Family and Community Health

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

OSU Extension partners to launch Oakridge school garden

School gardens can strengthen food security in rural, food-insecure communities by increasing access to fresh produce while helping students learn practical skills tied to agriculture, nutrition and environmental stewardship. In addition ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension brings classroom microgreen gardens to Head Start

In 2022, Oregon State University Extension Service began training Southern Oregon Head Start’s nutrition services team to use the Harvest for Healthy Kids curriculum to introduce children to new foods while teaching how food ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension meets growing demand for safe home food preservation

Nearly all U.S. households use some form of food preservation to extend the shelf life of perishable foods, stretch food budgets and prevent waste. A 2024 nationwide survey found that 49% of households preserved food through ...

Mar 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension cooking kits help low-income families eat well

Many low-income families face barriers to finding affordable, healthy food and building the skills and confidence needed to cook nutritious meals at home. In communities with limited resources, families may rely on lower-cost options...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension trains Malheur youths in suicide prevention

Youths in Malheur County face growing mental health challenges, but timely support can be hard to access in a rural county with too few providers. Local data underscores the need: 21% of adults report frequent mental distress,...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

Equipment program expands preservation access in Columbia Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is known for its abundant fruit production — but despite the bounty, the region experiences extreme wealth disparities and high rates of food insecurity. Newly available data from a 2025 food insecurity...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

OSU Extension helps bring air monitoring to the Columbia Gorge

Wildfire smoke has become a recurring health concern in the Columbia River Gorge. The 2020 Labor Day fires brought hazardous air quality levels to the region, breaking previous records. In 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire also ...

Feb 2026 | Impact Story

Garden challenge helps Oregon families grow food, skills and health

Oregon ranks high in fruit and vegetable consumption, but many households, classrooms and community sites still struggle to grow and use produce year-round. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a clear need for simple, bilingual, ...

Nov 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension enhances mental health support for rural Oregonians

Farmers and ranchers face intense stress from crop failures, market changes, unpredictable weather, injuries and more. These pressures contribute to rising rates of depression — and, too often, suicide. According to the Centers for...

Jul 2025 | Impact Story