After rescheduling due to COVID restrictions and a historic winter ice storm, the 2021 Oregon Aglink Annual Membership Meeting occurred virtually on March 4. Members voted to approve last year’s minutes and the treasurer’s report for current Oregon Aglink finances. Based on recent mail-in ballots, the Board of Directors serving this year were announced and the Executive Committee will serve for another year in their officer roles.
In spite of challenging times, including wildfires, a pandemic, and storms, Oregon Aglink staff and committees successfully adapted most of Oregon Aglink’s signature programs (Adopt a Farmer, Small Farm Safety, Crop ID signs) and fundraisers (Friends of Oregon Agriculture Golf Tournament and Denim & Diamonds auction). The flexibility of new programming like virtual field trips and online auction bidding will be useful even as the organization returns to normal in the coming year!
Rick Skayhan, Health and Life Director from Leonard Adams Insurance Co, joined the annual meeting to cover the newest Oregon Aglink member benefit: an association health plan that offers group rates and great savings. Employers with at least one qualifying part-time employee can contact Rick and his team to discuss the 21 health plans and 3 dental plans that include providers statewide, not just in metro areas. Member testimonials so far point to high satisfaction with the quote and on-boarding processes, especially since employer groups can switch at any time and are not limited to their current plan renewal dates.
For more info, contact Rick at [email protected] or via phone 503-922-4834
Joining the video call to discuss the Northwest Ag Innovation Hub was Alex Paraskevas, Rural Innovation Catalyst and Polk County business retention and expansion manager from SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corporation). Keeping Oregon farms competitive and on the cutting edge of technology can be difficult when farms rarely get the chance to offer direct input on technology but still assume great risks as early adopters. Through a regional farmer network, the Hub will connect farms with developers and entrepreneurs to collaborate on new crops, products, and processes that reflect what producers actually want and need in today’s agriculture.
For more info, contact Alex at [email protected] or via phone 503-931-3148