Tax preparation in Lane County.
Free, trusted tax help is expanding in Lane County. Through a partnership between Oregon State University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and OSU Extension, low-income households can get tax preparation at no cost.
Learn more: beav.es/cvt
Groundwater Awareness Week focuses on protecting critical source of clean water. In Oregon, many households rely on private wells. The OSU Extension Service Well Water Program offers research-based guidance on testing and groundwater protection.
Learn more: wellwater.oregonstate.edu
Former Juntos students return as OSU Extension coordinators, guiding the next generation in Central Oregon.
Read more, beav.es/cpg.
"Classic Extension" in action — across oceans.
An Oregon State University educator worked with farmers in Timor-Leste on collaboration, soil health and agritourism.
The exchange strengthened rural communities abroad and renewed appreciation for Extension’s impact at home.
Read more, beav.es/qra
Oregon wheat spans 740,000 acres. OSU research and Extension support growers statewide. Read more: beav.es/qTr.
What holds up in Oregon Coast pastures — wet conditions and acidic soils? Three years of on-farm trials in Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop counties point to forage species that establish and persist, plus overseeding tips that boost success.
Read more, beav.es/TJa.
Blacksmithing is finding new life in Polk County 4-H, where teens learn to forge steel, build skills and connect with a historic craft.
Read more, beav.es/ShR.
Tree School Lane returned in person with 32 classes and a packed room: 259 participants, including 192 first-time attendees. See what woodland owners learned and why it matters.
Read the story, beav.es/5RV.
A Baker County 4-H teen revived a dog club and is training her dog to become the county’s first therapy dog team. Youth leadership at work.
Read more, beav.es/5cc.
OSU Extension and the Oregon Farm to School Network launched a 10-year plan to expand Oregon-grown food, school gardens and local food connections. Read the story: beav.es/wJi.
Ashwagandha plant
OSU Extension is helping Oregon vegetable farmers explore new markets with research on Asian herbs and vegetables. Tulsi, ashwagandha, mizuna and daikon show strong promise and growing demand for fresh, locally grown herbs.
Read more, beav.es/32T.
The 2025 Engagement Awards were announced at the OSU Engagement Conference. This year’s winners reflect standout work in service-learning, native plant restoration and humanitarian engineering.
Read story: beav.es/3Zc.
Two teens play fighting with makeshift swords at 4-H Questing Clovers Retreat.
Oregon teens found community at the 4-H Questing Clovers Retreat, a weekend of gaming, cosplay and creative skill-building.
Read the story, beav.es/JMo.
Story by @ziyue_see
Oregon’s Master Gardener volunteers are growing more than plants. They are growing food, knowledge and community.
In 2024, volunteers contributed more than 157,000 hours of service, answered over 41,000 gardening questions and helped grow and donate 40 tons of fresh produce.
Read more: beav.es/4Vj
Collaboration pays off. Local fire districts, watershed councils, county planners, OSU Extension and state partners secured an $8.7M grant to reduce wildfire risk in eastern Linn County.
Read more: beav.es/ZZj
Oregon State’s research forests are living laboratories that balance education, conservation, recreation and timber production. Through OSU Extension, they turn research into real-world impact and inspire stewardship statewide.
Read more: beav.es/xE5
Tayleur Baker holds a pigs snout.
It’s National 4-H Week, Oct. 5-11, celebrating how 4-H helps youth build confidence, adaptability and lifelong skills.
Congrats to OSU junior Tayleur Baker, a national finalist for the 2025 4-H Youth in Action Award.
Read her story: beav.es/xLU.
At this year’s MCAREC Field Day, growers and scientists came together to share innovations in pest management, irrigation and new pear varieties.
Oregon State University Extension and partners are helping ensure a vibrant future for the Gorge’s orchards.
Read more, beav.es/xX9.
The Gather, Preserve, Store, Share initiative was created with Tribal partners to blend traditional food practices with modern food safety.
Today, 29 community educators from Grand Ronde, Warm Springs and Portland completed training and are now teaching safe preservation techniques.
beav.es/xmw.
KidSpirit has expanded beyond Corvallis, offering free gymnastics classes in Siletz. Hosted at the Tillicum Fitness & Recreation Center and funded by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the classes give kids a chance to build skills, confidence and have fun.
Read more, beav.es/xNS.
Mystery blueberries? Suspicious tree dieback? Fungal crime scene in your garden? The OSU Plant Clinic has been cracking plant cases since 1954.
They use microscopes, DNA tests and serious detective skills to identify the culprit and help you fight back.
Learn more, beav.es/xqd.
In Crook County, OSU Extension helped launch the Green Bag program to support local food pantries and connect neighbors. Every other month, volunteers collect bags filled with nonperishable food and distribute them to organizations serving the community.
Learn more, beav.es/xSW.
4-H continues to shine in archery. Colby Townsend of Crook County placed third in compound archery at the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, leading the team to a 9th-place finish.
Learn more about Oregon 4-H’s strong showing, beav.es/xoF.
Join OSU Extension’s Youth Outdoor Career & Leadership Summit, Aug 13-16 at OSU Corvallis. Youth ages 14-18: Explore careers, build skills and connect with mentors. Register by July 13. Scholarships available. Learn more: beav.es/xZW.
Mark your calendars. The OSU Extension Food Safety and Preservation Hotline opens on July 7. Call 800-354-7319 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 10 to get expert answers to your food preservation questions.
Learn more, beav.es/Nvq.
Kyah Weeber, a Philomath High senior, preparing food on a stove.
Kyah Weeber, a Philomath High senior, found her voice and creativity through 9 years in OSU Extension 4-H.
From sewing her own prom dress to earning the 2025 Future First Citizen award, her journey shows the power of youth development and community service.
Read her story: beav.es/NBG
Thank you for supporting Dam Proud Day! 842 gifts raised $260K for programs like 4-H, KidSpirit, Juntos and AgriStress Helpline.
Your generosity helps us reach more people, solve real-world challenges and create opportunities for a brighter, healthier future for all of Oregon.
#DamProudDay
Dam Proud Day is almost here!
Support programs that help youth, families, farmers and students across the state. Every gift matters. Every gift moves us forward. On April 30th, join us in making a difference for Oregon communities.
Donate today, beav.es/NQ5
"The Oregon State University Extension Service’s new leader was shaped by growing up on a farm and participating in 4-H and FFA.
“Having that background helps me approach the work … That connection to agriculture is so important,” said Kristopher Elliott.
Thanks to Capital Press and Kyle Odegard.
Join OSU Extension on 4/10 at 10am PT for the first Oregon Youth In Focus webinar! Karen Pittman, Mary Arnold, Stephanie Malia Krauss & Belle Cantor will dig into the science of thriving & readiness in Oregon youth. Register: bit.ly/4iDfN3H
