SALEM, Ore., May 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Oregon
winemaker Jim Bernau urged
Oregon lawmakers today to use part
of the state's historic windfall in tax revenues for Oregon State University's agriculture
programs.
Bernau is the Founder and CEO of one of Oregon's leading wineries, Willamette Valley
Vineyards (WVVI), with winery and vineyard operations in various
parts of Oregon.
"OSU's Agriculture Experiment Station and Extension Service
funding has suffered from a decade of decline," Bernau said.
"Inflation has reduced program levels by more than 20%."
SB 257, sponsored by Senator Arnie
Roblan (D-Coos Bay), will
provide $30 million to these programs
restoring them from a decade of decline due to inflation. Bernau
noted this effort has bipartisan support from bill sponsors Senator
Hansell (R-Athena), Representative
McKeown (D- Coos Bay) and
Representative Boles (R- Salem),
among others.
"With funding increases of only one to one and a half percent
annually over the last ten years, these research and teaching
programs including Fermentation Science, need this restorative
funding and now is the time," Bernau noted.
Bernau's personal gift to OSU started the Fermentation Science
program in 1995.
"OSU's Fermentation Sciences Program is the most comprehensive
in the country offering a research and teaching winery, brewery and
distillery," Bernau continued. "Every $1 in agricultural research leads to $10 in economic benefit."
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SOURCE Willamette Valley Vineyards