Tell your House Representative to protect Oregon's Vibrant Specialty Seed Industry!

The Willamette Valley is one of the last remaining regions in the world suitable for large-scale vegetable specialty seed production, including the majority of the world's brassica seed supply. Over 90% of some brassica seed varieties, like cabbage, are grown in the Willamette Valley.

A few politically connected farmers are pushing to grow rapeseed/canola in the Willamette protected zone. But we should not open Pandora's Box: once cross-contamination and pest spread happens, it cannot be reversed. The risk to our seed industry is just too great to gamble with. Once contamination happens, our seed cannot be sold on the global market, and we lose precious seed varieties that have been cultivated for generations to ensure food security.

We need your help to tell legislators that we need to make the Protected District permanent and thus ensure that this vibrant part of our farm economy remains strong for generations to come!

This form will automatically send a message to your House Representative to let them know this is important to you. It is essential that they know why you care, so please personalize this message if you have a story to share!

? Take future action with a single click.
Log in or Sign up for FastAction

Contact Information

First Name Last Name

Street Address

Postal Code City State

Email Home Phone (Optional)

Remember me so that I can use FastAction next time.

(Optional)

Additional Information

Are you a Farmer or Rancher

Yes

, please support SB789

Dear ,

Personalize your message

My name is {{FirstName}} {{LastName}} and I live in {{City}}. I’m writing to you to urge you to support SB789. Without the passing of SB789, the door could open to thousands of acres of unregulated canola production, which would likely destroy the unique attributes of the Willamette Valley’s specialty seed production ability and the industry built up around it.

The main reasons to support SB789 are:

1) Cross contamination is the biggest risk and cannot be reversed if the protected district is allowed to expire, 
2) We can learn from other seed growing regions around the globe who have failed to limit canola and lost their ability to grow seeds (see written testimony), and 
3) It is irresponsible to jeopardize a very lucrative industry which provides a pathway to viability for small acreage farmers for a low value oil seed/feed crop that has many alternatives.

We are at a pivot point with protecting the Willamette for this key industry, and for the biodiverse seed varieties that growers all over the world depend on. We must extend the protections indefinitely and protect what’s good. There is simply too much to lose.  Please support SB789.

Sincerely,

{{FirstName}}
{{StreetAddress}}
{{City}}, {{StateOrProvince}} {{ZipOrPostal}}

Sincerely, [Your information here]