Russian thistle thrives in the dry climate of eastern Oregon and Washington and if left unchecked develops an extensive root system that competes with wheat for water and nutrients.
The Military Veterans Farmer Network is a program of Oregon State University Extension Service meant to connect military veterans engaged in or interested in farming.
Called a soft catch system, the mechanism boasts a soft surface for catching the delicate berries in contrast to the hard polycarbonate surface of traditional over-the-row machines.
Farm loops are an excellent means to draw customers to a farm and educate an urban audience that is often three and four generations removed from agriculture.