Central

OSU study shows smoke stresses calves

Oregon’s cattle industry is a major part of the state’s agricultural economy. The Oregon Department of Agriculture ranks cattle and calves as Oregon’s No. 2 agricultural commodity, with a production value of about $791.5 ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

OSU builds high-tech tools for orchard growers

Pear, cherry and apple production are vital to Oregon’s rural economy, with cherry production valued at $68 million and pear production at $90.8 million. But the tree fruit industry faces growing pressure from climate change, ...

May 2026 | Impact Story

Landowners expand prescribed fire use in Eastern Oregon

More than a century of fire exclusion has reshaped forests and rangelands across Eastern Oregon. Without regular low-intensity fire, fuels have built up, increasing the risk of larger, more severe wildfires. Community-led burning ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension grows library partnerships for access to food preservation

Food preservation is a popular practice in Oregon, with more than half of households using methods beyond refrigeration and freezing. It helps families lower food costs, reduce waste and enjoy seasonal foods year-round. These ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

Producers gain skills to meet beef market standards

Cattle production is one of Oregon’s leading agricultural commodities. To maintain market access and consumer confidence, beef producers must meet evolving standards for animal health, handling and traceability. The Beef Quality ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

Central Oregon gardeners gain ecological, fire-resistant skills

In Central Oregon, rapid population growth and dry conditions are increasing pressure on water, landscapes and wildfire risk. More homes are being built in the wildland-urban interface, where development meets forests and rangelands. ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

Farmers build skills to reduce wildfire risk

Wildfires are increasingly impacting agricultural lands in Eastern Oregon due to a changing climate, invasive annual grasses and evolving farming practices. Dryland wheat producers have adopted no-till systems to reduce erosion and ...

Apr 2026 | Impact Story

Gilliam County producers gain tools and guidance

Gilliam County in north-central Oregon is one of the state’s leading dryland wheat-producing regions and part of the Columbia Plateau’s grain belt. The county’s rolling wheat fields support a large share of its agricultural ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

Young adults gain wildfire workforce skills in Eastern Oregon

Communities across Eastern Oregon need more trained workers to reduce wildfire risk and manage forests safely. Fuels reduction, forest restoration and wildfire preparedness work require skilled crews who understand both forestry ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU field courses bolster rangeland workforce

The sagebrush biome is the largest native ecosystem in North America and one of the most at risk. Altered fire regimes, expanding juniper and invasive annual grasses have made management more difficult across Oregon and the ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story