SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon agriculture interests are hoping to nudge along potential developments in Asia as part of a trade mission led by Gov. John Kitzhaber, perhaps emulating the success of the state’s grass seed industry.
The Capital Press reports (http://bit.ly/qq7gPO ) that one Oregon official points to a smattering of Oregon grass in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square as symbolic of the use Oregon grass seed has gotten in China’s beautification projects and as a check against erosion at the site of the Three Gorges Dam.
Officials say China is now one of the largest grass seed export markets.
Kitzhaber is traveling with business and government officials in China. He left last Sunday and returns Friday.
He plans to meet up with Oregon legislators who are on their own mission in China.
