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

Extension helps deliver critical reforesting information and seedlings to woodland owners affected by 2020 wildfires

Following the 2020 Labor Day week wildfires that affected more than 180,000 acres of family-owned forestland in Oregon, many of the more than 5,000 owners found it almost impossible to find seedlings or tree planters to ...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

Extension draws attention to discounted Coggins exams in Warm Springs

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an incurable, often fatal infectious disease that threatens horse, donkey and mule populations. Even if the animal survives the initial effects of the disease, it carries the virus for the rest ...

Aug 2023 | Impact Story

OSU Extension Small Farms Program among nation’s best

A majority of the 35,547 farms in Oregon are small-acreage, meaning they are 50 acres or less in area. The smallest farms, or those with less than 10 acres, account for 32% of all farms. Farms between 10 and 50 acres ...

Apr 2024 | Impact Story

OSU Oregon Naturalist course prepares volunteers to share the natural wonders of the Columbia Gorge

The Columbia Gorge, with its varied terrain and ecosystems, is a nature lovers' wonderland, a "backyard playground" for Portlanders and a must-see for visitors to the Pacific Northwest. There’s a great need for trained ...

Feb 2022 | Impact Story

Jefferson County third graders learn about agricultural research at OSU

Roughly 63% if the population of Jefferson County is rural. While the county has a high school graduation rate that's above the state graduation rate, it lags in residents with a four-year college degree or greater – 21.4%...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

Project Happy Apples helps gardeners fight devastating codling moth

The popularity of fruit trees for home gardens continues to grow. Gardeners can’t get enough, and apples and pears top the list of must-have trees. But codling moth, the most devastating of pests for these fruits, can ...

Apr 2019 | Impact Story

Youths ride into one-of-a-kind learning experience on 4-H Wagon Train

Positive youth development programs that are multi-generational, diverse, family-centered and non-competitive are important lifelong learning opportunities not often available in today’s society. To help connect youths with elders and ...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

Students fly high in Malheur STEM aviation program

In rural communities it’s especially difficult to connect underserved youth to a career pathway in STEM fields. At the same time, there is a deficit of workers in those occupations. Connecting the two can prove problematic. ...

Mar 2022 | Impact Story

OSU’s 10-year study gives organic blueberry growers a leg up

Finding ways to reduce costs while increasing production is critical for organic blueberry growers. Organic fertilizers cost 10 times more than conventional products and approved herbicides are less effective and costlier. The Oregon ...

Apr 2023 | Impact Story

Oregon communities strive for health and longevity in Blue Zones Project

Not only are people unhealthy, so are whole communities. By many measurements, access to nutritious food, good health care and fitness opportunities fell short in three Oregon cities – Klamath Falls, The Dalles and Grants Pass...

Jan 2023 | Impact Story