Eastern OR farm drops proposal to build worker housing

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - A farm in eastern Oregon has abandoned its plan to add a new housing development for 200 to 800 seasonal workers, saying it will instead consider other options to fill its labor needs.

Threemile Canyon Farms announced this week that it would drop the development, which was strongly opposed during a Morrow County public hearing.

Threemile Canyon Farms is owned and operated by R.D. Offutt Company, which was working on a deal to buy 66 acres from the city of Boardman for the housing project. Officials say the project would help recruit additional laborers needed for organic produce.

Threemile Canyon General Manager Marty Myers said he withdrew the application because he did not want to jeopardize the farm's standing in the community.