PHOTO COURTESY OF OSU
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on legislation that would bolster agricultural research opportunities near Hermiston.
Wyden introduced the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center Land Conveyance Act, S. 1437, last year with Sen. Jeff Merkley. Rep. Greg Walden has sponsored a similar bill in the House of Representatives. Wyden is a senior member and the former chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“We’re lucky to have Oregon State University as a hub of agriculture research and innovation to train the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and foresters,” Wyden said. “Hermiston, an important part of Oregon’s rural life, has been well-served by agriculture experimentation for over 100 years and the Oregon Congressional delegation wants to make sure it can do it for the next 100 years.”
The bill would give Oregon State University the flexibility to move its Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center to a more rural area if the community grows to a point where such a move is necessary. The bill also specifies that the state use any proceeds from selling or leasing the land for agricultural research.
