Baker

Master Gardener volunteers grow food, knowledge and community across Oregon

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, ...

Nov 2025 | Impact Story

OSU survey highlights weed challenges in Oregon agriculture

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 ...

Oct 2025 | Impact Story

Oregon State research shows how grazing timing affects sagebrush wildlife

The sagebrush ecosystem — a vast, dry landscape that supports hundreds of wildlife species and livelihoods in the West — is shrinking and changing. Livestock grazing is the dominant land-use across much of this ecosystem. ...

Oct 2025 | Impact Story

Master Woodland Managers strengthen Oregon forests

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 ...

Sep 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension enhances mental health support for rural Oregonians

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...

Jul 2025 | Impact Story

OSU rangeland researchers help mitigate spread of invasive grasses

Invasive annual grasses are a growing threat to the Great Basin desert ecosystem which includes much of Eastern Oregon. These grasses — such as medusahead, cheatgrass and ventenata — displace native plants, reduce habitat ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

OSU builds partnerships to conserve the sagebrush ecosystem

Oregon’s sagebrush ecosystem has declined by about 50% over the past 150 years due to invasive annual grasses, increased wildfire activity and encroaching conifers. This large-scale habitat loss has contributed to declines in ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Kentucky bluegrass seed growers support research and Extension efforts

Oregon’s grass seed industry, valued at $639.1 million in 2022, ranks fifth among the state's top agricultural commodities. While commissions have long supported research for ryegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, orchardgrass and ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Northern Blues Restoration Partnership field tour enhances understanding of prescribed fire

Fire is broadly considered an important functional process in forests, rangelands and most other ecosystems. The reduction of periodic fire due to extensive fire suppression practices has been one of the major drivers of ecosystem...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Walk With Ease expands awareness through partnerships, marketing

Walk With Ease is an evidence-based physical activity program developed by the Arthritis Foundation that is proven to reduce the pain associated with arthritis, increase physical activity, decrease pain and fatigue and increase ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story