage of 2007 fall production, which was up 1 percent. 

    Klamath Basin ’s potato stocks, which include storage sheds on both sides of the border, remain unchanged, and totaled 34 million hundred weight. 

    Oregon ’s stocks overall were 16 percent higher than in 2007. 

   The other 12 states included in this report were Idaho , Washington , California , Colorado , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , Montana , Nebraska , New York , North Dakota , and Wisconsin .

   Master Gardener training begins Feb. 27 

   Master Gardener training begins Feb. 27. The weekly Wednesday training sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The course will be completed May 7. 

   The county program, in its 15th year, emphasizes plant-based education, environmental stewardship, responsible home gardening a nd community food partnerships. 

   Space is limited, so the Klamath Basin Research Extension Center recommends completing applications before Feb. 15. 

   Recertification for current master gardeners is $35, plus a commitment of 20 hours of volunteer service. The cost for new trainees is $100, plus a commitment of 50 hours of volunteer service to “payback” for the costs of textbook, training session, handouts and OSU Master Gardener badge. People seeking just the certificate pay $250 to cover all costs, without committing to volunteer service. 

   In 2007, Klamath County Master Gardeners volunteered for more than 3,000 hours for a variety of community outreach programs and training. 

   For more information, call 883-7131. Applications are available at the office, 3328 Vandenberg Road , or can be downloaded from the Web site at www.extension.oregon state.edu/klamath/horticulture/index.htm.

Drive collecting baling twine in February 

   The Grange Co-op will act as a recycling center for old baling twine in February. 

   Farmers and ranchers can drop off large volumes of plastic twine for free. Sisal twine is not accepted. 

   At the end of the drive, the collected twine will be transported to Agri-Plas in Brooks , Ore. There the used plastics will be cleaned, ground up and then made into new plastic products such as nursery pots, pickup bed liners and new baling twine. 

   People wishing to recycle more than a truckload of twine should make arrangements in advance, by e-mailing info@RogueSMART.org. 

   The co-ops in Jackson Josephine and Klamath counties have partnered with the Rogue River High School Future Business Leaders of American and the Jackson County SMART (Saving Money and Resources Together) Business Program. 

   4-H agent resigns; interim agent sought 

   The process for hiring an interim 4-H agent is under way at the Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center . The interim agent will fill the position through August. 

   After the interim position is filled, a nationwide search for the permanent position will be conducted and is expected to be completed in August. 

   Current 4-H agent, Jessica Horsley DuBose, tendered her resignation at the beginning of January. She had administered the 4-H program for two and a half years and said Wednesday she was just ready for a change.

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