About
Over the past several legislative cycles, the policy environment affecting agriculture has become increasingly complex. Issues ranging from workforce policy and taxation to environmental regulation, transportation infrastructure, and crop protection policy continue to shape the operating environment for Oregon’s hazelnut industry.
Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries (AOHI) exists to ensure the hazelnut industry has a clear and credible voice in those discussions. Through direct engagement with legislators, state agencies, and agricultural coalitions,
AOHI monitors legislation, provides industry expertise, and advocates for policies that protect the economic viability and long-term competitiveness of Oregon’s hazelnut sector.
Recent examples of AOHI’s engagement include:
- Working with agricultural coalitions to address proposals that could have created criminal liability for wage disputes or administrative errors affecting agricultural employers.
- Advocating for reasonable employer protections related to federal employment verification requirements.
- Participating in discussions surrounding climate and environmental policy proposals that could significantly affect agricultural fuel costs and operating expenses.
- Monitoring state tax policy changes tied to federal depreciation provisions and their implications for agricultural competitiveness.
- Ensuring hazelnut processing facilities remain appropriately treated under building performance regulations.
Many of these efforts occur behind the scenes, but they play an important role in protecting the business environment in which our growers, handlers, and industry partners operate.
For many years, legislative updates and policy monitoring were shared informally through the Nut Growers Society (NGS). That approach worked when the industry was smaller and the scope of legislative activity affecting hazelnuts was more limited.
As the industry has grown, however, the policy landscape has become more active and increasingly complex. Meaningful engagement now requires consistent monitoring, coordination with other agricultural organizations, and the ability to respond quickly when issues arise. Providing that level of attention requires time, expertise, and resources.
To ensure the industry continues to have a credible and coordinated voice on issues affecting our businesses, AOHI is implementing a straightforward membership structure to support its advocacy work.
AOHI Annual Membership
– Grower Member — $150
– Industry Affiliate — $300
– Handler / Processor — $1,000
Membership will operate on a rolling anniversary basis, beginning on the date a member joins and renewing annually thereafter. Even with this structure, AOHI membership remains very modest compared with similar agricultural advocacy organizations and commodity groups.
It is also important to note that AOHI serves a distinct role within the hazelnut industry’s organizational structure. AOHI is the industry’s advocacy organization and engages in legislative and regulatory affairs on behalf of the industry. Activities related to lobbying and legislative engagement are subject to specific legal requirements, which is why advocacy work is conducted through AOHI.
The Nut Growers Society (NGS) will continue its important role as the industry’s trade association, focused on education, communication, and industry engagement. As the industry has grown, maintaining this distinction allows both organizations to operate effectively within their respective missions.
Enclosed with this memo is the AOHI Membership Application, which is printed double-sided for convenience. The application may be provided electronically or by mail depending on the communication preferences previously indicated through NGS.
As AOHI membership develops, the organization will also transition legislative updates and advocacy materials to a dedicated AOHI platform so members can more easily access current information and policy updates.
The hazelnut industry has grown rapidly over the past decade and maintaining a strong and unified voice in policy discussions will remain increasingly important to protecting the long-term competitiveness of our growers, handlers, and industry partners.
Your participation in AOHI helps ensure that the hazelnut industry remains informed, engaged, and well represented as these issues continue to evolve.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to the long-term success of Oregon’s hazelnut industry.