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

Developing Oregon’s Winter Vegetable Market project fills need

Oregon’s mild winter climate is well-suited to storage crops and over-wintered field vegetables for local and regional markets. However, there are currently few locally-grown winter vegetables in produce markets from January through ...

New 4-H STEM program designed by teens for teens

Even though nationwide careers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) are experiencing economic growth, over 2 million STEM careers are predicted to go unfilled in the next five years. Middle and high school ...

Washington County 4-H creates popular Facebook video series

Faced with the reality of no longer being able to meet in person with their 4-H youth in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington County Extension turned to Facebook videos that as a group have been watched ...

Extension grass seed study helps improve farm efficiency

Grass seed is big business in Oregon, with a value of $517 million in 2018 – making it the fourth most valuable crop in the state. Growers use swathers to harvest the crop, but a significant portion of seed can be ...

Extension 4-H Snapchat geofilters viewed more than a million times

Looking into the future of social media marketing for Extension events, programs and educational opportunities, Extension educators must seek innovative strategies beyond the posts shared by staff and faculty. To engage, inform and ...

4-H virtual running club replaces Girls Go Run in response to COVID-19

A lack of physical activity and childhood obesity rates are a growing concern in Lake County. In the spring of 2019, Oregon State University Extension Service in the county launched Girls Go Run, an exercise program for ...

Born from necessity, Extension wildflower videos viewed hundreds of times

Each year, Rachel Werling, an instructor in the Oregon State University Forestry & Natural Resources Extension program, leads groups on hikes in in southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley to teach them about natural history, fire ...

Extension adult exercise programs keep Oregonians active during COVID-19

Physical activity is important to both physical and emotional health, and it can help strengthen the immune system. Walk With Ease and StrongWomen & StrongPeople are two popular Oregon State University Family and Community ...

Outdoor School provides resources for families during stay-at-home order

The COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon not only resulted in the premature end of the 2019-20 school year, but also led to mass cancellations of in-person outdoor school programs. The cancellations came at a time when enrollment in ...

Extension continues gardening education during COVID-19

Master Gardeners play a large role in providing food to their communities. In 2019, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardeners supported 23 school gardens and 46 community gardens. They also make significant donations...