Western

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

‘Library of Things’ food preservation collections benefit Oregonians

Food preservation is a popular hobby in Oregon, but it is also an important way that households can lower their food budget, reduce food waste and enjoy seasonal delicacies year-round. Particularly in rural areas, where grocery ...

Nov 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

Extension research leads to change in the management of clover seed weevil

Clover seed weevil is a serious insect pest that impacts Willamette Valley's white clover seed production. Historically, clover seed growers have relied heavily on broad-spectrum pyrethroid insecticides, including bifenthrin, as a ...

Jul 2025 | Impact Story

Oregon’s wine industry benefits from OSU research and outreach

Oregon’s wine industry is known for producing high-quality wines and a wide variety of grape cultivars. Since commercial production began in the 1960s, the state has earned a strong reputation, ranking fourth in the United ...

Jun 2025 | Impact Story

Free OSU Extension webinars help rural land buyers avoid surprises

Many Oregonians dream of owning rural land — imagining peaceful landscapes, self-sufficiency or even starting a small farm. However, the reality of rural property ownership often comes with surprises. New landowners may not be ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

OSU collaboration leads to investment in resilient food systems in Oregon

Oregon’s farmers continue to suffer losses from drought, heat waves, wildfire and other climate-related challenges. Traditional crop insurance and relief programs often don’t meet the needs of small-scale farmers who grow a wide ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Honey Bee Lab supports pollinator health, saving beekeepers millions

Honey bees are essential pollinators for crops like apples, blueberries, cherries, melons, almonds and broccoli. In the United States, they contribute an estimated $20 billion in crop pollination each year. But over the past 50 ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Oregon Season Tracker engages community to advance climate science

The Oregon Season Tracker program, coordinated by Oregon State University Extension, has engaged hundreds of volunteers across Oregon to collect critical environmental data on precipitation and plant phenology. By installing standardized ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Master Woodland Manager volunteers improve Lane County forest health

Forests cover more than 90% of Lane County’s 2.9 million acres. Over 3,600 families manage small woodlands, supporting local jobs, ecological health, recreation and community resilience. These family forestland owners are part of a...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story