The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – Having grown up in the wheat country of Condon, Ore. and after living in Waitsburg for over 20 years, you would think I would have taken advantage of the opportunity to spend a day in the harvest fields. Sadly, I hadn't, until this year.

It took the enthusiasm of Janean Struckmeir, who eagerly invited me ride shotgun while she drove harvest truck, to get me curious enough to see what she was so excited about.

Janean typically spends her days working as a dietary assistant manager at Columbia County Health System. But like many in the Touchet Valley, she saves up her vacation...