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.