My brain is in a pollen-induced fog

[eve_prime]

Oregon’s Willamette Valley is one of the richest agricultural lands in the world, and Eugene is at the head of it, where all the valley’s pollen is trapped until rains wash it from the sky. Unfortunately, much of the valley is devoted to growing grass seed, so that the golf courses, playing fields, and lawns of the world can be beautifully green. I say “unfortunately” for three reasons.

1. Pollen counts in Eugene during the month of June can be astronomical. A count over 200 is considered “very high,” but we routinely see counts many times greater than that.
   
2. Think how much nicer it would be to be using that wonderful soil to grow food throughout the valley. Not just mint and hops and berries and wine grapes, but wheat and vegetables, too.
   
3. And until very recently, in August and September the farmers burned those fields for pest control. Better than poisoning the river, but then the smoke would rest above the valley until, again, those saving rains.

Anyway. It’s usually gone by the Fourth of July. Patience, eve_prime, patience.