Agriculture and Natural Resources

OSU Extension microgreens gardening course reaches thousands of Oregonians

According to the latest National Gardening Association survey, about 55% of U.S. households had a garden in 2021. That number continues to grow with more than 18 million Americans starting the popular activity during the COVID-19...

Apr 2023 | Impact Story

Solve Pest and Weed Problems website gives gardeners solutions

Pests and diseases are the bane of the gardener’s existence. One minute there’s a healthy cucumber, the next it’s a moldy mess. Searching for reliable information can be frustrating, particularly for research-based knowledge ...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

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

Sagebrush in Prison Project teaches inmates horticulture and conservation

Climate change, drought, land use and wildfire on the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem of western United States negatively impact the iconic sage-grouse, which has seen its population decline over the decades. Although there are efforts to...

Mar 2023 | Impact Story

OSU researchers patent new packaging material made from food waste

It is estimated that 30-40% of food in the US is wasted, creating approximately 170 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and fostering climate change. When juiced, only 70-75% of the fruit is used, which means the...

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 reaches traditionally underserved Yamhill County 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...

Apr 2024 | 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