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Oregon counties ban genetically modified crops

By WTOP Staff

GOSIA WOZNIACKA
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Residents of southern Oregon’s agriculture-heavy Rogue Valley have voted to ban genetically modified crops from the area, setting up the next stage of a fight that has gained widespread attention.

Companies that genetically engineer seeds — including biotech giants Sygenta, Monsanto and DuPont Pioneer — spent about $900,000 on their failed campaign.

Those that wanted to do away with so-called GMOs — including organic farmers and environmentally friendly soap-maker Dr. Bronner’s — spent about $400,000.

Here are some key questions and answers about the topic:

WHAT ARE GMOS AND ARE THEY SAFE?

Genetically modified foods are plants or animals that have had genes copied from other plants or animals inserted into their DNA in a laboratory. This is frequently done to make them resistant to pests and herbicides. No mainstream science has shown GMOs to be unsafe. But opponents say not enough testing has been done.

ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS LEGAL IN THE U.S., AND DO WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GROWN?

Yes, they are legal. Examples include most of the nation’s soybeans, and papaya in Hawaii. GMO crops were planted on about 169 million U.S. acres in 2013, about half the total land used for crops, according to the USDA. Companies generally aren’t required to report where the fields are located. Opponents want more transparency about where such crops are grown and which foods contain them.

WHAT HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN OREGON?

Organic farmers in the region have tapped a demand for local produce free of pesticides and wanted to prevent their crops from what they consider contamination by cross pollination from nearby GMO crops. They tried to reach a deal with Syngenta to keep modified sugar beets away from organics but pursued a ballot measure when the talks broke down. Bans in Josephine and Jackson counties passed Tuesday. Based on recent Oregon legislation, Jackson County’s ban, which attracted national attention and money, will have the force of law, but Josephine County’s ban appears headed for a court battle.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER GMO BANS IN THE U.S.?

At least a dozen places around the nation have adopted GMO bans or limits, including areas of California, Hawaii, Maine and Washington state. Unlike Oregon’s Rogue Valley, most of those counties did not have genetically modified crops growing before the bans.

WHAT ABOUT GMO LABELING LAWS?

The U.S. doesn’t require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Vermont, Maine and Connecticut have all passed labeling laws, although they don’t take effect immediately. There are currently 85 bills on GMO labeling pending in 30 states, as well as dueling bills in Congress. Labeling ballot measures previously failed in California and Washington state. Activists in Oregon, Colorado and in Arizona are currently gathering signatures to put GMO labeling measures on their states’ ballots.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN SOUTHERN OREGON?

Those who grow genetically modified crops in Jackson or Josephine have a year to harvest or destroy them, according to the ballot measures. Those who ignore the bans face financial penalties. Observers and officials expect both bans to end up in court. If judges hold up the GMO prohibition, it could drive Syngenta out of the Rogue Valley where it grows seed for sugar beets resistant to the weed killer Roundup. Syngenta did not return calls for comment. Monsanto spokeswoman Charla Lord said, “We believe growers should be able to plant the seeds of their own choice, whether those seeds are conventional, organic or have biotech traits.” But she added that Monsanto would not sell genetically modified seeds for planting in jurisdictions where their cultivation has been banned.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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