News & UpdatesFebruary 2020 Vision Statement
Oregon Aquaculture Advisory Group, finalized documents presented on October 5, 2018. OAA Organizational Documents |
Brian Trout Ranch in Sandy, Oregon owned by Gary and Susan Brian.
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Our Board
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Clinton J. Bentz is a CPA, CMA is the founder of Business Navigators, LLC, a consulting firm that provides estate and succession planning services to family-owned businesses. He is a former Member of Boldt, Carlisle & Smith, LLC, a large local CPA firm, where he led the estate and trust group. He is an adjunct faculty member for Cannon Financial Services where he teaches trust and estate tax law to bankers, trust officers, attorneys and tax professionals. He and his brother Randy are the Managers of Blue Den Ranch, LLC, an award winning 700 acre multi-generational family Tree Farm®, fish hatchery, and recreational property located near Scio, Oregon.
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Randy Bentz is the operator/manager of the Blue Den Ranch Fish Hatchery, part of the Blue Den Ranch LLC, which has supplied top quality Rainbow Trout for live stocking and special events throughout Oregon since 1965. Randy is a retired Army colonel and currently works for NORPAC Foods, Inc., as the Director of Engineering and Operational Improvement. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point.
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Kathy Bridges, Secretary & Treasurer
Santiam Valley Ranch, Turner, OR kathylynnebridges@gmail.com (971) 270-0667 |
Kathy Bridges has a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and a Masters in Resource Economics. Since 1980, she manages her 150-acre farm raising warm-water fish, sheep, duck hunting and crops, in addition to other off farm employment. Santiam Valley Ranch was honored in 2014 as Sustainable Small Business of the Year in Marion County.
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Our History
Winter at Brian Trout Ranch
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Oregon Aquaculture Association (OAA) was established in September of 2004 by a small group of producers led by Clint Bentz, Blue Den Ranch. Those involved sold fish for pond stocking and U-Fish catch and release facilities. Prior to establishment of OAA, and continuing to the present, producers are acknowledged and certified by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as fish propagators. All transport of fish in Oregon requires a transportation permit issued by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Regulations are in place to avoid introduction of invasive/exotic fish species and diseases within Oregon.
In less than six months, OAA introduced four bills to the legislature. OAA managed to pass one bill which ensures that “fish farming” is an outright, rather than conditional use, on land zoned as Exclusive Farm Use (EFU). During this time, OAA expanded its networking by co-sponsoring a seafood and fish dinner for Oregon’s legislators. The endeavor was joined by the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Oregon Anglers, Association of Liquor Stores, Mt. Hood Beverage and Pacific Seafood. Audrey McCall, wife of former Governor Tom McCall, and many others enjoyed the fish fry, spearheaded by Desert Springs Trout Farm. During this time, OAA also developed a working relationship with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with goals to address aquaculture issues prioritizing fish health examinations. Read more... |
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Pictured at top of page: Blue Den Ranch, Scio, Oregon, owned by brothers Clint and Randy Bentz.
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