| Strategic Road Map for ODA |
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| Introduction |
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As the Oregon Department of Agriculture charts its course for the future, our efforts must be closely tied with the well being of the agriculture industry and its contributions to the state´s economy. Everything we do needs to address the needs of agriculture, its environment, and the Oregon consumer. ODA´s success will be measured on how well we fulfill those needs.
ODA has a three-fold mission: 1) promoting and developing the economic viability of the agricultural industry; 2) protecting Oregon´s agricultural natural resources for present and future generations; and 3) ensuring Oregonians receive quality food products that are safe and wholesome.
I believe ODA is a well-run, fiscally-responsible, strategically-managed organization that includes experts in a multitude of fields. The various divisions and staff function in a team-environment that makes it a priority to be responsive to the needs of customers.
This Strategic Road Map is what its label implies. ODA´s destination includes an economic future for Oregon agriculture, a sustainable natural resource system that protects those key ingredients for a sound agricultural economy, and a food supply that maintains its integrity with all consumers of Oregon products. The route taken to arrive at this destination is spelled out in the following pages.
This document articulates where the agency needs to go and how we are going to get there. The end result will be a better Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Katy Coba, ODA director
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| Helping agriculture succeed economically |
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Agriculture is vital to Oregon´s economy, represents the backbone of Oregon´s rural communities, and is an important component in many urban communities. ODA takes to heart its responsibility to assist in the development and expansion of markets for Oregon´s farm and processed food products.
What we do
Agriculture´s future depends on maintaining a dynamic link between production in the field and interaction with customers in the marketplace. ODA provides this link by enhancing value, creating opportunities that bring buyers and sellers together, and helping Oregon businesses meet the challenges of the world market.
Key principles guiding this process
- ODA provides a gateway to the global market. Our trade managers offer expertise and knowledge of priority markets as well as the products grown in Oregon. We advocate for market access by opening inroads to new markets and creating opportunities for higher margin sales.
- ODA helps Oregon agriculture stay competitive. Our staff trains and assists new businesses and new-to-export firms, and supports the development of value-added food processing.
- ODA encourages innovation and adding value to the state´s commodity products. We develop programs that address changing market demands and assist in the development of new processes and products.
Strategic priorities and new initiatives
- Utilize the Brand Oregon campaign by working with commodity commissions to feature a variety of Oregon agricultural food products.
- Incorporate various services of ODA for voluntary certification of agricultural products, food processing and on-farm activities that food buyers are demanding. This helps support the competitiveness of Oregon products in the marketplace.
- Aggressively promote Oregon agricultural products through targeted trade activities in priority export markets.
- Work with producers, food processors, and Oregon State University through the Food Innovation Center to identify and develop new products for niche markets.
- Help site new value-added processing facilities as well as retain and/or expand existing facilities.
- Continue working with various partners to provide technical assistance, identify resources, and overcome roadblocks in developing renewable energy options for agricultural producers.
- Facilitate collaboration, helping organizations accomplish together what cannot be done individually. This includes enhanced partnerships with commodity commissions in their promotional efforts.
How we measure success
- Estimated or actual revenues as a result of expanded agricultural production or processing capacity.
- Number of producers and packers participating in ODA certification programs.
Why this is important to Oregon
Agricultural producers and processors must continually upgrade performance, adding value through new products and improved services. Oregon´s agricultural vitality depends on this. ODA has invested in marketing and development programs that foster a healthy agricultural economy through efforts to build markets for high value and value-added products and to diversify use of agriculture´s natural resource base.
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| Helping agriculture succeed environmentally |
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Part of what makes Oregon such a desirable state is its wealth of natural resources. Oregonians hold those natural resources as an important value. This is especially true of the agriculture industry in general, which takes its responsibility for good stewardship of the air, land, and water very seriously. We agree with these values, and part of our mission is to help protect the natural resource base for present and future generations of farmers and ranchers.
What we do
ODA assists farmers and ranchers in land stewardship, air and water quality protection, and enhancement of other natural resources. We strive to carry this mission out in a manner that allows agriculture to remain viable. ODA works directly with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to
- develop and implement management plans that address or prevent agriculture-related water quality problems on farms and ranches.
- help livestock operators address water quality issues in a manner that meets state and federal requirements.
- manage the practice of open field burning in the Willamette Valley to preserve this agronomic tool while limiting the impact on air quality.
- conserve botanical resources including rare, threatened, and endangered plants.
ODA regulates the use of pesticides in Oregon to protect people and the environment from adverse effects, and assures that fertilizers do not contain harmful ingredients. We do so while recognizing that pesticides and fertilizers are important tools for agriculture and their uses need to be maintained.
We encourage the conservation of natural resources through coordination, administrative oversight, and financial support of Oregon's 45 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and facilitate cooperation with federal agencies and OSU's Cooperative Extension Service.
In addition, the department addresses land use issues related to farm land, including maintaining an adequate land base, protecting the ability to conduct farming practices, and developing and protecting sources of water needed by the industry.
Strategic priorities and new initiatives
- Facilitate the delivery of maximum financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to help them comply with environmental requirements.
- Help all permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) achieve and maintain compliance with new federal “NPDES” permit, including new Animal Waste Management Plans.
- Increase participation in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) by working with USDA to expand eligibility and increase incentives.
- Monitor and support the “alternatives to field burning” grant research program. This grower-funded program continues to develop viable alternatives to field burning.
How we measure success
- Implementation of agricultural water quality management plans is leading to more voluntary efforts by landowners regarding conservation practices and is improving resource condition and water quality.
- ODA provides permit coverage to all livestock operations that meet the federal definition of operations that require NPDES permits by 2006.
- By December 2006, all permitted CAFOs are implementing approved Animal Waste Management Plans.
- Financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers increases through state, federal, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Why this is important to Oregon
Our ability to assist agricultural operators in managing Oregon's natural resources will help provide a sustainable industry that can serve as a model for good stewardship. It is our experience that most farmers and ranchers care as much as anyone, if not more, about taking care of the land and water so important to the success of their operation. ODA will continue to provide tools to help Oregon agriculture protect natural resources while keeping operators economically viable.
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| Responding to pests, diseases, and other threats to agriculture |
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Oregon agriculture faces a number of threats including invasive pests, dangerous livestock diseases, mislabeled or harmful feeds and fertilizers, livestock theft and predation, bioterrorism and natural disasters. Many of these risks are associated with an increasingly global economy while others are related to social, political, and environmental factors. Helping farmers and ranchers cope with these risks is a major effort of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
What we do
- Operate prevention, detection, and eradication programs to protect Oregon from invasive plant pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.
- Work to prevent, control and eradicate livestock diseases.
- Ensure the safety of food animals by monitoring production, content, and labeling of animal feeds.
- Deter livestock theft.
- Fund livestock predator control programs and work to improve programs that reduce or prevent wildlife damage to crops and livestock.
- Prevent the sale of improperly labeled fertilizers or those containing harmful ingredients.
Strategic priorities and new initiatives
- Implement strong prevention programs for emerging and emergency animal diseases such as BSE (mad cow disease), scrapie in sheep, and chronic wasting disease in captive cervids.
- Implement similar prevention programs for plant diseases and pests such as ramorum blight (sudden oak death), gypsy moth, and Japanese beetle.
- Work closely with federal homeland security programs to deal with disease and pest threats to animals and plants in Oregon.
- Establish functional weed control programs in most Oregon counties.
- Improve compliance with livestock ownership and health certification requirements in transitory situations such as border crossings, rodeos, fairs, pasture movements, and auction markets.
- Work with industry, neighboring states, and the federal government to implement a National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
- Support the functions and initiatives of the Wildlife Damage Advisory Council.
How we measure success
- A one-stop system for reporting invasives is implemented, and a high or growing level of public awareness of invasive species is documented.
- Invasives listed on the 100 Most Dangerous Invaders Threatening Oregon are kept out of Oregon. (A new Oregon benchmark has been established for this.)
- Increase in the number of Oregon counties implementing functional weed control programs and in the percentage of funded weed control grant applications.
- Animal disease control is enhanced through training of veterinary and livestock industry personnel, acquisition of equipment, development of rapid field testing capability, and increased surveillance of interstate livestock movement.
- All Oregon feed mills are inspected and found in compliance with the FDA ruminant feed ban to ensure no cases of harmful disease are found in Oregon.
- Reduced label violation rate for commercially produced animal feeds.
- Border stops and compliance inspections of livestock in transit increases public awareness of animal health and ownership requirements. Violations decrease over time.
- Percent of compliance with fertilizer labeling requirements.
Why this is important to Oregon
The economic viability of Oregon agriculture depends on effective public/private efforts to control threats to the industry. In many cases, public health or welfare are also at stake. Therefore, all Oregonians benefit from successful efforts to prevent, monitor, control, or eradicate those elements that may cause harm to agriculture.
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| Ensuring safe food and protecting Oregon consumers |
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It´s important that Oregonians have a safe food supply and are treated fairly in the marketplace. The Oregon Department of Agriculture´s consumer protection programs strive to ensure that Oregonians receive quality food products that are safe and wholesome, and that products manufactured and sold in Oregon are accurately represented in terms of weight and measure. In short, part of our mission is to make sure you get what you pay for.
What we do
A safe and wholesome food supply is a top priority in ODA´s mission. We inspect food processors, retail grocers and in-store delis to ensure products are produced and maintained in safe and sanitary conditions.
Assuring a level playing field for Oregon business by annual examinations of more than 52,000 commercially used weighing and measuring devices is a core responsibility. In addition, we monitor the sale of products by weight and measure, and validate that motor fuel sold in Oregon meets national standards. We also monitor the wholesomeness of Oregon shellfish for commercial and recreational harvesters. We test and audit animal feeds, seeds, and fertilizer products to assure Oregon meets quality standards and products are accurately labeled.
Strategic priorities and new initiatives
- Identify the potential for food borne illness more effectively.
- Continue developing new inspection protocols for food retailers and food service delis.
- Enhance consumer education about proper food handling and preparation to minimize the potential for food borne illness.
- Work with federal homeland security efforts to prevent and respond to potential acts of bioterrorism to the food supply.
- Participate in emergency response drills to assure Oregon's preparedness for a biosecurity or bioterrorist incident that may affect the food supply.
- Provide education and outreach to the corporate industry on packaged product requirements to increase compliance at the retail level.
- Conduct transaction verification audits to assure that weighing and measuring devices are being used correctly in commerce.
- Conduct undercover test purchases of motor fuel when warranted to guarantee motorists get the amount and quality of fuel they are paying for.
How we measure success
- Rate of compliance by Oregon industry with the Center for Disease Control risk factors for food borne illness.
- Percent of packaged product found in compliance with label statements.
- Percent of motor fuel samples found in compliance with posted octane levels.
- Percent of commercially used weighing and measuring devices found in compliance with national standards.
Why this is important to Oregon
No other programs or services provided by the Oregon Department of Agriculture affect more Oregonians than those involving food safety and consumer protection. For the health and well being of both the consumer and business, we will continue to make these programs a high priority while looking for more efficient and effective ways of offering assurance.
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| Making it easier to do business with ODA |
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It should be easy for the citizens of Oregon to do business with government. At ODA, we are finding ways to make our services more accessible. We recognize that to accommodate people´s busy schedules, services need to be available more often than from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday.
Providing the best possible customer service is the highest priority for the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
What we do
- Commit to providing good customer service, including timely response by the appropriate ODA staff to the needs of customers.
- Convey a proactive, helpful approach to our customers and assist them in complying with regulations.
- Use new technologies and processes to improve service delivery.
- Make information and resources accessible to the public through the department's Web site.
How we measure success
- Periodically conduct customer service surveys to determine satisfaction with accessibility of ODA services.
- Use advisory groups to evaluate new technologies prior to implementing.
- Number of programs and online business transactions conducted between ODA and customers.
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| Serving the regulated community |
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One of the most common complaints from Oregon agriculture to government is: “you are overwhelming us with regulation.” Our job is to continually review our regulations, eliminate those that are no longer necessary, and streamline regulations wherever we can. Where government regulation is important, necessary, and mandated by law, the manner in which it is implemented can make a tremendous difference to the regulated community.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture views its regulatory responsibility as “service” not just to the citizens of Oregon, but to those ODA regulates as well.
What we do
ODA regulates Oregon's food and fiber industry from the seed bed to the supermarket shelf. The wheels of commerce would not turn in Oregon without ODA ensuring accuracy in weight and measurement, safety in the food supply, and providing certification of the quality and disease-free status of agricultural products in interstate commerce.
Key principles guiding this process
- Educate before regulating
- Offer flexibility to those regulated, within the limits of the law and the requirements of public health and safety.
- Treat the regulated community as customers—with respect and a service ethic.
Why this is important to Oregon
Good regulatory programs increase consumer confidence, open markets around the world, and level the playing field by ensuring all producers play by the same rules. Good regulatory programs do this in a thoughtful, consistent, and even-handed manner that allows producers to be successful in a global marketplace.
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| Board of Agriculture |
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As an advisory body to the Oregon Department of Agriculture that is now taking on more policy making authority, the State Board of Agriculture will continue to be the voice for Oregon's agricultural industry. This role includes serving as a convener for discussions on key policy issues that affect the industry. Although most board members represent a specific agricultural commodity, it is important that each of us speaks and acts on behalf of all commodities. In doing so, the board and the industry present a unified, credible presence in the legislature and other decision-making venues despite the great diversity within the industry.
Just as this Strategic Road Map outlines ODA's responsiveness to its constituents, the Board of Agriculture remains committed to working hard in responding to the challenges and opportunities facing Oregon agriculture. That includes a good line of communication between board members and all interested parties, whether they are within industry or not. All Oregonians have access to the board and its members, and should feel welcome in contacting us when the need arises.
Finally, it is important to note that the Board of Agriculture has reviewed, offered input, and ultimately endorsed the Strategic Road Map presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. We feel it offers a clear direction for the agency in how it fulfills its mission to the citizens of Oregon.
Bernie Faber, chair
State Board of Agriculture
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