In 2024, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener volunteers met Oregonians where they were. Across the state, people were looking for affordable, healthy food, practical and culturally meaningful gardening education, ...
Weeds pose a serious threat to Oregon agriculture. They reduce yields, lower seed and grain quality, and can keep shipments from meeting market standards. This challenge is statewide although its impacts vary by region. The ...
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), also known as tumbleweed, is a persistent summer annual weed and an ongoing challenge for wheat growers in Eastern Oregon. The weed infests nearly 5 million acres across the Pacific Northwest, ...
Research shows that Oregon needs workforce development strategies for youths. According to the 2020 Oregon Workforce and Talent Board report on essential employability skills, youths need soft skills to help them succeed as employees...
Blueberry production is a major agricultural force in Oregon and Washington. Together, the two states account for roughly 55% of the United States’ cultivated blueberry production, with Washington producing about 29% of the U.S. ...
Oregon has about 44,000 private woodland owners managing 3.5 million acres of forestland. These lands make up 12% of the state’s forests and contribute to economic vitality and environmental health. The program equips landowners ...
Farmers and ranchers face intense stress from crop failures, market changes, unpredictable weather, injuries and more. These pressures contribute to rising rates of depression — and, too often, suicide. According to the Centers for...
Pear, cherry and apple production is vital to Oregon’s rural economy, valued at a combined $200 million in 2022. But the industry faces serious challenges: climate change, rising costs, labor shortages and stricter regulations. ...
Oregon’s wine industry is known for producing high-quality wines and a wide variety of grape cultivars. Since commercial production began in the 1960s, the state has earned a strong reputation, ranking fourth in the United ...
The direct value of the wheat harvest in Oregon in 2022 was approximately $431 million, ranking sixth in value among the state's agricultural commodities. That economic weight means growers stay vigilant against threats to yield ...