News

Did you know any Oregon Braceros?

The Washington County Museum is developing an exhibit about the Braceros in Oregon (1942-1947). The Bracero Program began as a pact between Mexico and the US to bring in Mexican agricultural laborers to make up for the exodus of US laborers from US farms during World War II. This was the first time that large numbers of Mexican farmworkers came to Oregon, and marks an historical change in Oregon and the eventual establishment of a significant Latino community here.

The Washington County Museum wants to include as much local history as possible. If you know of a Century or Sesquicentennial Farm-or any farm-that employed braceros, please contact the museum. The museum is looking for photographs of the farms, the farmers, the braceros, and the government camps, as well as documents relating to the requisitioning of braceros, regulations about housing or working conditions, any memorabilia from the era, and so forth. Contact Ilene O’Malley at 503-645-5353, ext.133, or ilene@washingtoncountymuseum.org.

CF&R Spotlight – Balin Ranch

In this issue, the spotlight shines on the Balin Ranch, established in Klamath County in 1910 by Mary Balin. The Balin family came to Klamath Falls from Kansas in the early 1900s. Soon after the Klamath Bureau of Reclamation irrigation project was completed, Mary Balin was deeded more than 100 acres of farm land.The crops in those early days included hay, grain, and potatoes. The operation expanded throughout the years to include 800 acres on the original homestead and 1,000 acres of pasture land 45 miles away. Today, the farm is one of the largest producers of USDA certified organic grass-fed beef. The farm also produces hay for livestock and dairy, plus some commercial and organic potatoes.

Hal Balin nominated the ranch for the CF&R program but sadly passed away just before the 2012 award. The ranch is now operated by his son, Scott Balin, the third generation to run the ranch just south of Klamath Falls. And Scott is bringing the old ranch into the 21st century: he has a field with eight solar panels tracking the sun, providing about 100 kilowatts of energy to irrigation pumps.

“I feel like the Balin Ranch is a living memorial to the hard work our family has made in the past and with the same determination, hopefully it will survive another 100 years of producing food and fiber for our country,” said Hal Balin.

Leadership Updates

The Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program has amazing volunteers who ensure the success of our program. Oregon is so fortunate to have such passionate volunteers! Read on to learn more about the latest updates.Dave Dillon is the 2013 Chair and Larry Landis is the Vice Chair. Dave is the Executive VP for the Oregon Farm Bureau in Salem and works tirelessly to support agriculture in Oregon. Larry is the Director of the Special Collections & Archives Research Center for Oregon State University Libraries in Corvallis and a farmer. He is also leading the transfer of all the Century Farm & Ranch Program records to OSU and ensuring efficient access through an online data base, “Oregon Explorer.”

We are also saying goodbye to Don Schellenburg and Richard Engeman. Both Don and Richard have served tirelessly as volunteers on the program committee and helped the program transition to meet the needs in Oregon. “I am blessed to have been able to serve on the committee together with a great bunch of people through the years and am pleased with the strides and success that have occurred during my tenure,” said Don.

Richard says, “With a sense of reluctance and pride, I resign. This committee has been one of the most rewarding tasks I’ve undertaken in the past 10 years, working with collaborative, appreciative volunteers who do what they say, get a kick out of it, and share their delight!” Richard also led the efforts to produce our Eating It Up in Eden cookbook, produced in 2009 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program and as a tribute to Oregon’s 150th birthday.

2013 Century and Sequential Farm Applications
Due May 1, 2013

Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 award year of the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program, a statewide recognition program honoring farmers and ranchers who have worked the same land for at least 100 years. Applications are also available for the Sesquicentennial Award, introduced by the program in 2008, honoring families with farms or ranches continuously worked for 150 years or more. To date, 1,144 families have formally received the Century designation and 25 families have received the Sesquicentennial Award.

The Payne Family - 2012 Century Farm Award

Family farmers and ranchers throughout Oregon are encouraged to apply for the Century Award and/or the Sesquicentennial Award by the May 1, 2013, deadline. Successful applicants receive a personalized certificate with acknowledgment by the Governor and the Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. A durable metal road side sign to identify the family’s farm or ranch as having historic Century or Sesquicentennial status is also available. Each family will be honored during a special ceremony and reception at the Oregon State Fair, August 24, 2013, at 1:00 p.m.

To obtain application guidelines for either award, please visit our website or contact Sharon Leighty at 503-400-7884 or send us an email at cfr@oregonfb.org.

 Have you met Patricia and Brandon
our newest Committee Members?

Patricia Dawson and Brandon Spencer-Hartle both joined the leadership team in November.

Patricia works with the 4-H Youth Development program in Umatilla County that includes involving youth with the Century Farms & Ranches there. She developed the “A Look at the Past” program, which engages youth in oral and video histories of Century Farms and Ranches, and has made presentations at several state and national history conferences regarding engaging youth in history preservation efforts.

Brandon is the Field Services Manager for the Historic Preservation League of Oregon. Brandon serves on the CF&R Board because of his personal and professional interest in preserving Oregon’s historic buildings, including buildings in rural communities and barns. He resides in Portland but spends much of his time around the Willamette Valley

Fantastic Fix-It-and-Forget-It Stew

Try this wonderful, hearty stew from Paula B. Bangs, Bangs Family Farm, Lane County, 1903. Paula adds “Another good noonday dinner when you’re real busy.”

Fantastic Five-Hour Stew
2 pounds stew-type meat, chunked and trimmed of fat
3 large potatoes, peeled and cut up in chunks
1 medium onion, cut up in wedges
4 large carrots, peeled and chunked
1 pint green beans, drained
1 cup celery, sliced
¼ cup tapioca, sprinkled over all
Mix all together. Bake covered in a 250 F oven for 5 hours.

While the stew is cooking, check out the agriculture games at http://www.oregonfb.org/home.

This stew is another great recipe from our heritage cookbook, Eating It Up in Eden, which features recipes from Oregon Farm & Ranch families. Now that you have enjoyed a hearty dinner, you can order your cookbook for only $9.95. Order Here

Special Thanks for Our Sponsors

Did you know that the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program is run by volunteers and funded by the generosity of our donors and sponsors? The next time you see one of our sponsors or donors, tell them thanks for supporting us!

 We recently received a $1,000 donation from Wilco and a $3,500 grant from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. These donations will go a long way to help preserve and recognize Oregon’s agricultural history.

Need to Order a Replacement Road Sign?

Does your Century Farm & Ranch Program sign need a little fixing up? Replacement signs are available. Click here for the order form.

You can Help Preserve Oregon’s Agriculture Heritage for Present and Future Generations

• Encourage family and neighbors to complete a Century application or a Sesquicentennial application
• Become a storyteller for Oregon farm and ranch families
• Document your family’s agricultural history
• Make a donation to the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program 
• Sign up up for Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program e-news
• Consider ordering our cookbooks as gifts for Mother’s Day, weddings, and family celebrations

Sharon Leighty

Program Coordinator