Ben Henson Flora/Troy

ENTERPRISE — Farmer Ben Henson is eager to get to work now that spring is here.

With a partner, he raises about 2,000 acres of export hay, mostly alfalfa.

“It’s mostly export, but some for the cattle guys around here, too,” he said.

Henson has been farming in the county since 1997, so he’s not really a newcomer. But he knows what it means to be a long-timer in Wallowa County.

“I’m not third-generation or anything,” he said.

Though he lives there alone, he still loves it.

“It’s a special place,” he said.

Henson noted that spring may be here, but in northern Wallowa County a lot of elevation changes keep winter around.

“There’s some areas that are clear, but up on top you still have snow,” he said.

Henson finds the people he deals with when he comes into town make Wallowa County special.

“When I come into town and go to Community Bank, I have somebody there who knows you by name, they know who you are and what you do,” he said. “That’s true if I go to Grain Growers or NAPA Auto Parts. It’s just a friendly community and a tight-knit community.”

He’s heard about the new Dollar General chain store coming to the county and isn’t impressed.

“I really don’t like it and I like the fact that you don’t have the big-box stores or chain stores here,” he said. “I just don’t think that’s the way we should be going.”

Henson acknowledges the need for more affordable housing in Wallowa County. As a farmer, he knows about the need for housing for seasonal help. But he’s not so sure what could be done to alleviate that shortage.

“We can’t hire people because there’s no place for them to live,” he said. “That should be a priority.”

Henson also has an idea of what people should know before moving to Wallowa County.

“It’s a pretty special place and it’s special because of the way people have managed this landscape,” he said, “If you’re an agent of change that’s probably not the right viewpoint. You should be coming and trying to learn from the people who do manage this landscape.”