Youth Development

Extension hosts 4-H Summer Wednesdays in Washington County

Busy work schedules, limited child care availability and fees for program registration pose challenges to families looking for opportunities for youths to explore new interests. In response, Kristen Moore, Oregon State University ...

Oct 2024 | Impact Story

Elementary AgFest teaches Marion County students about local food system

Farm-to-school programs provide nutrition education, access to local foods, and agricultural education, serving families inside and outside the classroom. Classrooms that participate in farm-to-school programs such as farm field trips, ...

Aug 2024 | Impact Story

Extension facilitates donation of vegetable starts from middle school greenhouse to food pantries

Each year La Grande Middle School students grow a wide variety of flowers, herbs and vegetable starts in their school greenhouse. After their annual plant sale fundraiser there are usually several flats of plants that did not ...

Apr 2024 | Impact Story

Inaugural Extension 4-H Questing Clovers Retreat promotes youth inclusivity

In an effort to serve youths from underserved populations with identities that intersect with “geek culture,” Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H in Marion County created the Questing Clovers Retreat, an inclusive ...

Apr 2024 | Impact Story

Innovative activity engages Josephine County students in pollinator education

In Josephine County and beyond, there is a growing concern about the declining population of pollinators, particularly bees, which play a crucial role in our ecosystem. The decline impacts our food supply and biodiversity. Many ...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

OSU Extension provides leadership for statewide Outdoor School

Outdoor School is a transformative, immersive experience that instills environmental literacy and positive learning behaviors in students. It also encourages a belief that Oregon is a special place, with ecosystems they can enjoy and...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

Jefferson County third graders learn about agricultural research at OSU

Roughly 63% if the population of Jefferson County is rural. While the county has a high school graduation rate that's above the state graduation rate, it lags in residents with a four-year college degree or greater – 21.4%...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

4-H youths in Josephine County pack and deliver stockings for soldiers and veterans

Civic engagement is an important aspect of adolescent development and a core theme of 4-H education, and for the last 10+ years hundreds of soldiers and veterans have opened packages filled with stockings and filled by Oregon ...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

Environmental Leadership for Youth introduces Indigenous and migrant students to science and college

Hispanic migrant and Indigenous students are underrepresented in natural science careers and higher education. To change this, Oregon Sea Grant helps organize annual summer camps that aim to pique these teens’ interest in the ...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

Agriculture education program educates, empowers Indigenous youths

The average age of agricultural producers continues to rise in the United States, to 57.5 years according to the latest statistics. As they retire, there is a need for the next generation of producers to grow food, fuel and...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story