The Agricultural Executive Council will be hosting an Ethics Panel Discussion on November 15, which will teach students how to handle conflicts in the work place. Everyone has their own core values, as well as co-workers, supervisors, CEO’s, and the company itself, but how do you handle a project or assignment that conflicts with every individual’s values? Four influential members of the agricultural industry including Geo VanLeeuwen, Liz VanLeeuwen, Craig Christopherson, and Greg Satrum will be speaking about these issues in the work environment at 7:00 p.m. is Strand 323. This event in mandatory for two club representatives to attend, but all students within the College of Agricultural Sciences are welcome. Please contact an officer on the Agricultural Executive Council for more information. We hope to see you all there!
OSU Ag Ethics Panel Biographies:
Geo. VanLeeuwen: Born in North Dakota. Dust bowl moved family to Willamette Valley when he was 16. B.S. from OSU in Agronomy and Ag Ed. George’s accomplishments include: USDA farm program administrator in Deshutes Co. 1949-’51; Farm credit field loan officer, assistant administrator, and loan analyst 1951-’56. He began full-time farming in late ’56. He was a board member of Willamette PCA ’67-’84; Linn Co. Farm Bureau president; Volunteer legislative assistant; Church officer and class teacher. George turned a run-down farm into a unit which enabled two sons to become full-time farmers. Together they built their own seed cleaning plant.vanleeu@wildblue.net
Liz VanLeeuwen: Born in Lake County, OR. B.S. from OSU in Home Making Education. Liz taught school, substitute teacher, adult education instructor. They have four children. She is involved in most aspects of home farm including managing the commercial strawberry acreage. Liz has been elected to 9 consecutive terms in the Oregon Legislature from 1981-1999. Elected to Linn Soil & Water Conservation Dist. Board 1998; current chairperson. Founding member of Oregon Women for Agriculture and American Agri-Women. Serve on Summer Ag Institute Board, and Orchard grass Grower’s Commission. Liz was a candidate for Congress in 2002. Ask her about northern spotted owl, Willamette River Greenway, semesters, DMV, seed lien law, etc.lizvanl@wildblue.net
Craig Christopherson, ARA – Rabo AgriFinance Craig is Vice President/Senior Appraiser at Rabo AgriFinance, a leader in agricultural finance. His role at RAF is to manage the Appraisal Department for the Western Territory which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Craig graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He is an ARA, Accredited Rural Appraiser, a designation awarded by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to those individuals who have several years of experience and have successfully passed an intensive process of reviews and examination. Craig holds the Certified General Appraiser License, the highest level appraisal license issued, for both Oregon and Washington. Craig is married to Beth and they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. In his free time, Craig can be found riding his Harley or fly fishing. Craig.christopherson@raboag.com
Greg Satrum, Willamette Egg Farm For three generations, Greg Satrum’s family has been committed to providing for the care and well-being of the hens that produce the eggs that make Willamette Egg Farm proud. Caring for egg laying hens in both traditional and cage free housing at this Canby, Oregon farm is a responsibility that Greg and his family embrace today with the same values that have produced safe and wholesome food for 75 years. Greg is chairman of the NW Poultry Committee which is a committee of NW Food Processors Assoc. which includes producers in OR/WA/ID.In addition to eggs, Satrum also grows hazelnuts and knows the challenges and rewards of a lifelong passion for agriculture and in producing food for today’s consumers. Greg received a BA from Oregon State, is a current co-owner and vice-president of Willamette Egg Farms and is active in both his church and sports activities with his four boys.gregs@willamette-egg.com