Legislature approves emergency funding to fight grasshoppers

The legislative Emergency Board approved of $119,000 to fight a grasshopper infestation in eastern Oregon Friday, according to a release from Senate Minority leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day).

"Grasshoppers belong on a fishing hook, not piled up on farmland," Ferriol saidi.

The money provided will go toward funding a state entomologist and offset costs that farmers have already shouldered to get rid of the grasshoppers. According to Ferrioli, Oregon farmers have had to treat 14,000 acres of land to stave off the infestation and protect wheat, barley, corn, potato, and other crops. But state help was needed to take care of more than 773,000 acres still affected.

Ferrioli submitted the request for extra funding on Monday, and was quick to praise Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) for his decisive action.

"I want to thank Senate President Peter Courtney for his attention to this issue," Ferrioli said.  "This funding goes a long way towards keeping family farms functioning and profitable, and lets rural Oregon know that we still matter."