Agriculture

OSU Extension soil fertility study saves grower costs of applying gypsum to hemp crop

Crop production can be challenging on the serpentine soils of southwestern Oregon, where hemp production is an important local crop. Made up of the mineral serpentinite, the soils contain high levels of magnesium and other metals...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

Comparison of irrigation systems shows promise for hay growers in water-depleted northern Lake County

The environment in the Fort Rock-Christmas Lake Valley basin and Silver Lake region of Lake County is unique because of its dry climate, hot summer days, cool nights and soil type, making it one of the best alfalfa-growing ...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

OSU Extension research gives wine grape growers in Umatilla County hope for adjusting to changing climate

The wine region of the Walla Walla Valley labors under the most extreme conditions for grapes in the state. Growers have adapted, but recently the shifting climate has created more unpredictable and extreme conditions as ...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

OSU studies hemp and hops to better predict flavor and aromas for plant-derived products

New research funded by a $638,000 USDA grant aims to help Oregon hemp and hop growers more reliably predict consistent flavor and smell of Cannabacea plant-based products. These plant-derived high-value chemicals and ingredients in ...

Oct 2022 | Impact Story

‘Agripeneurs’ course creates regional market for local seed producers

Southern Oregon has a climate well-suited for seed production, and there are already more than a dozen farmers in the area who are selling commercial seed on contract for regional, national and international seed companies. But ...

Jul 2022 | Impact Story

Garden to Table course reaches traditionally underserved residents

The number of Latinos in Yamhill County continues to grow, making up about 16% of the county’s population. However, Latinos, especially those in lower-income households, along with other underserved residents, have traditionally been...

Jun 2022 | Impact Story

Farmers get a handle on wildfire prevention from OSU Extension outreach

Wildfires are burning across more agricultural lands than in the past across eastern Oregon due to a changing climate, increasing invasive annual grasses and changing farming practices that leave more residue on the soil surface ...

Feb 2023 | Impact Story

New rotational crops increase economic viability for Lower Columbia Basin farmers

On the irrigated farmland of the Lower Columbia Basin, growers rotate their high-value crops of onions and potatoes from field to field to help stave off soil-borne diseases and pests, cut down on erosion, suppress weeds and ...

May 2022 | Impact Story

Farm managers gain knowledge in OSU Extension’s virtual Coffee Hours

With its fertile soil and mild climate, the Willamette Valley grows a wide number of crops that are profitable but attract a challenging arsenal of pests and weeds. Growers and field agronomists tell the Oregon State University...

May 2022 | Impact Story

Networks foster support and learning as women in agriculture surge

Throughout the country, the number of women in agriculture is surging and that includes Oregon where 44% of the state’s farm producers are women. Still, working in an industry that is largely dominated by men causes some ...

Apr 2022 | Impact Story