Polk

OSU research shows smarter ways to manage a costly berry pest

Spotted-wing drosophila is a small fruit fly that can ruin berries right before harvest. Unlike the fruit flies many people know from kitchens, it can lay eggs in firm, ripening fruit still on the plant. The eggs hatch into...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

Co-created wildfire guide helps Spanish-speaking renters prepare

Wildfire risk continues to increase across Oregon, but access to preparedness education is not evenly distributed. Spanish-speaking renters, farmworkers and forest workers often face barriers that limit their ability to prepare for, ...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

OSU tests vineyard spray to help protect wine grapes from wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is a growing risk for wine grapes in Oregon and across the West. When smoke reaches vineyards near harvest, grapes can take in smoke compounds that later affect wine flavor and aroma. In bad years, growers ...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

OSU-USDA research leads to change in clover seed weevil management

Oregon produces more than 90% of the nation’s white clover seed, supporting forage systems, soil health and agricultural productivity. Clover seed weevil is a serious insect pest that impacts the Willamette Valley’s white clover...

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

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 researchers develop forecast model for spotted lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect pest that has been spreading rapidly across the United States since its initial detection in Pennsylvania in 2014. It feeds on more than 70 plant species, ...

Sep 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension finds solutions for cabbage maggot in Oregon vegetables

In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, cabbage maggot (Delia radicum) causes widespread crop damage and significant economic losses. Root vegetables such as radishes, turnips and rutabagas can’t be sold if they show insect feeding, and ...

Aug 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