48 neglected horses found at farm


By Oregon Family Farm Association,

An elderly woman who owns a horse farm near Carlton faces a felony animal neglect charge after the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office discovered 48 horses that were not given enough food or water.

Investigators probed the condition of the horses following a report that water Sliver Oaks Saddlebred farm had been turned off for failure to pay the bill. Owner Susan Swango, 82, faces one count of second-degree animal neglect, a felony because of the number of animals involved, according to the Associated Press.

Ruling blocks barn remodeling


By Oregon Family Farm Association,

A landowner in Clackamas County who wants to renovate his barn into a venue for weddings, banquets, and dances has stretched the definition of a home-based business, according to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.

It sided with 1000 Friends of Oregon in determining that Mark Herkamp has exceeded his county-issued conditional use permit in remodeling the barn on his 12.5 acres in an area south of Oregon City designated for “exclusive farm use,” according to the Capital Press.

Farm animal rescues during the wildfires


By Oregon Family Farm Association,

As residents scramble to pack belongings and flee their homes, volunteers across Oregon have evacuated hundreds of horses and other livestock endangered by wildfires.

Megan Spalding said the Canyon Riders Rodeo Drill Team in Salem said has transported horses from regions under Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notices as they weren’t allowed in under Level 3 evacuation orders. The team has evacuated 40 horses from Lyons and moved another 50 horses to Yamhill. Spalding said nine horses taken into the team’s barn east of Salem might need to be evacuated as flames drew closer.