farming

Michelle Rhee: A "Radical" On Education Reform

PRODUCER — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:38:01 +0000

Michelle Rhee says our education system is failing. The founder and CEO of StudentsFirst and former chancellor of Washington, DC, public schools says she would rigorously evaluate teachers, end tenure and boost pay for high-performing teachers while firing the least effective. Her critics say her reliance on test scores and support for school vouchers would destroy the public education system. Michelle Rhee joins us for a conversation about students, standardized tests, teachers unions, charter schools and her new book, "Radical: Fighting to Put Students First."

Farm Bill Extension Leaves Out Many In Northwest

Anna King — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:45:10 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Many Northwest growers are left out of the partial extension of the U.S. Farm Bill included in this week’s fiscal cliff legislation. The new law largely covers conventional agriculture and not the organics, specialty crops and conservation programs that our region’s farmers are known for.

A popular USDA conservation program encourages some farmers to turn their crop ground back into bunch grass or native forbs.

Northwest Growers Expand Olive Tree Operations

editor — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:04:12 +0000

Groves of olive trees might bring to mind for you sun-soaked Mediterranean or Californian landscapes. But in the last 10 years, a few Northwest growers have significantly ramped-up their production of domestic olive oil. They harvest just in time for the holidays.

The Durant family started in the wine grape business in Yamhill County, Oregon. The family diversified into olive growing about seven years ago.

They have found that certain varieties of olive trees do OK despite the damp chill of Northwest winters.