Economic Development

OSU builds high-tech tools for orchard growers

Pear, cherry and apple production are vital to Oregon’s rural economy, with cherry production valued at $68 million and pear production at $90.8 million. But the tree fruit industry faces growing pressure from climate change, ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

OSU helps grow dairy workforce skills and industry investment

Oregon’s dairy industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sales and supporting jobs in production, processing and value-added products. By helping processors meet ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU convenes food and beverage industry to reduce waste, drive innovation funding

Oregon’s food and beverage industry is a major economic driver, but it faces growing challenges tied to efficiency, sustainability and coordination across the supply chain. By aligning research with industry needs and building ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension guides postfire recovery planning for Eastern Oregon rangelands

More than 1.8 million acres burned in Eastern Oregon during the 2024 fire season, creating urgent needs for communities and landowners. People needed evacuation information, alternative feed for livestock and clear points of contact...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU study shows wildfire risk challenges long-term forest planning

Wildfire risk is rising across the Pacific Northwest at the same time timber prices remain volatile. For timberland owners, that combination can make long harvest rotations harder to justify and can reduce the value of forestland...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension aids vegetable farmers exploring Asian crops

Vegetable farmers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley face growing pressure to stay profitable. Labor shortages, high costs and new regulations have added challenges for producers already competing with low-priced imports. At the same ...

Dec 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension helps lead septic and well repair efforts in Lincoln County

The Echo Mountain Complex wildfire ignited in Lincoln County on Labor Day weekend in 2020, destroying about 400 homes in and around the Otis community. Hundreds of families were left displaced. Most properties were in ...

Jun 2025 | Impact Story

OSU helps sustain success of Oregon’s onion industry

Oregon ranks among the top three onion-producing states in the United States, cultivating over 1.5 billion pounds of onions in 2020 across approximately 20,000 acres, primarily in Malheur, Morrow and Umatilla counties. The Snake ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension Small Farms Program among nation’s best

Small-acreage farms in Oregon play a crucial role in the state's agricultural landscape. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, a majority of the 35,547 farms in Oregon are small acreage, meaning they are 50 acres or ...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story

OSU study finds market potential for smoke-impacted wines

Oregon ranks fourth in wine production in the United States, following California, Washington and New York. The state is renowned for its high-quality wines, particularly pinot noir and chardonnay, and has several distinct ...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story