Supply chain problems. Rising inflation. Agricultural concentration. Climate change.

My fellow citizens of Umatilla County, we have a solution: regional self-reliance, something our ancestors knew well. We need to develop our regional and local economies. Our food can travel, on average, 2,000 miles. Our farmers and ranchers are at the mercy of the national and global food system.

All that stuff moving around takes a lot of energy, which contributes to climate change. We need to produce, manufacture and buy more local. Good for the environment, good for our economy. Get some chickens this spring. Plant a garden. Support your local cattle rancher and get a side of beef. Shop at the farmers market. Go solar. Buy less stuff from China.

Our ancestors knew how to do it. Maybe it’s time to relearn from the past.

Don Hartley

Pendleton