Extension Service

The Oregon State University Extension Service provides practical, research-based information and engages learners, partners, and volunteers in communities across Oregon to meet local challenges and help every Oregonian thrive.

Our programs, partnerships and volunteer opportunities are focused on:

  • Healthy communities and economies
  • Resilient and productive forestry and natural ecosystems
  • Sustainable agriculture, food systems, and gardening
  • Thriving youth, individuals and families

OSU Extension steps up to address the needs of Oregon’s organic farms

Organic agriculture continues to grow rapidly in Oregon and is becoming an important economic engine while also supporting environmentally friendly farming. The state ranks fifth in the nation in organic sales and is stronger than...

OSU Extension Fire Program steps up for landowners after wildfires

Westside Oregon landscapes that typically don’t see frequent wildfire events were hit hard by the 2020 Labor Day fires. Fueled by dry conditions and fierce east winds, the westside fires burned over one million acres and ...

Extension-led effort enhances cover crops collaboration and education

Farmers use cover crops to improve soil, avoid erosion and keep weeds at bay, but there was no formal way to corral the available information for the growers who need it. Nick Andrews, Oregon State University Extension ...

'Eat Oregon Seafood' campaign promotes industry impacted by pandemic

Although Oregon’s restaurants re-opened this summer – with social distancing and indoor face covering measures – earlier mandatory statewide closures due to COVID-19 this spring sent Oregon’s $700 million seafood industry ...

Coalition provides COVID-19 information to Lincoln County Latino and Indigenous communities

In June, preliminary results from door-to-door sampling as part of Oregon State University's TRACE-COVID-19 project suggested that 3.4% of Newport's 10,600 residents had the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The results indicated ...

Klamath, Lake residents learn to prepare healthy and affordable meals

In Klamath County, 14% of households experience food insecurity. People who are food insecure are at a higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. For children, food insecurity can have both physical and ...

Shelter youth ignite learning sparks with 4-H activities, visit from therapy dog

The Washington County Juvenile Shelter, also known as Harkins House, is a short-term temporary residential shelter care and evaluation program for youth pending alleged violations who volunteer to participate in lieu of detention. ...

Garden Ecology Lab shares research-based information for home and community gardens

Thousands of people every year ask Oregon State University Extension Service experts and volunteers gardening questions. To help meet that need, the OSU Extension Master Gardener program was founded in 1976. Over the years, trained...

Food Hero Bingo fosters healthy behavior changes outside of school

Many Oregon families struggle to get their kids to build healthy habits outside of school. In Oregon, nearly 12% youth ages 10 to 17 are obese, ranking 43rd in the United States and District of Columbia, according to the ...

4-H cross-country programs provide outlet for young runners

In 2012, the St. Helens School District in Columbia County was forced to eliminate its middle school sports program. Studies show that sports participation for K-12 children have strong positive health benefits due to physical ...