The state of Oregon prides itself on being at the forefront of sustainability, and environmental awareness. Food and food culture in Oregon plays a monumental role in these values and dynamics. However, as with any issue where people feel strongly, there are conflicts. Food sustainability requires agriculture on some level. Oregon has farmers that grow a wide variety of large and specialty crops. One of the contentions right now between farmers is seed purity. Cross-pollination cannot always be prevented by human methods.
Canola is a crop that is growing in demand, both for cooking oil and for bio-fuel purposes. The crop also grows very well in the Willamette Valley. The valley is also home to many specialty seed farms who are worried the purity of their seed will be destroyed by cross-pollination with canola, as many of the specialty crops are in the same family, such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts. Although there may be new regulation that places strict limitations on land where canola is planted and where is can be located, other farmers are still wary and fighting hard to protect their own crops.
Lawmakers are being pressured from both sides. Specialty seed farmers want them to lay down strict regulations on canola planting and production, while canola farmers are looking to expand the area they are allowed to grow the crop. It seems that somewhere along the line, a compromise will have to be made. Oregonians want access to local biofuels, which is possible as there is a biofuel processing plant in Polk County. However, they also want local produce, provided by the specialty crop farmers.
Is it possible to grow both crops in an environmentally safe and economical way? For Oregonians to have access to local biofuels, growing canola on a larger scale is necessary. And for Oregonians to have access to local produce and other specialty crops, they must be protected from cross-pollination with other crops. Which leads to the question: Is complete food sustainability in any one state truly possible? Due to the economy we have, people are always going to want products that come from outside the state. And the state itself may not have the agricultural space to provide all the things that residents want. Do we sacrifice one crop for the others, or do we allow both to grow at the risk of contamination?
http://portlandtribune.com/fgnt/36-news/126554-canola-debate-pits-biofuels-against-seeds