You live in Oregon, and this is where you’re doing business – so you totally get how our state’s economic wellbeing is tied to forests. So let us introduced you to Darius Adams.
He joined the OSU College of Forestry faculty in 1974 and remained active in forest economics teaching and research until 2009 – and the forecasting models created by Adams and his colleagues changed how businesses, economists, policymakers and scientists think about forests.
Adams’ models combine biological, statistical, mathematical and technological knowledge with neoclassical economic theory for the benefit of both the public and private sectors.
And now, Adams’s work just scored him some serious prestige awards cred. He will be one of three researchers sharing this year’s international Marcus Wallenberg Prize.
The annual prize, one of the highest honors in the field of forestry, was announced last month in Sweden. The award is named for the late Marcus Wallenberg Jr., a banker, industrialist and member of Sweden’s long-influential Wallenberg family.
The models, known as TAMM and PAPYRUS, can be applied to analyze the impact of multiple factors including trade regulations, climate mitigation measures, carbon pricing, forest protection measures, energy supply subsidies, new biorefinery products and climate change.
“We didn’t have to approximate the effects of a policy change – the elements critical to policy action were built into the model and could be directly manipulated in a projection of the future,” Adams said. “For example, separately modeling industrial and nonindustrial forest inventories and harvest decisions allowed us to look at the different effects of, say, subsidies for planting or higher desired rates of return on capital in industrial ownerships.”
TAMM and PAPYRUS eventually became the foundation of forest sector modeling based on neoclassical economic theory and are the basis for numerous global, national and regional models, including the widely used Global Forest Products Model.
“Global forests and the industry continue to face new demands and challenges under a changing climate and new governance conditions,” said Johanna Buchert, who chaired the Marcus Wallenberg Prize selection committee. “The further development of forest and forest sector modeling and continuing on the legacy of this year’s laureates will become increasingly important to guide policy making at different levels and to sustain an intelligent and sustainable development of forestry and forest industries.”
“We never shied away from adding more detail, which is quite unlike the attitude of many other economic modelers, since we felt it made the output more useful,” Adams said.
Adams and co-honorees Joseph Buongiorno of the University of Wisconsin and Richard Haynes of the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station will share 2.5 million kronor, about $242,700, when they are presented with the prize in October in Stockholm by Swedish King Carl Gustav XVI.
Benton County’s March Employment Numbers: Benton County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in March, down from its revised rate of 3.8% in February. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in March was 4.4%, down from its revised February rate of 4.7%.
Benton County’s employment gains in March were more than normal; total nonfarm employment increased by 300 jobs, when an employment increase of 160 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment increased 140 jobs between February and March.
Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is now up 2.8% from the level in February 2020, 1,230 jobs above its pre-pandemic level. Over the past year Benton County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is up 2,420 jobs or 5.6%.
The private sector overall shed 30 jobs over the month. The losses were focused in trade, transportation, and utilities, which declined 140 jobs. The public sector added 330 jobs in March. Federal government employment was unchanged. Local government education employment added 330 in March.
Oregon’s Family Agribusiness Estate Taxes: Of the 12 states that have some form of estate tax, Oregon’s $1 million exemption level is the lowest. Washington exempts $2 million with an index for inflation. But reform is being considered.
The Senate Finance and Revenue Committee has had hearings on SB 498, which would exempt natural resource-based family businesses (i.e., farms, woodlots, commercial fishing boats) from Oregon’s estate tax. Amendments were introduced that would allow full exemption for these family operations if the business was held by the family for at least five years following the death of the principal.
Scott Bruun, a member of the policy team at the Oregon Business & Industry association testified in support of the bill and the amendments. Whether it is this or another bill, OBI believes the estate tax modifications may be taken up following the state’s May 17 revenue forecast.
Warehouses and Fulfillment Centers: HB 3568, which would broadly limit the use of quotas and performance metrics in many industries in Oregon, was heard by the House Committee on Rules on April 18. Though no subsequent hearing or committee vote is currently scheduled, it is in the House Committee on Rules, so it could be scheduled for a vote at any time.
And now, here’s your business events calendar….
OSU’s Business Grad Programs: This virtual session reviews the application process, offering tips and suggestions so you can make sure you are submitting the best possible application to MBA, MSB, or Graduate Certificate Programs at Oregon State University. They recommend (but do not require) that you attend an Information Session before attending an Application Workshop
12 to 1 pm, Wednesday, May 3. Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
OSU’s Virtual MBA Program Application Workshop: This virtual session reviews the application process, offering tips and suggestions so you can make sure you are submitting the best possible application to MBA, MSB, or Graduate Certificate Programs at Oregon State University. They recommend (but do not require) that you attend an Information Session before attending an Application Workshop.
5:30 to 6:30 pm, Wednesday, May 3. Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
Chamber Webpage Webinar: Are you maximizing your Chamber membership? Each Chamber member gets a complimentary web page with their Chamber membership. This online training covers how to access this benefit, and how to get the most from it. The class will take approximately 30 minutes. Following the presentation members will have an opportunity to ask questions about this program and specifics on how to use the automation.
5 pm, Wednesday, May 3. Click here for more information and for access.
Going Into Business Workshop: Free class from Small Business Development Center at LBCC. In just one session, you’ll get all the basic information you will need to begin planning your successful business. Rules, regulations, financing, customers, markets, and feasibility will all be discussed in this one seminar.
6:30 to 7:20 pm, Tuesday, May 9. Virtual, click here to register.
Susan Sokol Blosser, Family Business 360: Sokol Blosser Winery’s founder gives a talk tilted “Letting Go and Giving Back” She is a leader in Oregon’s wind industry, and she will discuss her decision to pass the business along to her children at the height of her career in order to focus on other ways that she could impact her community for good. Hosted by the OSU College of Business Center for Family Enterprise.
8:30 to 9:30 am, Wednesday, May 10. Virtual, click here for more info and to attend.
Farm Industry Suicide Prevention: QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is an evidence-based suicide prevention program where participants are empowered to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Similar to CPR, QPR provides lifesaving knowledge and skills to help someone in crisis.
This particular workshop is for farmers and their business contacts. The suicide rate among farmers is higher than for most lines of work. Who should attend:
- Bankers or financial counselors
- Veterinarians
- Farm equipment and supply outlets, pesticide/chemical salespersons
- Those who know, love and care for farmers….family and friends
- Medical providers, including dentists
3:30 to 5 pm, Wednesday, May 10. Virtual event, click here to attend.
Recruitment & Retention: Address staffing shortages by learning strategies for finding and keeping great employees. This series will cover the job posting, screening, interviewing and selection processes followed by an overview of employee engagement and retention strategies. Participants will receive a 30-minute individual advising session upon completion of the series. Offered by the Small Business Development Center at LBCC.
6 to 7:30 pm, Thursday, May 11. Virtual, click here to attend.
Grad Business Programs: This virtual session introduces the Graduate Business Programs at Oregon State University. In this online session they will cover graduate program options in the College of Business, including the MBA, Master’s, and Graduate Certificates programs. They will also introduce the curriculum, program tracks, admission and financial aid, and what sets Oregon State apart from other programs. Oregon State University offers graduate business programs in Portland, Corvallis, and online.
12 to 1 pm, Thursday, May 11. Click here to register.
5:30 to 6:30 pm, Thursday, May 11. Click here to register.
Women in Business: Allison Lamplugh is founder of a Corvallis based marketing agency, Lamplight Creatives. In just a few short years, Lamplugh has assembled a team of professionals and become a full charge agency, which is not easy to find in community like Corvallis.
12 to 1 pm, Wednesday, May 17 at Courtyard Marriott, 400 SW 1st Street, Corvallis. Click here to register.
Brown Bag Event for Small Business Owners: Titled Five Reasons You Can’t Find a Good Bookkeeper….and what to do about it. Bring your lunch and learn from the accounting team at Brass Jacks cofounders: Jackie Shaw, CTO and Educator, and Jackie Rockwell and CEO, Business Coach.
12 to 1:30 pm, Wednesday, May 17 at the Chamber of Commerce office, 420 NW 2nd Street
Corvallis. Click here to register.
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