Oregon

In Oregon, corn is on the menu more — thanks in part to culture and climate change

Published

11 months ago

June 23, 2023

In Oregon, corn is on the menu more — thanks in part to culture and climate change

In the U.S., corn is ubiquitous. It’s the most-grown crop in the country. Corn products line several grocery aisles: on the cob or kernels in a can, popcorn, chips, cereals, bread mixes for baking — the list could go on and on.

When Americans think of states that grow corn, Oregon very likely isn’t the first to come to mind. Iowa is bar none the country’s corn leader.

Crops usually more associated with Oregon are crab, wine and truffles — but corn is a top food product grown in Oregon, bringing more money to the state than crab. On the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s list of the top 20 most valuable agricultural commodities in the state as of April, corn grain is 15th at $80.5 million. (Meanwhile, Dungeness crab is 18th at $67.1 million).

In 2023, Oregon farmers are expected to plant 85,000 acres of corn — 13% more than last year. In comparison, wheat farming in Oregon trumps corn by a landslide, with nearly nine times the acreage. But land for wheat in the state is only expected to grow 3% this year.

As Oregon changes, both in population and from warming temperatures, corn is becoming a more important food.

A fried feat

It’s what Oregonians do with corn that makes it special here. The state lays claim to one of the most iconic corn products of modern times: The corn dog was invented on the Oregon Coast.

It was Labor Day 1939 when a Rockaway Beach hot dog vendor named George Boyington had an idea: What if instead of buns, batter could be cooked on demand?

He developed a delicious “pronto” solution, and the snack on a stick became a national hit.

The Original Pronto Pup, as seen from Highway 101 in Rockaway Beach, Ore., on April 15, 2022.

Arya Surowidjojo / OPB

The Original Pronto Pup first opened in 2016, as an homage to the culinary creation invented in town roughly eight decades earlier.

“It’s actually pretty amazing when you realize how big of a following Pronto Pups have,” said Diane Langer, who bought The Original Pronto Pup with her husband in late 2021. “And when people come in and they say, “We drove three hours to come and have a Pronto Pup.” Or, “We came from Idaho.” Or, “We came from Michigan.”

A woman inserts a hotdog onto a wooden stick in a kitchen. — Diane Langer inserts a hotdog onto a wooden stick, which will be dipped and batter and fried when an order comes in at The Original Pronto Pup, April 15, 2022.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

A classic American concession was first fried in Oregon: the corn dog

The corn dog has company in Oregon’s contributions to fried food: The state is also the birthplace of tater tots. As iconic as it is, the corn dog plays only a small role in the story of corn in Oregon.

Corn is cultural

Staff make tortillas at Three Sisters Nixtamal in Portland, Ore., July 20, 2022.
*Jenna Deml / OPB*

At Three Sisters Nixtamal in Southeast Portland, workers at the women-led business make thousands of tortillas each weekday morning in a traditional way — like generations have before them. Adriana Azcárate-Ferbel and Wendy Downing are the co-founders and co-owners of the business, along with Adriana’s husband Pedro Ferbel-Azcárate.

Three Sisters Nixtamal co-owners Wendy Downing, left, and Adriana Azcárate-Ferbel.
*Jenna Deml / OPB*

“The three sisters are a reference to the Indigenous way of growing corn, beans, and squash together, and the way they sustain each other and work together and create something greater with the three of them,” said Downing.

Corn as we know it wouldn’t exist without humans — it did not evolve naturally. In the region now known as Mesoamerica, people cultivated corn, also known as maize, from a wild grass called teosinte, which means “mother of corn” in the Nahuatl language.

The transformation of teosinte at the hands of Native peoples started corn’s path to becoming a modern, global superfood. Corn as it exists today should be heralded as one of the first successes of human ingenuity.

The artistry of corn husk baskets

Employees at Three Sisters Nixtamal carry on an ancient and all-natural process invented by Indigenous Mesoamericans called nixtamalization.

Three Sisters Nixtamal Kitchen Coordinator Blanca Luján pours corn into nixtamalization tanks in Portland, Ore., on July 20, 2022.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*
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“When you nixtamalize the corn, it slowly dissolves the outer seed coat in the alkalinity of the limestone. We bring the corn up to a boil. … Then we turn the heat off and allow it to steep,” Ferbel-Azcárate said. “In the morning, we just wash away the lime water, … and it’s ready to be ground into fresh corn masa. …

“The cool thing about all this machinery is that it’s really just replicating the original tools that we’ve used for thousands of years,” he added.

Making tortillas the traditional way is a major ingredient in Three Sisters Nixtamal’s effort to honor Native cultivation. “People think of tortillas from an industrialized point, not from a cultural, deep-rooted point,” explained Azcárate-Ferbel.

Freshly made green tortillas coming hot off the production line at Three Sisters Nixtamal in Portland, Ore., on July 20, 2022.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

Down at Xicha Brewing in Salem, corn is all over the menu with nods to traditions as well.

Spelled without the stylized X, chicha was the first fermented beverage of the Americas — and it’s made from corn. Taking a page out of historic recipe books, the brewery’s Chela beer is brewed with flaked corn.

“I’m really excited to see, as corn continues to make such a big impact in the culinary world, that there ought to be more corn available for brewing as well,” said Matt Dakopolos, Xicha’s brewer.

A man fills a large metal container used for brewing beer with the contents of a bag of flaked corn. — Matt Dakopolos, Xicha Brewing’s brewer, starts a batch of the Chela beer, which is made with flaked corn. This image was captured from video footage.
*Brandon Swanson / OPB*

When Xicha opened in 2017, it became the first Latine-owned brewery in Oregon. It’s since opened two more locations — another in Salem and one in Eugene.

Xicha’s expansion reflects Oregon’s changing population: Hispanic residents are the fastest-growing ethnic demographic in the state. According to the 2020 census, about 14% of Oregonians identify as Hispanic or Latino.

“Salem has just recently gone through this transformation that more and more diversity’s happening. Luckily, we’re kind of at the forefront of it,” said Ricardo Antúnez, chef and co-owner of Xicha Brewing.

Two men standing behind a bar smile and look at the camera, each holding a pint of beer. — Ricardo Antúnez (left) and Matt Dakopolos cheer with pints of Xicha Brewing beer behind the bar at the brewery’s original location in Salem on July 25, 2022.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

Growing corn in a drier climate

As Oregon’s population changes, so does the state’s climate.

Green corn harvested at an Oregon State University experimental plot at Myrtle Creek Farm in Myrtle Creek, Ore., Oct. 3, 2022.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

Lucas Nebert, a sustainable agriculture researcher, has spent years studying the farming of corn and other crops in Oregon. His emphasis is in dryland farming — figuring out how to farm with less water, in drier conditions.

He’s not worried about corn going away any time soon.

“Corn is so versatile, it’s adapted to the jungles, it is adapted to the Saskatchewan region in Canada, and everywhere in between — it’s a very adaptable crop. And not only in terms of the climate it adapts to, but also whatever culinary values that people place on it and see in it, corn can adapt that way,” said Nebert.

Oregon State University dry farming researcher Lucas Nebert.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

While most corn in the U.S. goes into animal feed, high-fructose corn syrup and ethanol, the grain’s cultural ties can drive farming, too — the Oaxacan green corn grown by Nebert and others at Myrtle Creek Farm is made into tortillas at Three Sisters Nixtamal.

Nebert points to a big use of corn: “It really has a lot to give in particular to Latinx cuisine. There’s a growing Latinx community in Oregon.”

As research mounts and farming techniques are honed, corn is poised to become an even larger force in Oregon agriculture.

Farmers, educators and gardeners aim to boost dry farming in Oregon

Celebrating corn

On a sunny day last August, the vibe at the Aumsville Corn Festival was undeniably Americana. Which makes sense for an event dedicated to the foundational crop of the Americas.

A corn mascot and a young child share a high five at the annual Aumsville Corn Festival on Aug. 20, 2022. This image was captured from video footage.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

After a parade in the downtown core, featuring corn costumes and vehicles decorated with stalks, volunteers slung tons of cobs with melted butter for the masses.

Later, rowdy crowds cheered on children and adults who competed in speed corn-eating races. Scenes will likely be similar at this year’s festival, the 55th, on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Corn may be the most American food, but as the state’s people and climate change, it will increasingly become an Oregon food, as well.

Cobs of corn in large pile. — Oregon-grown corn is piled high at the annual Aumsville Corn Festival on Aug. 20, 2022. This image was captured from video footage.
*Arya Surowidjojo / OPB*

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Oregon

‘They are stunt kings’: 36th Annual Oregon International Airshow kicks off

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

‘They are stunt kings’: 36th Annual Oregon International Airshow kicks off

HILLSBORO Ore. (KPTV) – Oregon’s 36th annual international air show kicked off Friday night in Hillsboro and hundreds of people showed up for the occasion!

For people who show up every year, including Chris Roman, he said it never gets old.

“You know, it’s like a birthday. It’s not quite the same every year but it’s still fun each and every year. There’s always something different and there’s always different stories you hear about the pilots so it’s a great time,” Roman said.

SEE ALSO:

Community members got the chance to sound off on a proposed rate hike by Portland General Electric Thursday night.

The show features the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Rhino demonstration teams which will both fly heritage flights with the P-51 Val-Halla and F6F Hellcat.

People who attended the event also got to see the F-15 Strike Eagles of the 366th Fighter Wing, the Air Force’s C-17 and KC-135 demonstration teams.

“These guys are acrobats, and they are stunt kings,” Perry Manns said.

Some planes even brought back memories for some, including Teresa Busch.

SEE ALSO:

Along with the K9 Trials will be a community fair where you can pick up some free doggie treats made by a special group of local kids.

“I brought my dad the last year, prior to this passing. He was a World War II vet and Korean war vet, and they treated him like royalty,” Busch said.

Another attendee said seeing the planes up close and personal made him regret his own career decision.

“Oh my God…I should’ve joined the Air Force, instead of the Coast Guard,” Perry Manns laughed.

The 2024 Oregon International Air Show will take the skies from May 17-19 at the Hillsboro Municipal Airport at 3355 NE Cornell Rd., Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Tickets can be found here.

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Oregon

Oregon man charged with murder in suspicious deaths of 3 women in 'complex' case: DA

Published

10 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Press Room

Oregon man charged with murder in suspicious deaths of 3 women in 'complex' case: DA

An Oregon man has been charged in the murders of three women who were found dead under “suspicious circumstances” last year, officials announced Friday.

Authorities have identified one suspect in the deaths of the three women – Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32 – the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

Bridget Leanne Webster, Charity Lynn Perry, and Joanna Speaks.

Multnomah County DA/Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Jesse Lee Calhoun, 39, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of second-degree abuse of a corpse in connection with the women’s deaths, the district attorney’s office said, after a grand jury returned the six-count indictment on Thursday.

At a press briefing Friday, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt called the case “complex,” and said it required a “significant investigation” involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

“There’s still more work to be done, investigations are ongoing,” Schmidt said.

Calhoun has been in custody at Snake River Correctional Institution since July 2023 for unrelated charges and was scheduled to be released next month, online Oregon Department of Corrections records show. He is expected to be transferred to the custody of Multnomah County authorities for arraignment, prosecutors said. It is unclear if Calhoun has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

Multnomah County authorities, citing the ongoing investigation, released few details about the case, including what alleged evidence led them to the suspect and how the women died.

Speaks’ body was found at an abandoned property in Ridgefield, Washington, on April 8, 2023, authorities said. Police in Portland, Oregon, said in November 2023 that the homicide was believed to have happened in Portland.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in July 2023 that they were investigating whether the deaths of four women – including Perry and Webster – who were found dead throughout Oregon were related. The announcement came weeks after Portland police spoke out against online speculation regarding a possible serial killer in the Pacific Northwest.

PHOTO: This undated photo provided by the Oregon Department of Corrections show Jesse Lee Calhoun, who has been under investigation in the deaths of four women whose bodies were found scattered across northwest Oregon last year. — This undated photo provided by the Oregon Department of Corrections show Jesse Lee Calhoun, who has been under investigation in the deaths of four women whose bodies were found scattered across northwest Oregon last year.
Oregon Department of Corrections via AP

Perry’s body was found in a culvert near Ainsworth State Park in east Multnomah County on April 24, 2023, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon said Webster’s body was found six days later, on April 30, 2023.

Perry’s mother, Diana Allen, told reporters Friday that it’s been “very, very frustrating” for the families of the victims not to have answers amid the ongoing investigation, but that she has had respect for the district attorney office’s process.

“Even though they wouldn’t give me the answers, I knew they had answers,” she said.

The deaths of two other women – Kristin Smith and Ashley Real, both 22 – initially believed to have been linked, remain under investigation, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.

The body of Smith, who was reported missing in December 2022, was found on Feb. 19, 2023, in a wooded area in Portland, police said. Real’s body was found in a wooded area in Clackamas County in Oregon in May 2023, a month after she was reported missing to Portland police, authorities said.

“We keep waiting, we keep praying and stay hopeful,” Melissa Smith, Kristin Smith’s mother, said during Friday’s press briefing. “We stay hopeful that we soon can get justice for them as well.”

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Oregon

Arizona drops opening game of Oregon State series | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com

Published

17 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Press Room

Arizona drops opening game of Oregon State series | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com

Arizona’s second largest crowd of 4,600 (second largest of the year)watching the Wildcats in their 9-2 loss to Oregon State. (Arizona Athletics photo)

No. 14 Arizona (32-19, 19-9) opened their three game series at Hi Corbett Field against No. 6 Oregon State a game and a half ahead of the Beavers in the race for the final Pac-12 regular season championship.

By the end of Thursday night, that lead dwindled to a half-game as the Beavers(40-12, 18-9) used a five-run third inning to defeat the Wildcats 9-2 in the series opener.

“There was not a facet of the game I thought we did very well at all,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said.

Aiden May, Oregon States starting pitcher, happens to be a familiar face for Arizona. The right hander transferred to Oregon State after spending the previous year with the Wildcats.

May pitched 7 innings, had 7 strikes, allowing 6 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) to improve to 6-0 on the season.

Jackson Kent, Arizona’s starting pitcher, opened the game with a strike out of Oregon States lead-off batter and No.2 draft prospect Travis Bazzana on a 96-mph fastball.

Kent pitched two solid innings before the Beavers opened the dam in the third inning including two 2 RBI homers one by designated hitter Gavin Turley and the other by right fielder Brady Kasper.

“First inning he looked dynamite, 95.. his breaking ball was snapping, just ran into a buzz saw there, they did a great job. Haven’t had many of those starts obviously all year he’s been great.” Said Hale.

Arizona, already skinny in the outfield position, with Easton Breyfogle (hamstring) day-to-day and TJ Adams (shoulder) out indefinitely, lost another one when right fielder Emilio Corona was hit in the hand while up to bat in the second inning.

Corona, in obvious pain, took the field in the third and fourth inning before getting pulled.

“The way it got so swollen so quick, it’s not good,” Hale said about Corona’s hand.

With Corona out, pitcher Casey Hintz may see some time in the outfield in Friday’s game.

Arizona’s first run came in the third inning when Brandon Rogers hit a single to the right side. A fielding error by Oregon State’s right fielder Brady allowed Rogers to show his speed, ending up safe at third base.

Richie Morales’ ground out brought Rogers across the plate.

The Wildcats’ second and final score of the night came in the eight inning. Freshman first baseman Andrew Cain doubled down the first base line and Morales hit into a double play, advanced Cain home.

Arizona, needing one win against Oregon State to secure the Pac-12 regular season championship, will start Clark Candiotti on the mound Friday night.

Game two in the series will start at 6:00 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field.