May 27, 2010

Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Agriculture   Tracey Liskey, co-owner of Liskey Farms, was recently appointed to the Oregon State Board of Agriculture. The board will meet in Klamath Falls next week.

   On June 2, the board will hear from a local panel on agriculture in the Klamath Basin, made up of some of region’s well-known agriculture members. Tracey Liskey, co-owner of Liskey Farms, was appointed to the board a few weeks ago and arranged the panel members and an agriculture tour.  

   Agreement talk

   Panel members Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, and Glenn Barrett, owner of Barrett’s Livestock in Langell Valley, will talk about the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, Liskey said.

   Addington is expected to advocate for the KBRA while Barrett will talk about the potential negative aspects, Liskey said.

   The water agreement aims to resolve water conflicts in the Klamath River watershed.

   In addition, Hollie Cannon, executive director of the Klamath Water and Power Agency; Donnie Boyd, owner of Floyd A. Boyd in Merrill, and Doug Woodcock of the Oregon Water Resources Department, will discuss how this year’s drought has impacted the region.  

   “I think this is the board coming to Kla math to look at what is affecting us. The drought is affecting us and the KBRA is one way around it,” Liskey said. “It’s just what’s in front of us   this year.”

   Meeting in Klamath

   Bruce Pokarney, director of communications for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said the board decided to meet in Klamath Falls well before knowing there was a drought, but the water situation will undoubtedly be on the minds its members.

   “It’s kind of a coincidence that we’re happening to be down there at such a critical time,” Pokarney said. “I know the board is very anxious to hear what some of the impact is and see some of the impact.”  

   Unable to do much

   Pokarney said the board likely won’t be able to do much to alleviate the situation other than continuing to advocate for agriculture.

   He said he wouldn’t be surprised if the board passes a resolution supporting the area’s efforts to keep water for agriculture flowing.

   Liskey said as a new member to the board, he is looking forward to representing the agricultural interests of the Klamath Basin.

   “I think it’s important that we try to solve our problems. That’s what the board of ag is supposed to do is try to solve problems,” he said. “It’s a good place to start.”  

Side Bars

Visit planned   

   Oregon State Board of Agriculture members will meet next week in the Klamath Basin.

   In addition to conducting a regular business meeting, board members are scheduled to visit the Malin area, which is almost entirely idled this year because of the lack of water availability.

   In addition, board members will visit wells pumping groundwater near Stateline Road, a potato shed and the national wildlife refuges to see the impact of the drought. The group will end its tour at Liskey Farms’ geothermal complex.

The agenda   

   June 2 8:30 a.m.: Meeting begins