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‘Earth To Beer’: Oregon, US breweries join project to brew a beer with environment in mind

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Friday, March 22, 2024

Editor’s note: This is a re-publication of the Oregon Brews and News weekly beer and cider newsletter, written by Oregonian/OregonLive beer writer Andre Meunier. To subscribe to have the newsletter delivered every Thursday at noon to your email inbox, go to oregonlive.com/newsletters and sign up.***Eric Steen is a brewing industry renaissance man. From marketing, to media relations, to event planning, to beer expert TV appearances, he does it all. And, more importantly, he’s a great human who cares about people.One of Steen’s passions is conservation and environmentalism, and in the past he has brought his interests together with projects like Cheers to the Land, The Oregon I Am, and Beers Made By Walking. Now, Steen is organizing Earth To Beer, a national movement with a goal for participating breweries to create a packaged beer that’s better for the planet. The initiative asks breweries to intentionally source environmentally responsible ingredients for their beer, then donate a portion of proceeds to a local environmentally focused nonprofit.Steen’s work is highly recognized and respected in the brewing world, so it’s no surprise that more than 35 breweries are on board, including Oregon names like Hopworks, Steeplejack, Little Beast, Level and Ferment. They will begin releasing beers starting on April 1, and continue through Earth Day on April 22.“We created Earth To Beer to advance the conversation about the importance of sourcing sustainable ingredients and supporting good agriculture,” Steen said. “While this is a national campaign in terms of the range of breweries involved and the audience we’re trying to connect with, it’s very much a local initiative in terms of the very real impacts we expect and hope to see.”Each brewery picks its own style to make, based on what sustainable ingredients they choose to use and what beer they know their fans will want. They also receive a unique, eye-catching label, created by Earth To Beer and designed to align with individual brewery’s branding while employing a common Earth to Beer layout supporting the movement’s overall look and feel.The project also offers scholarships — funded by Earth To Beer sponsor Arryved — to BIPOC-owned and newly opened breweries to cover costs.“Because beer is an agricultural product, I’ve been inspired by the relationship between conservation and craft beer for years,” Steen said. “It just feels like a really organic pathway to make some real change and work with a lot of people who often have the passion to make more sustainable choices but need help establishing a jumping off point.”Cheers to the project and to Eric. Start looking for Earth To Beer cans soon, and get a full list of participating breweries and sponsors at earthtobeer.com.Mayfly buzzing at 5 years oldRyan Born opened Mayfly Taproom & Bottle Shop nearly a year to the day before COVID-19 shut the city down, making its first year — always tough for a new business — even harder.“Pivot after pivot, the roller coaster ride is real,” Born says. “My original manager Morgan talked about it not being the kind of roller coaster you ride at a big theme park, but the kind at a state fair that they just assembled and is being operated by some 17-year-old kid who got just a few hours of training. It feels like it might all come crumbling down any minute.”Well said, Ryan and Morgan, but the crew at the excellent North Portland beer bar has made it to five years, and they’re ready to party for three days this weekend, from Friday through Sunday.“We made it to 5 thanks to our ridiculously amazing community,” Born says. Here are all the details:Friday: The day will feature “our friends Taylor and Kailin from Steward’s Valley Farm,” Born says. “They are amazing folks with a great little family farm in Oregon City.” The first feature will be a special one-off keg of Babi from Living Häus Beer Co., a Czech-style black lager that is easy drinking and refreshing with just a touch of roast character and a toasty malt bill. It’s been infused with a Steward’s Valley roasted coffee from Guji, Ethiopia. The second feature will be part of Little Brother PDX’s pop-up menu, featuring some overwintered kale as well as dried beans and chilies from last year’s harvest. Their full menu consists of their “Looper Burger,” house bratwurst, braised kale and beans, and banana bread with chocolate chips and hazelnuts.Saturday: Champs Burgers will be debuting a new burger grind made from 50-day dry-aged NY strips, Drag Bingo with Peachy Springs, and Yovu Beer from Nate Yovu, a North Portlander who brewed up a special batch of what he’s calling a “White Lager” — a sort of Cold IPA/Hazy hybrid. It’s called Ghostman and clocks in at 5%.Sunday: This is Mayfly’s fifth year partnering with Yoga+Beer, so what better way to start its sixth year with a morning practice. Tickets available here. Machetes.PDX makes psychedelic looking marbled “quesadillas.” This Mexico City street food is a long tortilla (shaped like a machete blade) that you can fill with up to four guisados (braised or stewed meats, vegetables, etc).“The road to 5 hasn’t been easy,” Born says, “but treating Mayfly (and our plaza) as a community space to host pop-ups, book clubs, makers markets and many other events has allowed us to support so many additional small/tiny businesses in our community, and the relationships that have been formed have helped us get to where we are today.“We look forward to hosting many more of these events and continuing to bring people together over a good pint, and a great plate of food,” he says.Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 8350 N. Fenwick Ave.Best of Craft Beer Awards heldThe Best of Craft Beer Awards were just held in Redmond, and the competition, billed as “one of America’s fastest growing beer awards,” featured 389 breweries that submitted almost 2,000 entries in 55 categories. Over 100 judges sampled the offerings over three days, then awarded 169 gold, silver, and bronze medals to 123 breweries located around the world. The highlights:2024 Large-Sized Brewery of the Year: Breakside Brewery & Taproom of Milwaukie2024 Medium-Sized Brewery of the Year: Best Day Brewing of Sausalito, California2024 Small-size Brewery of the Year: McMenamins Old Saint Francis School of BendGet all the results here.Sports Bra snub not appreciatedMy colleague Lizzy Acker is, like me, a fan of The Sports Bra, the women’s sports themed bar on Northeast Broadway. So Lizzy, a trending and arts reporter, was not pleased this week when a list of the country’s best sports bars came out and listed one particular Portland sports bar but not another particular sports bar. Read her entertaining take here to learn more.Beer of the WeekBier Wulf Bavarian IPA by Double Mountain Brewery & CideryCourtesy of Double Mountain Brewery & CideryBier Wulf Bavarian IPA, Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery: The Hood River brewery describes its newest seasonal release as a “testament to the Bavarian IPA style but with a twist. It unifies the earthy tones of German hops with the vibrant citrus notes of American counterparts. The German malts provide a complementary foundation, allowing the hops to take center stage. While the use of Hygge yeast lends a clean ferment with light fruit esters, resulting in a dry finish and a pleasantly bready mouthfeel.” Brewery notes: “Notes of ripe citrus, grapefruit pith, and spicy evergreen howling across the palate. The appearance of Bier Wulf is akin to “Sunshine in Brugge,” while its aroma evokes images of wildflowers, bright citrus, and sticky fruit. With a medium bitterness on the tongue and a dry, crisp finish complemented by hints of pineapple, orange, lemon, and pine, Bier Wulf promises an exploration of all of your inner wolf senses.” Bier Wulf also comes with an accompanying Spotify playlist curated by the brewers — scan the code on the bottle with Spotify to access the playlist. Bier Wulf now available for purchase in 500ml refillable bottles and on tap at all Double Mountain locations and in retail throughout the Northwest.What to do, what to do?Upright Brewing 15th anniversary: I’ll be writing more in depth on this soon, but mark the date on Saturday, April 6, when Upright will throw down to celebrate 15 trips around the sun. Founder and head brewer Alex Ganum hosts the bash at the brewery’s main location, 240 N. Broadway, with collabs and a new Upright release. This party, from 1-9 p.m., is sure to draw the who’s who among the Portland brewing community to celebrate this cherished brewery. See you there.Tualatin Valley’s Tap Season: Launched by Explore Tualatin Valley, the destination marketing organization that markets Tualatin Valley as a travel destination, Tap Season is a promotion for beer and cider lovers that includes exclusive event and specials, as well as the re-launch of the successful Tualatin Valley Ale Trail Mobile Passport — a digital passport where beer connoisseurs will earn points for prizes by checking in to any of the 37 participating producers, including Breakside, Ancestry, Bull Run Cider, Cooper Mountain, Golden Valley and Portland Cider.Events include:Alpaca Happy Hour 1: Noon-3 p.m., Hillsboro Downtown Station, 320 S.E. Baseline St., Hillsboro. Come to the food carts at Hillsboro Downtown Station and snap a pic with the alpacas, enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders, and hang out with the Tap Season Street Team, which will be handing out free swag)Alpaca Happy Hour 2: 4-6 p.m., Stickmen Brewing’s Tualatin Beer Hall, 19475 S.W. 118th Ave., Suite 1, Tualatin. The Beer Hall is also hosting an alpaca happy hour. Meet the alpacas while you enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders. The Tap Season Street Team will hand out free Tap Season swag again.Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest: Now in its ninth year, this annual event, held this year on April 27, invites seasoned and novice cider enthusiasts to sample ciders from Columbia River Gorge and Pacific Northwest hard cidermakers. It offers over 60 ciders on tap from more than 30 cideries. Held at the Port of Hood River Event Site, this year the event expands its footprint to provide beachfront access to the Columbia River and the option for attendees to bring their own glass, contributing to what organizers call an “immersive and sustainable Hood River experience.” Beyond cider sampling, the daylong event boasts artisan food, art vendors, music and a children’s play area. For more information or tickets, visit hoodriverciderfest.com. For more information on Hood River, or to book a stay at one of Hood River’s lodging options visit visithoodriver.com/stay.New Releases of NotePaloma Sour, Migration BrewingColby SchlickerPaloma Sour, Migration Brewing: This beer, released for the second time on Wednesday, won the Experimental Beers category at the Best of Craft Beer Awards. This gently tart, golden soured ale was fermented before being inoculated with Migration’s house lactobacillus culture, then was aged in Reposado Tequila barrels before being blended with ample amounts of grapefruit puree, lime juice and zest. A dusting of Hawaiian sea salt was added to round out this Paloma-style cocktail sour. Brewery notes: “Hints of oak complement delicate tequila and citrus notes, while gentle acidity and light salinity combine for a complex refreshing beer that resonates with beer and cocktail drinkers alike.”Farm-to-Market Hazy Imperial IPA, Laurelwood Brewing and Zupan’s Markets: The 28th installment in Zupan’s Farm-to-Market beer series, which began in 2015, is this hazy double IPA with the Northeast Portland brewery — the second between the two. Brewery notes: “Smooth, resiny grapefruit flavor with a tropical, dank citrus aroma, set against a backdrop of rosy straw-orange haze and a light yellow-orange tan head. The beer is crafted from a blend of premium malts and a diverse selection of hops for a complex yet balanced profile.” Available exclusively at Zupan’s Markets in 16-ounce cans.Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcoholic IPA, Deschutes Brewery: The Bend and Portland brewery’s latest release is a nonalcoholic version of its No. 1 selling IPA, Fresh Squeezed. Deschutes has invested heavily in NA over the past five years, and NA Fresh Squeezed is crafted in-house through a partnership with Sustainable Beverage Technologies and uses the company’s patented BrewVo® technology in combination with Deschutes’ proprietary brewing methods. Brewery notes: “Brilliantly balanced and features the same Citra and Mosaic hops as the original, delivering refreshing notes of bright citrus and tropical fruit, with less than 0.5% ABV.” Fresh Squeezed NA comes on the heels of Deschutes’ first packaged non-alcoholic beer, Black Butte Non-Alcoholic, which quickly became the brewery’s highest rate-of-sale six-pack. Both are available nationwide at select retailers, bars, and restaurants. Use the “beer finder” to find the closest retailer or here to purchase the new non-alcoholic options online.McMenamins Hard Seltzer – Lemon Raspberry, McMenamins West Linn Brewery: The brewery group is the latest to enter the “seltzer space,” as industry lingo calls it. McMenamins says it plans to have different flavors of its Hard Seltzer in the future, but as a tribute to its well-known Ruby Ale, Raspberry is the first. Brewery notes: “Light and refreshing, this low calorie sipper delivers delicious flavors of raspberry and a hint of lemon for a crisp and effervescent experience.” Now available on draft at McMenamins locations and in cans starting Friday, March 29.— Andre Meunier has been writing about Northwest beer and breweries since 2016; reach him at 503-221-8488 or ameunier@oregonian.com, and sign up for his weekly newsletter, Oregon Brews and News. Instagram: @oregonianbeerguy

The Portland-born effort asks breweries to source environmentally responsible ingredients for a beer then donate to a local environmentally focused nonprofit. Also in this beer news roundup, North Portland's Mayfly throws a three-day party this weekend for its fifth anniversary.

Editor’s note: This is a re-publication of the Oregon Brews and News weekly beer and cider newsletter, written by Oregonian/OregonLive beer writer Andre Meunier. To subscribe to have the newsletter delivered every Thursday at noon to your email inbox, go to oregonlive.com/newsletters and sign up.

***

Eric Steen is a brewing industry renaissance man. From marketing, to media relations, to event planning, to beer expert TV appearances, he does it all. And, more importantly, he’s a great human who cares about people.

One of Steen’s passions is conservation and environmentalism, and in the past he has brought his interests together with projects like Cheers to the Land, The Oregon I Am, and Beers Made By Walking. Now, Steen is organizing Earth To Beer, a national movement with a goal for participating breweries to create a packaged beer that’s better for the planet. The initiative asks breweries to intentionally source environmentally responsible ingredients for their beer, then donate a portion of proceeds to a local environmentally focused nonprofit.

Steen’s work is highly recognized and respected in the brewing world, so it’s no surprise that more than 35 breweries are on board, including Oregon names like Hopworks, Steeplejack, Little Beast, Level and Ferment. They will begin releasing beers starting on April 1, and continue through Earth Day on April 22.

“We created Earth To Beer to advance the conversation about the importance of sourcing sustainable ingredients and supporting good agriculture,” Steen said. “While this is a national campaign in terms of the range of breweries involved and the audience we’re trying to connect with, it’s very much a local initiative in terms of the very real impacts we expect and hope to see.”

Each brewery picks its own style to make, based on what sustainable ingredients they choose to use and what beer they know their fans will want. They also receive a unique, eye-catching label, created by Earth To Beer and designed to align with individual brewery’s branding while employing a common Earth to Beer layout supporting the movement’s overall look and feel.

The project also offers scholarships — funded by Earth To Beer sponsor Arryved — to BIPOC-owned and newly opened breweries to cover costs.

“Because beer is an agricultural product, I’ve been inspired by the relationship between conservation and craft beer for years,” Steen said. “It just feels like a really organic pathway to make some real change and work with a lot of people who often have the passion to make more sustainable choices but need help establishing a jumping off point.”

Cheers to the project and to Eric. Start looking for Earth To Beer cans soon, and get a full list of participating breweries and sponsors at earthtobeer.com.

Mayfly buzzing at 5 years old

Ryan Born opened Mayfly Taproom & Bottle Shop nearly a year to the day before COVID-19 shut the city down, making its first year — always tough for a new business — even harder.

“Pivot after pivot, the roller coaster ride is real,” Born says. “My original manager Morgan talked about it not being the kind of roller coaster you ride at a big theme park, but the kind at a state fair that they just assembled and is being operated by some 17-year-old kid who got just a few hours of training. It feels like it might all come crumbling down any minute.”

Well said, Ryan and Morgan, but the crew at the excellent North Portland beer bar has made it to five years, and they’re ready to party for three days this weekend, from Friday through Sunday.

“We made it to 5 thanks to our ridiculously amazing community,” Born says. Here are all the details:

Friday: The day will feature “our friends Taylor and Kailin from Steward’s Valley Farm,” Born says. “They are amazing folks with a great little family farm in Oregon City.” The first feature will be a special one-off keg of Babi from Living Häus Beer Co., a Czech-style black lager that is easy drinking and refreshing with just a touch of roast character and a toasty malt bill. It’s been infused with a Steward’s Valley roasted coffee from Guji, Ethiopia. The second feature will be part of Little Brother PDX’s pop-up menu, featuring some overwintered kale as well as dried beans and chilies from last year’s harvest. Their full menu consists of their “Looper Burger,” house bratwurst, braised kale and beans, and banana bread with chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
Saturday: Champs Burgers will be debuting a new burger grind made from 50-day dry-aged NY strips, Drag Bingo with Peachy Springs, and Yovu Beer from Nate Yovu, a North Portlander who brewed up a special batch of what he’s calling a “White Lager” — a sort of Cold IPA/Hazy hybrid. It’s called Ghostman and clocks in at 5%.
Sunday: This is Mayfly’s fifth year partnering with Yoga+Beer, so what better way to start its sixth year with a morning practice. Tickets available here. Machetes.PDX makes psychedelic looking marbled “quesadillas.” This Mexico City street food is a long tortilla (shaped like a machete blade) that you can fill with up to four guisados (braised or stewed meats, vegetables, etc).

“The road to 5 hasn’t been easy,” Born says, “but treating Mayfly (and our plaza) as a community space to host pop-ups, book clubs, makers markets and many other events has allowed us to support so many additional small/tiny businesses in our community, and the relationships that have been formed have helped us get to where we are today.

“We look forward to hosting many more of these events and continuing to bring people together over a good pint, and a great plate of food,” he says.

Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 8350 N. Fenwick Ave.

Best of Craft Beer Awards held

The Best of Craft Beer Awards were just held in Redmond, and the competition, billed as “one of America’s fastest growing beer awards,” featured 389 breweries that submitted almost 2,000 entries in 55 categories. Over 100 judges sampled the offerings over three days, then awarded 169 gold, silver, and bronze medals to 123 breweries located around the world. The highlights:

2024 Large-Sized Brewery of the Year: Breakside Brewery & Taproom of Milwaukie
2024 Medium-Sized Brewery of the Year: Best Day Brewing of Sausalito, California
2024 Small-size Brewery of the Year: McMenamins Old Saint Francis School of Bend

Get all the results here.

Sports Bra snub not appreciated

My colleague Lizzy Acker is, like me, a fan of The Sports Bra, the women’s sports themed bar on Northeast Broadway. So Lizzy, a trending and arts reporter, was not pleased this week when a list of the country’s best sports bars came out and listed one particular Portland sports bar but not another particular sports bar. Read her entertaining take here to learn more.

Beer of the Week

Bier Wulf Bavarian IPA by Double Mountain Brewery & CideryCourtesy of Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery

Bier Wulf Bavarian IPA, Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery: The Hood River brewery describes its newest seasonal release as a “testament to the Bavarian IPA style but with a twist. It unifies the earthy tones of German hops with the vibrant citrus notes of American counterparts. The German malts provide a complementary foundation, allowing the hops to take center stage. While the use of Hygge yeast lends a clean ferment with light fruit esters, resulting in a dry finish and a pleasantly bready mouthfeel.” Brewery notes: “Notes of ripe citrus, grapefruit pith, and spicy evergreen howling across the palate. The appearance of Bier Wulf is akin to “Sunshine in Brugge,” while its aroma evokes images of wildflowers, bright citrus, and sticky fruit. With a medium bitterness on the tongue and a dry, crisp finish complemented by hints of pineapple, orange, lemon, and pine, Bier Wulf promises an exploration of all of your inner wolf senses.” Bier Wulf also comes with an accompanying Spotify playlist curated by the brewers — scan the code on the bottle with Spotify to access the playlist. Bier Wulf now available for purchase in 500ml refillable bottles and on tap at all Double Mountain locations and in retail throughout the Northwest.

What to do, what to do?

Upright Brewing 15th anniversary: I’ll be writing more in depth on this soon, but mark the date on Saturday, April 6, when Upright will throw down to celebrate 15 trips around the sun. Founder and head brewer Alex Ganum hosts the bash at the brewery’s main location, 240 N. Broadway, with collabs and a new Upright release. This party, from 1-9 p.m., is sure to draw the who’s who among the Portland brewing community to celebrate this cherished brewery. See you there.

Tualatin Valley’s Tap Season: Launched by Explore Tualatin Valley, the destination marketing organization that markets Tualatin Valley as a travel destination, Tap Season is a promotion for beer and cider lovers that includes exclusive event and specials, as well as the re-launch of the successful Tualatin Valley Ale Trail Mobile Passport — a digital passport where beer connoisseurs will earn points for prizes by checking in to any of the 37 participating producers, including Breakside, Ancestry, Bull Run Cider, Cooper Mountain, Golden Valley and Portland Cider.

Events include:

Alpaca Happy Hour 1: Noon-3 p.m., Hillsboro Downtown Station, 320 S.E. Baseline St., Hillsboro. Come to the food carts at Hillsboro Downtown Station and snap a pic with the alpacas, enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders, and hang out with the Tap Season Street Team, which will be handing out free swag)
Alpaca Happy Hour 2: 4-6 p.m., Stickmen Brewing’s Tualatin Beer Hall, 19475 S.W. 118th Ave., Suite 1, Tualatin. The Beer Hall is also hosting an alpaca happy hour. Meet the alpacas while you enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders. The Tap Season Street Team will hand out free Tap Season swag again.

Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest: Now in its ninth year, this annual event, held this year on April 27, invites seasoned and novice cider enthusiasts to sample ciders from Columbia River Gorge and Pacific Northwest hard cidermakers. It offers over 60 ciders on tap from more than 30 cideries. Held at the Port of Hood River Event Site, this year the event expands its footprint to provide beachfront access to the Columbia River and the option for attendees to bring their own glass, contributing to what organizers call an “immersive and sustainable Hood River experience.” Beyond cider sampling, the daylong event boasts artisan food, art vendors, music and a children’s play area. For more information or tickets, visit hoodriverciderfest.com. For more information on Hood River, or to book a stay at one of Hood River’s lodging options visit visithoodriver.com/stay.

New Releases of Note

A man holds bottles of beer — Paloma Sour, Migration BrewingColby Schlicker

Paloma Sour, Migration Brewing: This beer, released for the second time on Wednesday, won the Experimental Beers category at the Best of Craft Beer Awards. This gently tart, golden soured ale was fermented before being inoculated with Migration’s house lactobacillus culture, then was aged in Reposado Tequila barrels before being blended with ample amounts of grapefruit puree, lime juice and zest. A dusting of Hawaiian sea salt was added to round out this Paloma-style cocktail sour. Brewery notes: “Hints of oak complement delicate tequila and citrus notes, while gentle acidity and light salinity combine for a complex refreshing beer that resonates with beer and cocktail drinkers alike.”

Farm-to-Market Hazy Imperial IPA, Laurelwood Brewing and Zupan’s Markets: The 28th installment in Zupan’s Farm-to-Market beer series, which began in 2015, is this hazy double IPA with the Northeast Portland brewery — the second between the two. Brewery notes: “Smooth, resiny grapefruit flavor with a tropical, dank citrus aroma, set against a backdrop of rosy straw-orange haze and a light yellow-orange tan head. The beer is crafted from a blend of premium malts and a diverse selection of hops for a complex yet balanced profile.” Available exclusively at Zupan’s Markets in 16-ounce cans.

Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcoholic IPA, Deschutes Brewery: The Bend and Portland brewery’s latest release is a nonalcoholic version of its No. 1 selling IPA, Fresh Squeezed. Deschutes has invested heavily in NA over the past five years, and NA Fresh Squeezed is crafted in-house through a partnership with Sustainable Beverage Technologies and uses the company’s patented BrewVo® technology in combination with Deschutes’ proprietary brewing methods. Brewery notes: “Brilliantly balanced and features the same Citra and Mosaic hops as the original, delivering refreshing notes of bright citrus and tropical fruit, with less than 0.5% ABV.” Fresh Squeezed NA comes on the heels of Deschutes’ first packaged non-alcoholic beer, Black Butte Non-Alcoholic, which quickly became the brewery’s highest rate-of-sale six-pack. Both are available nationwide at select retailers, bars, and restaurants. Use the “beer finder” to find the closest retailer or here to purchase the new non-alcoholic options online.

McMenamins Hard Seltzer – Lemon Raspberry, McMenamins West Linn Brewery: The brewery group is the latest to enter the “seltzer space,” as industry lingo calls it. McMenamins says it plans to have different flavors of its Hard Seltzer in the future, but as a tribute to its well-known Ruby Ale, Raspberry is the first. Brewery notes: “Light and refreshing, this low calorie sipper delivers delicious flavors of raspberry and a hint of lemon for a crisp and effervescent experience.” Now available on draft at McMenamins locations and in cans starting Friday, March 29.

— Andre Meunier has been writing about Northwest beer and breweries since 2016; reach him at 503-221-8488 or ameunier@oregonian.com, and sign up for his weekly newsletter, Oregon Brews and News. Instagram: @oregonianbeerguy

Read the full story here.

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GOP lawmakers’ power transfers are reshaping North Carolina

North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature has siphoned off some of the governor’s traditional powers

North Carolina voters have chosen Democrats in three straight elections for governor; the state’s Republican-led legislature has countered by siphoning off some of the powers that traditionally came with the job. These power grabs have had a profound effect on both democracy in the state and on the everyday lives of North Carolina residents, Democrats argue. The changes are “weakening environmental protections, raising energy costs, and politicizing election administration,” Josh Stein, North Carolina’s governor, said in a text message responding to questions from ProPublica. Republican leaders in the General Assembly did not respond to requests for comment or emailed questions about the power shifts. In the past, they have defended these actions as reflecting the will of voters, with the senate president describing one key bill as balancing “appointment power between the legislative and executive branches.” Former state Sen. Bob Rucho, a Republican picked to sit on the state elections board after lawmakers shifted control from Stein to the Republican state auditor, said the changes would fix problems created by Democrats. “Republicans are very proud of what’s been accomplished,” Rucho said. Shifting authority over the elections board, he argued, would “reestablish a level of confidence in the electoral process” that Democrats had lost. ProPublica recently chronicled the nearly 10-year push to take over the board, which sets rules and settles disputes in elections in the closely divided swing state. Decisions made by the board’s new leadership — particularly on the locations and numbers of early voting sites — could affect outcomes in the 2026 midterms. Below, we examine how other power transfers driven by North Carolina’s Republican legislature are reshaping everything from the regulations that protect residents’ drinking water to the rates they pay for electricity to the culture of their state university system. Related “Biblical justice for all”: How North Carolina’s chief justice transformed his state Environmental Management Commission What it is: The Environmental Management Commission adopts rules that protect the state’s air and water, such as those that regulate industries discharging potentially carcinogenic chemicals in rivers. Power transfer: In October 2023, Republican legislators passed a law shifting the power to appoint the majority of the commission’s members from the governor to themselves and the state’s commissioner of agriculture, who is a Republican. What’s happened since: The new Republican-led commission has stymied several efforts by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to regulate a potentially harmful chemical, 1,4-dioxane, in drinking water. Advocates for businesses, including the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, had criticized some regulations and urged the commission to intervene. “Clean water is worth the cost, but regulators should not arbitrarily establish a level that is low for the sake of being low,” the chamber said in a press release. The Southern Environmental Law Center, which has pressed the state to regulate the chemical, has said the commission’s rulings are “crippling the state’s ability to protect its waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution.” Utilities Commission What it is: The North Carolina Utilities Commission regulates the rates and services of the state’s public utilities, which include providers of electricity, natural gas, water and telephone service. The commission also oversees movers, brokers, ferryboats and wastewater. Power transfer: In June 2025, a trial court sided with the General Assembly in allowing a law passed in 2024 to take effect, removing the governor’s power to appoint a majority of the commission’s members and transferring that power to legislative leaders and the state treasurer, who is a Republican. What’s happened since: The state’s primary utility, Duke Energy, has backed off from some plans to rely more on clean energy and retire coal-fired power plants. In November, the company said it would seek the commission’s approval to raise rates by 15%. In response to a new resource plan the company filed in October, the executive director of NC WARN, a climate and environmental justice nonprofit, said in a statement that Duke’s actions would cause “power bills to double or triple over time” and increase carbon emissions. The state’s governor and attorney general, both Democrats, have said they oppose the rate hike. Garrett Poorman, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, said that the company is “focused on keeping costs as low as possible while meeting growing energy needs across our footprint” and that the company had recently lowered its forecasted costs. The commission will decide whether to approve the proposed rate hikes in 2026. University of North Carolina System What it is: The University of North Carolina System encompasses 17 institutions and more than 250,000 students, including at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, considered one of best in the nation. Power transfer: Though the legislature has traditionally appointed the majority of the trustees for individual schools, the governor also made a share of these appointments. In 2016, the legislature passed a law that eliminated the governor’s ability to make university trustee appointments. In 2023, changes inserted into the state budget bill gave the legislature power to appoint all of the members of the state board that oversees community colleges and most of those colleges’ trustees. The governor had previously chosen some board members and trustees. What’s happened since: The system has created a center for conservative thought, repealed racial equity initiatives, suspended a left-leaning professor, gutted a civil rights center led by a professor long critical of Republican lawmakers and appointed politically connected Republicans to the boards. Republicans say the moves are reversing the system’s long-term leftward drift. “Ultimately, the board stays in for a while, and you change administrators, and then start to moderate the culture of the UNC schools,” said David Lewis, a former Republican House member who helped drive the changes to the university system. Democrats, including former Gov. Roy Cooper, have criticized the board changes as partisan meddling. “These actions will ultimately hurt our state’s economy and reputation,” Cooper said in a 2023 press release. Read more about this topic Democrats sound alarm on Trump administration’s attacks on voting rights “Still angry”: Voters say they won’t forget that the North Carolina GOP tried to trash their ballots “We will bring this home”: North Carolina Democrats confident they’ll defeat GOP election denial The post GOP lawmakers’ power transfers are reshaping North Carolina appeared first on Salon.com.

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Our Biggest Farming Stories of 2025

Trump’s tariffs created more headaches for farmers, particularly soybean producers, who saw their biggest buyer—China—walk away during the trade fight as their costs for fertilizer and other materials increased. Farming groups also protested when the Trump administration announced it would import 80,000 metric tons of beef from Argentina, about four times the regular quota. We […] The post Our Biggest Farming Stories of 2025 appeared first on Civil Eats.

When we started Civil Eats, we sought to report on farming from a different perspective, focusing on underrepresented voices and issues. This year, most American farmers faced significant challenges, and we strove to tell their stories. Federal budget cuts were a major disruption, impacting USDA grants that helped farmers build soil health, increase biodiversity, generate renewable energy, and sell their crops to local schools and food banks, among other projects. Trump’s tariffs created more headaches for farmers, particularly soybean producers, who saw their biggest buyer—China—walk away during the trade fight as their costs for fertilizer and other materials increased. Farming groups also protested when the Trump administration announced it would import 80,000 metric tons of beef from Argentina, about four times the regular quota. We also identified as many solutions as we could in this turbulent year by highlighting farmers’ extraordinary resilience and resourcefulness, from finding sustainable ways to grow food to fighting corporate consolidation to opening their own meat-processing cooperative. Here are our biggest farming stories of 2025, in chronological order. Farmers Need Help to Survive. A New Crop of Farm Advocates Is on the Way. Farmers with expertise in law and finance have long guided the farming community through tough situations, but their numbers have been dropping. Now, thanks to federally funded training, farm advocates are coming back. California Decides What ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ Means. Sort of. A new definition for an old way of farming may help California soil, but it won’t mean organic. Butterbee Farm, in Maryland, has received several federal grants that have been crucial for the farm’s survival. (Photo credit: L.A. Birdie Photography) Trump’s Funding Freeze Creates Chaos and Financial Distress for Farmers Efforts to transition farms to regenerative agriculture are stalled, and the path forward is unclear. How Trump’s Tariffs Will Affect Farmers and Food Prices Economists say tariffs will likely lead to higher food prices, while farmers are worried about fertilizer imports and their export markets. USDA Continues to Roll Out Deeper Cuts to Farm Grants: A List In addition to the end of two local food programs that support schools and food banks sourcing from small farms, more cuts are likely. USDA Prioritizes Economic Relief for Commodity Farmers The agency announced it will roll out economic relief payments to growers of corn, soybeans, oilseeds, and other row crops. Will Local Food Survive Trump’s USDA? Less than two months in, Trump’s USDA is bulldozing efforts that help small farms and food producers sell healthy food directly to schools, food banks, and their local communities. USDA Unfreezes Energy Funds for Farmers, but Demands They Align on DEI USDA is requesting farmers make changes to their projects so that they align with directives on energy production and DEI, a task experts say may not be legal or possible. Ranchers herd cattle across open range in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico, where conservation initiatives help restore grasslands and protect water resources. (Photo courtesy Ariel Greenwood) Trump Announces Higher Tariffs on Major Food and Agricultural Trade Partners The president says the tariffs will boost American manufacturing and make the country wealthy, but many expect farmers to suffer losses and food prices to rise. USDA Introduces Policy Agenda Focused on Small Farms Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins rolls out a 10-point plan that includes environmental deregulation and utilizing healthy food programs that have recently lost funding. USDA Drops Rules Requiring Farmers to Record Their Use of the Most Toxic Pesticides Pesticide watchdog groups say the regulations should be strengthened, not thrown out. Conservation Work on Farms and Ranches Could Take a Hit as USDA Cuts Staff Close to 2,400 employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service have accepted an offer to resign, leaving fewer hands to protect rural landscapes. USDA Cancels Additional Grants Funding Land Access and Training for Young Farmers The future of other awards in the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program remains unclear. House Bill Would Halt Assessment of PFAS Risk on Farms The bill also strengthens EPA authority around pesticide labeling, which could prevent states from adopting their own versions of labels. Should Regenerative Farmers Pin Hopes on RFK Jr.’s MAHA? While the Make America Health Again movement supports alternative farming, few of Trump’s policies promote healthy agricultural landscapes. A leaked version of the second MAHA Commission Report underscores these concerns. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, introduces Willie Nelson at Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary this year, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo credit: Lisa Held) At 40, Farm Aid Is Still About Music. It’s Also a Movement. Willie Nelson launched the music festival in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too. Agriculture Secretary Confirms US Plan to Buy Beef from Argentina Brooke Rollins on Tuesday defended a Trump administration plan that has ignited criticism from farm groups and some Republicans. For Farmers, the Government Shutdown Adds More Challenges With no access to local ag-related offices, critical loans, or disaster assistance, farmers are facing even more stressors. Farmers Struggle With Tariffs, Despite China Deal to Buy US Soybeans While the Supreme Court considers Trump’s tariffs, the farm economy falters. This Farmer-Owned Meat Processing Co-op in Tennessee Changes the Game A Q&A with Lexy Close of the Appalachian Producers Cooperative, who says the new facility has dramatically decreased processing wait times and could revive the area’s local meat economy. Farmers Face Prospect of Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. After 150 Years, California’s Sugar Beet Industry Comes to an End The Imperial Valley might be the best place in the world to grow beets. What went wrong? Trump Farmer Bailout Primarily Benefits Commodity Farms Of the $12 billion the administration will send to farmers, $11 billion is reserved for ranchers and major row crop farmers. The post Our Biggest Farming Stories of 2025 appeared first on Civil Eats.

Agriculture

Conservation

Energy

Defunding fungi: US’s living library of ‘vital ecosystem engineers’ is in danger of closing

These fungi boost plant growth and restore depleted ecosystems, but federal funding for a library housing them has been cut – and it may be forced to closeInside a large greenhouse at the University of Kansas, Professor Liz Koziol and Dr Terra Lubin tend rows of sudan grass in individual plastic pots. The roots of each straggly plant harbor a specific strain of invisible soil fungus. The shelves of a nearby cold room are stacked high with thousands of plastic bags and vials containing fungal spores harvested from these plants, then carefully preserved by the researchers.The samples in this seemingly unremarkable room are part of the International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM), the world’s largest living library of soil fungi. Four decades in the making, it could cease to exist within a year due to federal budget cuts. Continue reading...

Inside a large greenhouse at the University of Kansas, Professor Liz Koziol and Dr Terra Lubin tend rows of sudan grass in individual plastic pots. The roots of each straggly plant harbor a specific strain of invisible soil fungus. The shelves of a nearby cold room are stacked high with thousands of plastic bags and vials containing fungal spores harvested from these plants, then carefully preserved by the researchers.The samples in this seemingly unremarkable room are part of the International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM), the world’s largest living library of soil fungi. Four decades in the making, it could cease to exist within a year due to federal budget cuts.For leading mycologist Toby Kiers, this would be catastrophic. “INVAM represents a library of hundreds of millions of years of evolution,” said Kiers, executive director of the Society for Protection of Underground Networks (Spun). “Ending INVAM for scientists is like closing the Louvre for artists.”The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi conserved by INVAM are symbiotic organisms that support the growth of 70% of land plant species across all ecosystems. In exchange for sugars and fats, they provide plants with vital nutrients – phosphorus, nitrogen, trace metals – and buffer them against drought, disease and other stressors. They also represent a substantial underground sink for carbon dioxide. INVAM maintains living spores of more than 900 distinct fungal strains collected from six continents. It’s an irreplaceable hub for mycological research worldwide – but these fungi also have practical power: restoring degraded ecosystems, rebuilding damaged soils and slashing artificial fertilizer use. They are essential tools for growing food and undoing the environmental harm caused by agriculture.Established in 1985, INVAM has relied on successive federal grants for its entire existence. Its latest US National Science Foundation (NSF) funding ended in May. As curator and professor Jim Bever and team prepare a new funding proposal, the outlook is ominous: the Trump administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 would slash NSF funding by 57% and make it even more difficult to win the remaining funds.Without another grant, Bever estimates the collection can limp along for perhaps another year. Beyond that, INVAM could be forced to close. “I have a hard time thinking about that possibility,” Bever said, “but we can’t deny it’s true.” For now, INVAM is surviving on temporary research grants and volunteer labor. Unlike the collection’s previous home at West Virginia University, which provided institutional support for personnel, the University of Kansas covers infrastructure and overhead costs but not staffing.Liz Koziol and Terra Lubin stand amid sudan grass plants used to culture AM fungal spores in INVAM’s greenhouse at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Photograph: Ben MartynogaAnd the staff are critical. Unlike seeds stored in vaults or cells frozen indefinitely, without sustained, meticulous work, the spores of AM fungi die. At INVAM, associate curator Lubin works at a microscope to isolate and identify AM spores from intact soils. Seen through the microscope, these spores are visually stunning: glistening orbs, packed with nutrients needed to support young fungi.Lubin then paints isolated spores onto the roots of a sudan grass seedling. These host plants will grow in a sterile greenhouse for 12 weeks while fungi colonize their roots and soil. Then the plants will be water-starved, prompting the fungus to produce millions of spores, which workers harvest and store in the adjoining cold room. For every one of INVAM’s 900-plus strains, this process must be repeated annually.“The isolation and maintenance of AM fungi requires an arcane skillset,” said Bever. “There really isn’t another lab in the US that has been doing this.”Most commercial biofertilizers are ‘really just terrible’INVAM prepares small batches of AM fungal spores to distribute or sell to other researchers and land managers. But Bever is clear this isn’t a commercial operation, and INVAM has neither the capacity nor the ambition to scale up production. That matters because the commercial AM fungus market is rife with problems.In a 2024 study, Bever and colleagues tested 23 products marketed as fungal biofertilizers – AM spores alleged to boost plant growth naturally. Eighty-seven per cent failed to colonize plant roots. Many contained only dead spores or no spores at all. Some products contained known plant pathogens. A large-scale 2022 study by European researchers revealed similar failings. Bever and Koziol’s 2024 mata-analysis of global research reached the same disturbing conclusion: the majority of commercial AM fertilizers are worthless.“Unfortunately, the quality of most products available to farmers or restoration practitioners is really just terrible,” said Bever.Yet land managers are buying them. The global market for fungal biofertilizers is worth $1.29bn. Most of that money is being wasted on products that simply do not work. Bever sees two key problems: the industry lacks regulation, and most producers lack the specialized expertise needed to steward and distribute these delicate organisms effectively. Meanwhile, the public research infrastructure that could provide real solutions struggles to survive.But quality biofertilizers can be pricelessThe failure of most commercial biofertilizers stands in stark contrast to research demonstrating what these organisms can actually achieve.At a field research plot near INVAM’s base in Lawrence, Kansas, the impact of invisible fungi is obvious. Nine years ago, this was a tired old hay field, dominated by invasive grass. Today it is a riot of color and diversity. Twelve-foot prairie docks tower over head-tall grasses; grasshoppers leap and butterflies flit between late blooming flowers, even in October. This small patch has become a reincarnation of the tall-grass prairie that once dominated the central US states. It was this ecosystem that built the deep, fertile soils that made this area such a prime target for conversion to farmland – a shift that has diminished the prairie to a mere 1-4% of its original extent.AM fungi drove the transformation. In 2016, INVAM curator Koziol seeded plots with dozens of native prairie plants, plus AM spores from surviving old-growth prairie fragments. Control plots received the seeds but not the fungi. As a result, dozens of plants in the control plots failed to establish and all plants grew slowly. Nine years on, the difference between control and AM-treated plots is still clear.Modern agriculture decimates AM fungi – which is why reintroducing them can deliver such dramatic results. Fungicides used to control plant diseases seep into soils, killing AM fungi. Excessive synthetic fertilizer application causes plants to break symbiotic ties, starving fungi. Ploughing destroys their underground networks. As a result, AM fungi often vanish entirely from cultivated land, “We can barely even find the DNA [of AM fungi] in some of the soils that have been in intensive agricultural production,” said leading fungal ecologist Matthias Rillig of Freie Universität Berlin.This matters because AM fungi disperse slowly – they produce no above-ground fruiting bodies to scatter spores on the wind. As a result, reintroduction is often essential for restoration.Building on their successful prairie restoration experiments, Bever and Koziol see potential for AM fungi in establishing prairie strips – patches of deep-rooted, species-rich perennial plants within existing farm fields that boost pollinators and limit fertilizer runoff, which contaminates groundwater and creates dead zones in bodies of water.“Prairie strips are awesome,” said Bever, but he believes there’s grander potential in the Conservation Reserve Program. This federal scheme has already enlisted more than 20m acres, supporting landowners to transition marginal farmland into native grassland and woodland to improve soil health, retain water and store carbon. “The return on that investment would be much greater if there was a national policy to reinoculate with native mycorrhizal fungi,” he said.Beyond habitat restoration, and despite the current failure of most commercial fungal biofertilizers, AM fungi can be useful in mainstream agriculture. In 2016, Koziol founded MycoBloom to produce high-quality preparations of old-growth prairie fungus spores. In addition to restoration practitioners, customers report promising results in vineyards, orange orchards, and high-value organic crops such as peppers and tomatoes.The effects of AM fungi are likely to be strongest in perennial crops, including new grains like Kernza, whose roots remain in the ground long enough for stable symbiosis to establish. But evidence shows AM fungi can also boost growth of annual staples such as maize.“The benefits of mycorrhizal fungi are real,” said Bever. Yet scientists are only beginning to understand how these organisms work. Numerous research questions about AM fungi can only be answered with living libraries such as INVAM, Bever added. Why do AM fungal cells contain thousands of nuclei, for instance, when ours need just one? And how can apparently distinct species merge their cells to create hybrids? “Research on mycorrhizal fungi is totally dependent on having these fungi in culture,” Bever said.“The current administration has shifted funding away from basic science,” he added, “and while there is always a hope that private donors could fill that void, I don’t think there is a real substitute for federal investment.”Kiers, now a professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, described how visiting INVAM in the 1990s to identify spores collected from Panama’s hyper-diverse rainforests shaped her entire career: “After seeing the collection, I was hooked. It changed the way I saw the underground.”“To have any hope in leveraging fungi for future climate change strategies, restoration efforts and regenerative agriculture, we need to safeguard this collection,” Kiers said.Merlin Sheldrake, mycologist and author of Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures, agreed emphatically.“These organisms are vital ecosystem engineers that hold the key to so many problems we face,” he said. “To lose this library would be an unimaginable tragedy.”

Agriculture

Climate

CO2

Help in trying times: See how the 2025 Season of Sharing campaign is assisting Oregonians in need

The Oregonian/OregonLive’s annual fundraising campaign is making a different to seniors, at-risk youth and people experiencing homelessness.

This has been a year of financial uncertainty for many Oregonians. Consumers have continued to face challenging prices due to inflation and tariffs, and many nonprofit organizations have had to pinch pennies after seeing federal funds cut significantly or eliminated altogether in many cases.That reality makes it particularly gratifying to see Oregonians come together to support our annual Season of Sharing holiday fundraising campaign.This year’s campaign tells the stories of 14 nonprofits working to make Oregonians’ lives better in a variety of ways, ranging from groups helping seniors experiencing food insecurity and isolation to organizations helping people experiencing homelessness find stability and a way forward.Donations to the campaign, administered by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s charitable arm, Oregonian Public Benefits Inc., will be divided among the nonprofits as unrestricted grants. The Season of Sharing campaign is accepting donations, which are tax deductible, through Dec. 31. The more that comes in, the more each nonprofit will receive.Online donations can be made at oregonlive.com/sharing or the 2025 Season of Sharing Give Lively page. You can also Text the code Season2025 to 44-321.Donations can also be made by mail: Make a check out to Oregonian Media Group Season of Sharing and send it to Oregonian Season of Sharing, c/o Oregonians Credit Union, 336 N.E. 20th Ave., Portland, OR 97232.Related: Editorial: In tough times, the community is our safety net.These are the 14 nonprofit organizations featured in the 2025 Season of Sharing campaign.Kira Akito, a former foster youth, formed a long-time connection with Court Appointed Special Advocate Dick Ross, who helped Akito navigate foster placements and find independent living resources.Sami EdgeCASA of Central OregonCASA of Central Oregon advocates for children in the foster care system. They recruit and train volunteers to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) who work directly with kids, ensuring their voices are heard in court and that their needs are met. With many children waiting for advocates, CASA plays a crucial role in providing stability and support during a challenging time in children’s lives. The volunteers build meaningful relationships with these kids, helping them navigate the complexities of the foster care system and ultimately aiming to improve their futures.“Every child deserves someone who is in their court and rooting for them and getting to know them, and (to) have a consistent figure in their life during that process,” said Debbie Ross, 69 and a CASA volunteer for the last five years.Read the story.From Left: Community Supported Shelters board member Ken Beeson, co-executive director Heather Quaas-Annsa, development director Jennifer Yeh, former resident D.J. Williams and service navigation manager Mellinda Poor pose for a photograph in October 2025.Zane Sparling/The OregonianCommunity Supported SheltersCommunity Supported Shelters addresses homelessness in the Eugene area by providing innovative and supportive housing solutions. The nonprofit works to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, offering not just shelter but also resources to help them get back on their feet. Through a model that emphasizes community involvement and support, the organization engages residents in the process, helping those in need find stability and a path to a brighter future.“It’s like a stepping stool, and it makes you feel like a human,” said 45-year-old Zechariah Boesman, who lived in one of the shelters’ innovative “Conestoga Huts” at one time and now is a maintenance technician for the nonprofit. “It’s just refreshing to know that this organization takes the time and cares the way they do.”Read the story.Hezekiah Franklin was once a guest of the Daytime Drop-In Center, but now works there as a staff member.Tatum Todd/The OregonianCorvallis Drop-in CenterThe Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center has been a vital resource for homeless individuals in Benton County and surrounding areas for over 20 years, providing essential services during the day when many shelters are closed. Welcoming 60-100 guests daily, the center also reaches out to those living in tents, cars and RVs, offering support that includes mental health services, housing assistance and addiction recovery resources. The center aims to combat social exclusion and stigma, treating everyone with dignity and respect.Hezekiah Franklin, 48, knows what the center does from experience: He’s experienced homelessness in the past, and first came to the center two decades ago. Now, as part of the center’s staff, he spends his days using his own experience to help others navigate similar situations.“I’ve been on both sides of the fence,” he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “I don’t get burned out on compassion and stuff like that because like I’ve been there before.”Read the story.Kayli Duprest is the Director of Operations for the Domestic Violence Resource Center in Beaverton, Oregon.Allison Barr/The OregonianDomestic Violence Resource CenterThe Domestic Violence Resource Center is dedicated to supporting and empowering survivors of domestic violence and their children through three key programs: Advocacy & Empowerment, Counseling Services, and Housing/Shelter Services. The center offers free individual and group counseling for all ages, including specialized trauma treatment methods like art therapy. DVRC provides a confidential emergency shelter, a transitional home, and an independent housing program with rental support and case management.“To have people out there advocating for you to be safe is really special,” said Alicia, a survivor of abuse who asked that her last name not be used. “You’re not stuck. There’s a brighter light on the other side if you just take that chance.”Read the story.Profile photo of Tia Topley, of Kindred Matters, in Northeast Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Kindred Matters is a Northwest organization that funds and hosts camp opportunities for children who are in foster/state care and separated from siblingsSean Meagher/The OregonianKindred MattersKindred Matters has been reuniting foster siblings for the past 20 years through summer camps designed to strengthen their bonds. Founded by Karyn and Charley Schimmels, the organization has helped around 3,700 children in state care reconnect with their siblings, offering them a chance to share experiences and create lasting memories together. With three camp locations and activities tailored to foster those important sibling relationships, Kindred Matters makes a difference in the lives of children who often face the challenges of separation in the foster care system.Tia Topley and her brother attended one of the camps each summer for eight years, starting when she was 8. Now 29, she says the camps were a refuge from the tumult of the rest of the year and a cherished chance to see her brother, who was living in another state with relatives. “It was the most magical experience anyone could go through,” she said. “I was so happy and loved.”Read the story.Barbara Johnson in her apartment in Union Manor.Lizzy Acker/The OregonianMeals on Wheels PeopleMeals on Wheels People delivers nutritious meals to seniors and individuals in need, ensuring they have access to healthy food right at their doorstep. Beyond just providing meals, the service also offers a friendly visit from volunteers, which helps combat loneliness and fosters a sense of community among older adults. Meals on Wheels People nourishes both the body and the spirit by connecting people and creating lasting relationships. Their work is vital in helping seniors maintain their independence and quality of life.“It’s friends helping friends,” said Barbara Johnson, 75, who is one of the 11,500 people the group helped in the past year. “I don’t know where I’d be if they didn’t have such a system. I really don’t.”Read the story.Each puppet in “¡Alebrijes!” was handmade by Yosmel López Ortiz, who honed his puppetry craft over many years in Cuba before joining Milagro Theatre.Chiara ProfennaMilagro TheatreMilagro Theatre celebrates and promotes Latino arts and culture through a variety of engaging programs and performances. The group focuses on providing a platform for Latino artists, showcasing their work in theater, music and visual arts, while also offering educational opportunities for the community. Milagro aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Latino heritage, creating a space where diverse voices can be heard and celebrated.“We’re looking at how we continue to develop creativity in all aspects,” said Milagro’s founder, José Eduardo González y Salazar. “Exploring the lives and stories of Latinos, and what kind of contributions and traditions that they hold to hopefully expand the picture of what being a Latino is.”Read the story.Lauren Eads, Director of Development and Communication, and Kirsten Willis, Community Based Housing Program Coordinator, revisit a playful memory outside the New Avenues for Youth headquarters in Northwest Portland.Sean SterlingNew Avenues for YouthNew Avenues for Youth empowers homeless and at-risk youth to achieve self-sufficiency. They provide a range of services, including housing support, job training and educational programs, all designed to help young people build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.“New Avenues helps these 9- to 25-year-olds get to a next stage in life,” says Kirsten Willis, the organization’s Community Based Housing Program coordinator. “They can become survivors instead of just victims of houselessness.”Read the story.Julia Stults is swarmed with puppies as part of a visit organized by nonprofit Pile of Puppies. The then-10 year old received a puppy visit in 2019.Courtesy of Dina StultsPile of PuppiesPile of Puppies brings joy and comfort to children facing serious illnesses through the therapeutic power of puppies. By organizing visits where friendly puppies interact with these young patients, the agency creates moments of pure happiness. These furry companions not only provide emotional support but also help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing children to momentarily forget their worries and focus on the joy of play. Each wagging tail and playful bark fosters a sense of connection and love, reminding these kids that they are not alone in their journey.“Having chronic illness as a kid, there are so many downsides,” said Julia Stults, 16, who got a Pile of Puppies visit when she was 10. “It’s those little, tiny special things that are like, ‘Yeah, having (ulcerative colitis) sucks, but then I wouldn’t get all the puppies.’”Read the story.Paid interns stock merchandise inside Project Lemonade at the Lloyd Center mall. The store provides a free shopping experience for youth in foster care.Samantha Swindler/ The OregonianProject LemonadeProject Lemonade provides support and resources to youth in foster care, helping them navigate the challenges they face. One of the nonprofit’s standout initiatives is an unusual store at Lloyd Center where foster kids can shop for new clothes and school supplies, all at no cost to them. Project Lemonade not only ensures that these kids have the essentials they need for school but also helps them feel valued and supported.“So much of their life is doing something that makes them feel different,” said Lindsey McDonnell, Project Lemonade’s executive director. “It’s a very isolating experience to be in foster care, so we want this to feel like the kind of thing that any other kid would do.”Read the story.Chelsey Passon, Safety Compass Manager of Communications, poses for a portrait outside of the organization’s office at the Family Resource Center in Woodburn.Abigail Landwehr/The OregonianSafety CompassSafety Compass promotes safety and well-being for survivors of human trafficking. The organization provides comprehensive training and resources that emphasize personal safety, emergency preparedness and self-advocacy, empowering individuals to navigate their environments with confidence. By addressing the unique vulnerabilities survivors face, Safety Compass offers support and education that helps them build a safer future.“It’s such a beautiful thing to watch this survivor go from like … ‘There’s nothing out there’ to like that spark of ‘Actually maybe there’s another option’ to five to 10 years down the road where their life is completely changed,” said Chelsey Passon, a trafficking survivor who is now the communications manager for the organization. “It’s truly a privilege to be able to hear someone’s story and witness it and to be able to sit there and say, ‘Hey … you don’t have to navigate this alone.’”Read the story.Kassandra Ball, walking in Ashland's Lithia Park on Nov. 9, is an English and Spanish speaker from Laredo, Texas, with a master's degree from Oregon Health & Science University, who sees patients at La Clinica's Central Point Health Center.Bob Palermini, www.palermini.comSouthern Oregon Alliance of PhysiciansThe Southern Oregon Alliance of Physicians is a dedicated group of healthcare professionals committed to improving the health and well-being of communities in southern Oregon. The alliance focuses on fostering collaboration among physicians and healthcare providers to enhance patient care and address local health challenges. By working together, they aim to share resources, knowledge and best practices, ensuring that everyone in the region has access to quality healthcare.Dan Weiner, a family medicine physician and chief medical officer of Rogue Community Health’s five clinics, helped found SOAPP and continues to volunteer. “We believe access to high quality healthcare is a big component of a thriving community,” Weiner said, “and SOAPP allows us to partner with others who share that vision.”Read the story.Students from four different elementary schools in the Canby School District partake in the High Dose Tutoring offered by Todos Juntos.Yesenia Amaro | The Oregonian/OregonLiveTodos JuntosTodos Juntos strengthens families and communities by offering a variety of support programs aimed at empowering youth and families. The nonprofit’s mission focuses on creating connections that inspire and educate, like the new initiative High Dose Tutoring, offered free of charge for students recommended by four schools in the Canby School District.“Our focus is to increase their reading comprehension because a lot of them are struggling,” said Fatima López, community liaison for Todos Juntos at the Canby School District, where programming is focused on children in second and third grade. “Those two grades just make more sense because those are the ones that need a little bit more support.”Read the story.Deborah Marion picks up her CSA share at Zenger Farm in southeast Portland with her three kids, who enjoy the fall bounty from the nonprofit urban farm. Jamie Hale/The OregonianZenger FarmZenger Farm is an urban farm dedicated to making good food accessible to everyone while promoting sustainable practices and community development. The farm’s mission revolves around educating the public about food systems and environmental stewardship. And the farm offers a community-supported agriculture program the allows people to buy produce directly from farms with monthly payments for “shares” of the crop.“It’s not just my kids taking their space,” said Deborah Marion, who has been a member of the farm’s CSA for about a decade. “The farmers are so kind and welcoming to them and make them feel this sense of home and belonging here.”Read the story.

Agriculture

Culture

Education

Brown bears in central Italy are becoming less aggressive

As Apennine brown bears learned to co-exist with humans in central Italy, they evolved to become smaller and less aggressive, according to a new DNA study. The post Brown bears in central Italy are becoming less aggressive first appeared on EarthSky.

According to a new study, Apennine brown bears have become less aggressive and smaller in size after a long history of close proximity to humans. Image via Marco Tersigni/ Wikipedia (CC BY 2.0). Brown bears in central Italy are becoming less aggressive For generations, brown bears in central Italy have adjusted their behavior to survive in a landscape increasingly dominated by humans. Now, an international team of researchers led by the University of Ferrara has revealed that living in close quarters with villages and human activity has led to genetic changes in the bears. They said on December 15, 2025, that the brown bears today are less aggressive and physically smaller than their ancestors. The DNA studies also show that this isolated and endangered population of bears has less diversity in its genetic makeup and higher rates of inbreeding. The scientists published their peer-reviewed study in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution on December 15, 2025. The research focuses on Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus), which live exclusively in central Italy. Apennine brown bears shaped by history The Apennine brown bears form a small and isolated population with a long history of close proximity to human communities. Previous research indicates this population split from other European brown bears between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago. And it has remained isolated since Roman times. Over the centuries, human presence has had a direct impact on the habitat of these bears. The expansion of agriculture, forest clearing and the growth of settlements reduced and fragmented forests. This limited the available space for bears, affecting their ability to find food and reproduce. According to the authors, these landscape transformations were decisive in shaping the population’s history of isolation. Co-lead author Andrea Benazzo of the University of Ferrara said: One of the main factors driving isolation and decline was probably deforestation associated with the expansion of agriculture and increasing human density in central Italy. Apennine brown bears became isolated following human expansion. Consequently, their genetic diversity has reduced and rate of inbreeding has increased. Image via Bruno D’Amicis/ Molecular Biology and Evolution/ EurekAlert! A look at the bears’ DNA To understand how the bears changed over time, researchers analyzed their DNA: the set of genetic instructions that influence body development and certain behaviors. To do this, the team created a high-quality “reference genome” for the Apennine brown bear. It serves as a detailed map of its genetic material. Plus, it allows researchers to detect differences between individuals and populations. So scientists sequenced the DNA of several bears from this population and compared it with DNA from a much larger population of brown bears in Slovakia. They also compared the Italian bears’ DNA with previously published genomes from North American bears. This comparison made it possible to identify recent genetic changes and distinguish which traits are unique to Apennine brown bears. Genomic analyses show that – due to their isolation and small population size – Apennine brown bears exhibit high levels of inbreeding. Consequently, they have less genetic diversity, in contrast to other brown bear populations. Inbreeding occurs when related individuals reproduce with one another, a common situation in small and isolated populations. Unfortunately, inbreeding can increase the risk of health problems and reduce the ability to adapt to environmental changes. Human pressure as an adaptive force For generations, human presence in the Apennine forests exerted lethal pressure on the bear population. Larger and more aggressive individuals were more likely to come into conflict with people. So they were more frequently hunted or eliminated. Over time, this selective hunting drastically reduced the presence of such bears, favoring the survival and reproduction of smaller, less aggressive individuals. And so it resulted in a population with distinctive physical and behavioral traits. The study detected clear signs of selection in genes related to behavior, indicating that this systematic removal left a genetic imprint. According to co-lead author Giulia Fabbri of the University of Ferrara: The removal or displacement of more aggressive bears by humans likely drove the emergence of less conflict-prone individuals, reflecting how human interaction can shape the behavior of a species. Throughout their history, the larger, more aggressive bears were the targets of hunters. Thus, these bears evolved to be smaller and less aggressive. And over time, the Apennine bear population has exhibited distinctive physical and behavioral traits. Image via Mykola Pokalyuk/ Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Conserving a genetically unique population The study shows human presence had contrasting effects on Apennine bears. On the one hand, human pressure favored traits that reduce conflict with people, such as less aggressive behavior and smaller body size. On the other hand, the population experienced a demographic decline and genetic erosion, increasing its vulnerability to extinction. The researchers emphasize that populations heavily affected by human activities still harbor unique genetic variants that deserve protection. Giorgio Bertorelle, professor of genetics at the University of Ferrara, explained: Even populations that have been strongly affected by human activities may harbor unique genetic variants that should be protected, for example by avoiding their dilution through the introduction of individuals from other regions. These genetic adaptations are valuable and should be taken into account when planning conservation strategies to preserve the population’s genetic identity. Apennine brown bears at risk of isolation and inbreeding At the same time, the population also faces risks stemming from its isolation and small size, particularly inbreeding. Reproduction between related individuals can increase the expression of harmful recessive genes. And that reduces the overall health and adaptive capacity in Apennine brown bears. In this sense, inbreeding is an important factor to consider when assessing the population’s long-term viability. However, the authors note that in populations that have remained small for long periods, some highly deleterious mutations might have been eliminated by natural selection, which does not remove the risk but does moderate its impact. This case illustrates one of the classic dilemmas of conservation biology: whether to intervene to increase genetic variability and reduce the risks of inbreeding, or to preserve a genetically singular population that has developed unique adaptations to its environment. Neither option is risk-free, and conservation decisions must balance long-term genetic health with the preservation of an irreplaceable evolutionary identity. Isolation increases inbreeding risk in Apennine brown bears, potentially reducing population health. This presents conservationists a difficult choice between genetic rescue and preserving a unique lineage. Image via Leonio/ Wikipedia (CC BY 3.0). Bottom line: As Apennine brown bears learned to co-exist with humans in central Italy, they evolved to become smaller and less aggressive, according to a new DNA study. Source: Molecular Biology and Evolution: Coexisting With Humans: Genomic and Behavioral Consequences in a Small and Isolated Bear Population Via EurekAlert! Read more: Polar bears have unique ice-repelling furThe post Brown bears in central Italy are becoming less aggressive first appeared on EarthSky.

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‘Earth To Beer’: Oregon, US breweries join project to brew a beer with environment in mind

Mayfly buzzing at 5 years old

Best of Craft Beer Awards held

Sports Bra snub not appreciated

Beer of the Week

What to do, what to do?

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Our Biggest Farming Stories of&nbsp;2025

Defunding fungi: US’s living library of ‘vital ecosystem engineers’ is in danger of closing

Help in trying times: See how the 2025 Season of Sharing campaign is assisting Oregonians in need

Brown bears in central Italy are becoming less aggressive

Suggested Viewing

Toxic Business

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Modern Nature

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