The Stories Project: Oregon Livelihoods Traded Away

Gary Wampole Residence: Willamina, OR Occupation: Former worker at AgriFrozen food processing plant [ Hear Gary Wampole's story ]

Snapshots "They took a lot of people, farmers and employees, to the cleaners. They didn't care." "They were bringing in berries from Mexico and force our farmers out. Woodburn's in the middle of the Willamette Valley, the best soil in the world. It destroys a lot of people when you take away where they can sell the product. " "I was panicked. I needed a job. I have a family and responsibilities. Now I work out here at a lumber mill, which could be affected by free trade too. It's the same thing." "I worked there [AgriFrozen] almost right out of school... I was a third generation worker [at AgriFrozen]. It has supported my family for a long time. My grandmothers worked there, my aunts and uncles, my mom, my brother and sister. Everyone in my family has worked in that facility for a long time and it was hard when it closed. "

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