Polk

OSU, Forest Service find high wildfire risk for old forests where fire used to be common

Mature and old-growth forests are among the Pacific Northwest’s most valuable natural assets. They store large amounts of carbon, provide wildlife habitat, support water systems and contribute to recreation, tourism and other public...

May 2026 | Impact Story

OSU research cuts labor costs in blackberry production

Oregon is a leading production state for machine-harvested trailing blackberries, an industry that supports growers, processors and rural communities. ‘Columbia Star’ has quickly become one of the region’s most widely planted ...

Apr 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 pruning research helps hazelnut growers cut losses

Oregon is the center of the U.S. hazelnut industry, and the crop is an important driver of farm income, processing activity and rural economic vitality in the Willamette Valley. Hazelnuts support growers, nurseries, processors, ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension, partners develop strategy for gray-tailed vole control

Gray-tailed voles are a recurring pest in Oregon agriculture and can cause serious crop damage when populations surge. In the Willamette Valley, grass seed fields provide prime habitat. By identifying shared priorities and ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

School IPM Program protects health and safety of Oregon children

Asthma is the top cause of absenteeism in U.S. public K–12 schools. In Oregon, common school pests such as mice, cockroaches and flies can trigger asthma and spread diseases including E. coli, Lyme disease and salmonellosis. ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

Olea project supports development of Oregon’s olive industry

Interest in growing olives — a high-value specialty crop — is increasing in Oregon. However, research-based information on cultivar selection and production practices for the state is limited. Primary challenges include damage from...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU helps Oregon strengthen invasive species defense

Invasive species are nonnative plants and animals that can spread quickly and cause environmental or economic harm. In Oregon, they harm agriculture, aquaculture and forests, damage infrastructure, habitats, outcompete native species for...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU survey guides weed strategy for vegetable seed production

Vegetable specialty seed production is a cornerstone of agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. More than 170 seed crops — including brassicas, spinach, radish, carrot, onion and many others — are grown on relatively small ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU builds forest biodiversity data through community science

The Oregon State University College of Forestry owns and manages the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, an 11,500-acre, heavily visited forest north of Corvallis. After three years of collaboration among scientists, educators, tribes and ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story