Oregon
List of Sustainability-Focused Extension Programs
Program: OSU Organic Extension Program
Institution: Oregon State University
Category: Food
Range: Oregon statewide
Description: OSU and Oregon Tilth, Inc. launched an Organic Extension program in 2016. We conduct applied research and provide workshops, Extension publications, online decision-tools and consulting for Organic farmers and other agricultural professionals in Oregon. Our initial focus is annual crops, we hope to serve perennial crops and livestock systems soon.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Information, Website, Applied research and workshops
Program: Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge
Institution: Sea Grant
Category: Energy, Water
Range: Oregon Statewide
Description: Coordinated by Oregon Sea Grant, the Oregon Coast Renewable Energy Challenge is an annual competition in which students show off devices they built that are powered by water, wind or light. More than 200 students entered 75 devices in the 2017 competition, which was held on Feb. 28 at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The event promotes the development of skills in science, technology, engineering and math.
Program Offerings: Information, Website, Competition
Program: Dry Farming Collaborative
Institution: Oregon State University
Category: Food, Water
Range: Regional
Description: The Dry Farming Collaborative is a group of growers, extension educators, plant breeders, and agricultural professionals partnering to increase knowledge and awareness of dry farming management practices with a hands-on participatory approach. So far there are about 20 sites throughout Western Oregon that are hosting dry farming trials including three OSU sites. We are demonstrating how to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables without irrigation in the maritime Pacific Northwest and engaging interested growers in participatory research. Together we are co-creating the future of how we manage water on our farms, with dry farming management practices being one approach for our drought mitigation toolbox. Other approaches and topics related to water conservation farming are being addressed in the ‘Growing Resilience: Water Management Workshop Series’.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Participatory research and Demonstration
Program: SAGE (Starker Arts Garden for Education)
Institution: Edible Corvallis Initiative
Category: Food
Range: Benton County
Description: The Edible Corvallis Initiative is working in many ways to better our local community. Much of that work happens at SAGE, a 1-acre production garden. The food grown at SAGE is donated to local food banks and soup kitchens. Each year we grow over 3 tons of fresh organic produce, 100% of which is given to these hunger relief agencies in our community. SAGE is also a place to learn. There are programs for children, garden-based workshops and community events at the garden almost year-round. We use SAGE as an outdoor learning lab to link classroom learning to the real world via Farm to School field trips in the Fall and Spring. Every Tuesday in July and August we offer family-friendly garden activities and projects that are appropriate for all ages. Each week features a new activity: Decorate garden flags! Make a seed collage! Paint with berries! Each day, try a fun snack fresh from the garden. We also offer Classroom Food Adventures. These are hands-on, experiential lessons that give students an in-depth educational experience with local produce that is featured monthly in their school lunches and cafeteria Tasting Tables. Students learn about Oregon-grown crops, healthy eating habits, and teamwork, through preparing recipes together in their classrooms.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
Program: Women Owning Woodlands
Institution: Oregon State University
Category: Land, Air Quality/ Climate Change
Range: Oregon statewide
Description: The Women Owning Woodlands Network (WOWNet) is a diverse, enthusiastic, group of women who are interested in woodland management. WOWNet allows women to come together to learn about forest management, share their forestry and natural resources experiences, and exchange personal knowledge in a unique peer-to-peer learning environment. The group encompasses many different knowledge sources and diverse management goals. WOWNet women are working in forests, they are owning forests, and they are actively engaged in land management!
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information
