Southern

OSU helps develop high-tech solutions for Pacific Northwest fruit orchards

Pear, cherry and apple production is vital to Oregon’s rural economy, valued at a combined $200 million in 2022. But the industry faces serious challenges: climate change, rising costs, labor shortages and stricter regulations. ...

Jun 2025 | Impact Story

Klamath County families grow gardening skills at hands-on event

In recent years, global disruptions and rising grocery costs have motivated many families to seek more sustainable ways of living — starting with growing their own food. But gardening in Klamath County isn’t always easy. With...

Jun 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

OSU builds partnerships to conserve the sagebrush ecosystem

Oregon’s sagebrush ecosystem has declined by about 50% over the past 150 years due to invasive annual grasses, increased wildfire activity and encroaching conifers. This large-scale habitat loss has contributed to declines in ...

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

Honeybees 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

Student teams support watershed monitoring in Jackson County

Across Jackson County and much of Oregon, restoration and conservation projects often outpace the available funding and staff capacity to monitor them effectively. At the same time, high school students might lack awareness of ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Walk With Ease expands awareness through partnerships, marketing

Walk With Ease is an evidence-based physical activity program developed by the Arthritis Foundation that is proven to reduce the pain associated with arthritis, increase physical activity, decrease pain and fatigue and increase ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Outdoor School nurtures curiosity, connection and environmental understanding

For more than 60 years, Outdoor School has provided Oregon students with a unique opportunity to learn about science and the natural world through direct experience. What began in 1957 in Southern Oregon quickly expanded, with ...

Mar 2025 | Impact Story