In this week’s issue:

Communication and connection opportunities

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

  • Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
  • OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
  • Read ConnEXTions weekly, and contribute!
  • O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
  • Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: May 17, 2019)

Administrative access to OSU-affiliated social media accounts

Recently, an OSU Extension-affiliated Twitter account that hadn’t been active in several years was hacked. The log-in credentials for the account weren’t immediately known. The account was reported and suspended, but not before several off-topic tweets were sent out that weren’t representative of Extension’s values. The incident serves as a reminder for those who are aware of OSU-affiliated social media accounts that are not active.

OSU’s social media policies page states: “No less than two responsible people must have administrative access to each account. This allows for better regulation of content and creates a failsafe if an administrator were to leave the university. If there is no other representative to serve as an administrator, please contact us and we will be happy to fill that spot.”

If you know of a dormant account that needs to be deactivated, please contact OSU’s social media team to begin the process.

Quarterly Conversation

The February Quarterly Conversation is now available for viewing. If you would like to take a closer look, the slides are available for download. Topics of the conversation included the leadership update by Scott Reed, Elliott Research Forest Feasibility Study by Katherine Kavanagh, and an update on the Outdoor Recreation Economy by Meredith Morrice.

Call for nominations – 2019 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence

The Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Awards for Excellence encourage and reward efforts to create and nurture healthy communities, healthy planet and a healthy economy through outreach and engagement efforts. Deadline for nominations is February 28.To learn more about award criteria and to complete the nomination form, click here. You are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate others. Award event will be held in the MU Ballroom, Thursday, May 2, 3:30 until 5 p.m., followed by a reception.

Extension Web Update

At this time, more than 1,000 events have been entered into the Extension website. The blog this week helps content authors  make their events stand out on the website.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions or comments or if you have suggestions for events or news stories to include in Diversity Highlights.

Special Features:

Video: 8-Year-Old Philadelphia Girl Is One of the World’s Youngest Barbers

This adorable 8-year-old girl is one of the youngest barbers in the world.

Events & Resources

Christen Smith, “The Sequelae of Black Life in Brazil and the US: Violence, Gender, Space and Time”: Christen Smith researches engendered anti-Black state violence, and Black community responses to it, in Brazil and the Americas. Join them as they talk about their research, March 5 from 3:30 to 5:00 in Eugene. For more information visit the event page.

Leading in Central Oregon: Join OSU Cascades AAUW Chapter and the Ranemaker Institute, for lunch, networking and an exciting panel of women leaders. As we go into International Women’s Day, we have the opportunity to hear from women leaders in Central Oregon who are leading companies and organizations in government, Sustainability, Natural Resources, Outdoors, Retail and Healthcare. March 6 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm in Bend. For more information visit the event page.

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors among Latinos in South Texas Communities: Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, Professor of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, University of Texas at Austin and Director of the Latino Research Initiative, will be giving a talk on her research in Latino health. March 8 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in Corvallis. For more info, visit the event page.

March Lunch & Learn: Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity: Join SO Health-E for our March Lunch & Learn:  Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity: Improving affirmative and inclusive health care in Southern Oregon. March 8 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in Medford. For more information visit the event page.                                                                                                                                     

In the News

‘Naomi’ comic brings diversity and ‘Portland spirit’ to the DC universe

Superman, Batman and the rest of DC’s trunks, tights and capes brigade have a new neighbor in their fictional universe: an African-American girl starring in the miniseries “Naomi” whose hometown has a name that might cause an Oregon reader to pause when it tumbles out on page 8 of the series’ first issue. Port Oswego.

Nonprofit supports inclusiveness in agriculture

Growing up on her family farm near Amity, OR, in the Mid-Willamette Valley, Lauren Ruddenklau said she struggled for years to reconcile the agriculture community with who she was.

The complexities of the Afro-Latinx experience through Brayan Rojas-Araúz

When Brayan O. Rojas-Araúz was 5 years old, he realized his afro curls and facial structure didn’t look like the rest of his Costa Rican family. He couldn’t understand why no one else around him had an afro too.

911 operators, dispatchers receive crisis intervention, mental health training

For the first time, many 911 operators in Oregon are getting training on how to better deal with someone experiencing a mental health crisis. It’s a type of training law enforcement officers and other first responders have received for years.

Hey, did you see this?

Thank you Dana Sanchez for the title suggestion. Hey, did you see this:

Facebook Post: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde– Oregon Trail of Tears

On this day, February 23, 1856, Indian Agent George Ambrose began moving 325 “Indian Refugees” from the Table Rock Reservation in Southern Oregon to the Grand Ronde Reservation in the Willamette Valley. Known as the Rogue River Trail of Tears, this journey required the Natives to leave their homelands and travel, on foot, north. The Rogue River Trail of Tears would take 33 days and cover 263 miles. To read more and see a map of the travel, visit their post link: https://www.facebook.com/CTGRgov/posts/2345555342175509

Extension in the news

Elk encroachment on Wallowa County ranch-land: A complex issue
Wallowa County Chieftain
“Historically the elk were only on the prairie for a few months during the summer,” John Williams, a retired Wallowa County extension agent and Associate Professor of Animal and Range Sciences for OSU, explained. “Now these elk spend most of the year on the prairie.”

Massive Loss Of Thousands Of Hives Afflicts Orchard Growers And Beekeepers
NPR/Northwest News Network
Ramesh Sagili, an OSU Extension bee expert, predicted these big bee losses because of mites earlier last year.

WAVE Minute: Mechanization Research
Washington Ag Network
OSU Extension economist Clark Seavert is developing economic and financial benchmarks for mechanizing Pacific Northwest vineyards. The reductions in labor costs could be significant.

Educate yourself before using organic pesticides
Coos Bay World
First decide if you need pesticides at all by practicing Integrated Pest Management or IPM, said Kaci Buhl, Statewide Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator for Oregon State University Extension Service.

Small farms conference offers classes, networking
Capital Press
The Center for Small Farms, through OSU Extension Service, offers a variety of classes and networking opportunities for small farmers to find their niche and connect to markets.

In this week’s issue:

Communication and connection opportunities

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

  • Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
  • OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
  • Read ConnEXTions weekly, and contribute!
  • O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
  • Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: May 17, 2019)

Call for nominations – 2019 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence

The Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Awards for Excellence encourage and reward efforts to create and nurture healthy communities, healthy planet and a healthy economy through outreach and engagement efforts. Deadline for nominations is February 28.To learn more about award criteria and to complete the nomination form, click here. You are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate others. Award event will be held in the MU Ballroom, Thursday, May 2, 3:30 until 5 p.m., followed by a reception.

Extension Web Update

Did you know an article can stay published on the website, while hidden behind-the-scenes you can work on changes and then replace the original when ready? Maybe you want to pull an article from public view immediately, make a note of the reason, and then have the author review and update it later on. This week’s digital strategy blog post looks at how to manage “Updating your content and keeping track of revisions”.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions or comments or if you have suggestions for events or news stories to include in Diversity Highlights.

Events & Resources

Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon?: A Hidden History: Walidah Imarisha will lead a discussion. Imarisha spent six years with Oregon Humanities’ Conversation Project as a public scholar facilitating programs across Oregon about Oregon Black history, alternatives to incarceration, and the history of hip hop. February 27 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Eugene. For more information, visit the event page.

March Lunch & Learn: Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity: At the March 8th Lunch & Learn, Kelley Burnett will be discussing the various ways that AllCare is working with the LGBTQ+ community to create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive healthcare environment for all people in our area, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. March 8 from 11:30 am to 1:30pm in Medford. For more information, visit the event page.

Nation of Immigrants: A Short History of An Idea – Lecture by Mae Ngai 2018-19 U of O, Wayne Morse Chair: Ngai is a professor of Asian American Studies and history at Columbia University and will lead a discussion. Her research focuses on immigration, citizenship, and nationalism. March 5 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in Corvallis. For more info, visit the event page.

TEDxBend Salon: Gender Equity 2.0: In this Salon, participants will explore and discuss the next steps in how to ensure fairness in the treatment of men and women. March 11 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in Bend. For more info, visit the event page.

In the News

Racism, discrimination, bullying and intimidation will not go away if we ignore it

A group of boys walked into the stadium waving a white nationalist flag and yelling slurs at the Woodburn girls. It was deeply disturbing and frightening to witness.

Ninth annual EOU diversity conference to more than 200 attendees

“Now in its ninth year, the CEAD Conference is expecting approximately 210 attendees at the day-long event Saturday, including an estimated 170 students and representatives from Oregon Humanities, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Portland and Blue Mountain Community College.”

A new funding model improves equity in the arts

On a rainy Tuesday, the Portland Art Museum gradually fills with school groups, vacationing couples and bespectacled, gray-haired patrons. Exhibits honor First Nations women and showcase Native American art, but a large portion of the collection remains devoted to European painting and sculpture. The visitors are nearly all white.

Oregon’s Racist Past: A History

Oregon entered statehood as a free state 160 years ago on Feb. 14, 1859. However, its origin is steeped in racial discrimination. A clause of the state’s constitution that was set in place upon its entry in the Union of the United States stated, “No free negro, or mulatto, not residing in this State at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall come, reside, or be within this state, or make any contracts, or maintain any suit therein.”

Eugene’s Minority Voices Theatre Continues Efforts To Increase Diversity On Stage

Minority Voices Theatre, in collaboration with the U of O and the Very Little Theatre, will produce its first full production this month. The play is a part of an ongoing effort to increase theatre involvement among marginalized communities.

OSU President emphasizes diversity in ‘State of the University’ address 

In a Feb. 7 address at the Oregon Convention Center, Oregon State University President Ed Ray emphasized the importance of improving diversity at the school – and called on state government to provide more funding for higher education.

Pioneering black scientist to win Nobel Prize of climate change

In grade school, Washington read books about George Washington Carver and other black Americans “doing interesting science.” By high school, he had decided on a career in physics. But the racism his parents encountered was still alive at Oregon State University. “My freshman advisor told me I shouldn’t stay in physics because it was probably too hard for me,” he says. Ignoring the advice, he graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in physics. He then earned a master’s in meteorology in 1960, also from OSU, and finally a doctorate in atmospheric science in 1964 from Penn State. (see also Gazette-Times)

What are you reading or what’s new?

For the past year, we’ve asked “What are you reading?” Books are great, but so are many other things. Ideas and inspiration can come from anywhere. So beginning this week, we’ll ask a different question weekly. Get to know your colleagues by responding to the weekly prompt—or by suggesting one. You can also simply share something interesting you’ve read or seen lately—a gadget, an experience, an article, a new trend, or yes, even a book.

We also need your help to re-title this section of our newsletter. Instead of “What are you reading”, let’s call it [your awesome idea here]. Send suggestions to Sandy

Extension in the News

Plan your garden with pollinators in mind
Bend Bulletin
Garden Ecology Lab, blogs.oregonstate.edu/gardenecologylab, contains postings under the direction of Gail Langellotto, Oregon State Master Gardener Statewide Coordinator, reporting on ecology lab studies being done by graduate students.

Deschutes County OSU-Extension to break ground on new building
KTVZ
REDMOND, Ore. – The Oregon State University Extension Service in Deschutes County will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new building on  Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m.

Beaverton teen named one of Oregon’s top volunteers
KGW
Jasmine White shows how she makes pet toys from recycled materials she learned in a 4-H class.

Local OSU office leads healthy eating effort
The World
The Oregon State University Extension Coos and Curry office is leading the local Healthy Eating, Active Living committee to be designated a Blue Zones community.

Conference focuses on pollinators
Capital Press
“These aren’t just members of the public,” said Andony Melathopoulos, pollinator health extension agent for OSU, who helped organize the summit. “These are people with skin in the game. These are people with active, ongoing programming.”

In this week’s issue:

Communication and connection opportunities

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

  • Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
  • OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
  • Read ConnEXTions weekly, and contribute!
  • O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
  • Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: February 15, 2019)

Call for nominations – 2019 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence

The Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Awards for Excellence encourage and reward efforts to create and nurture healthy communities, healthy planet and a healthy economy through outreach and engagement efforts. Deadline for nominations is February 28.To learn more about award criteria and to complete the nomination form, click here. You are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate others. Award event will be held in the MU Ballroom, Thursday, May 2, 3:30 until 5 p.m., followed by a reception.

Central Oregon Regional Director

Thank you to Dana Martin for her service to OSU Extension, most recently as Regional Director for our Central Region. Dana has announced she will retire at the end of this fiscal year.

We invite applications for the next Central Oregon Regional Director. Please share the position posting (https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/71837) with your networks. Contact Search Chair Willie Riggs with questions.

Extension Web Update

The Extension website groups have the ability to customize how content is added to best fit their purposes, which means needing to decide between available options. This week’s blog post looks at one case example of Master Gardener program training applications to see how certain approaches can meet the needs of different visitors to the website.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions or comments or if you have suggestions for events or news stories to include in Diversity Highlights.

Video of the Week:

Job Search for Veterans | Google Super Bowl Commercial 2019

To learn more about job search and our other tools and programs for service members, veterans and their families, visit https://google.com/grow/veterans

Events & Resources

Farming While Black: The evening is a great opportunity for essential discussion, education and raising awareness of the work and contributions of the Black farming community in Portland, the greater PNW and in a larger cultural context.  Feb 13 from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm In Portland for more information visit the event page.

Back to the Root – 2019 Oregon Black Growers Gathering: One-day NW regional conference is the first of its kind in Oregon, providing an opportunity for Black and African-American-identified growers, farmers, producers, educators, advocates, and ranchers. February 22 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in Corvallis. For more information, visit the event page.

Justice and Reparation in Guatemala: Challenges & Possibilities: Judge Barrios will deliver her address, “Justice and Reparation in Guatemala: Challenges and Possibilities,” in 156 Straub Hall at 6pm on Tuesday, March 5 in Eugene. For more information, visit the event page.

Visibly Invisible: Honoring Our Unsung Sheroes: A night of celebration empowerment, healing and self-actualization through the Arts of photography, dance, and fashion, honoring the journey and the complex roles Black woman play in our community and the world at large. March 9 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

‘Opening a window’ to education

Each year, Oregon State University’s federally funded High School Equivalency Program serves a total of 38 students from migrant or seasonal farm working backgrounds, providing individuals from these traditionally-marginalized communities the opportunity to obtain their GED and attend college.

New Emoji Include People With Disabilities

A dozen icons depicting the experiences of people with disabilities are coming to smartphones and other devices later this year.

Oregon state representative proposes new mental health centers

Oregon state Rep. Cedric Hayden, R-Roseburg, has proposed a pilot project of mental health service centers across Oregon.

Salem teens head to 61st Annual Grammy Awards for songs about addiction, mental health

You may not have heard of rappers Chowder, Big D.A.Q. or lil Gordito — but you might spot them at the Grammys.

Two-Spirit Powwow celebrates a broad, diverse community

The grand entry began a little after noon. Drummers gave a pulse to the proceedings. Dancers, all dressed in the traditional clothing of their respective tribes, began to step in place. Those who watched all stood in respect.

Salem-Keizer community ‘not ready for integration’ to reach equity in schools

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is in a unique position to address overcrowding and inequities across the district.

What are you reading?

Please share an interesting book, blog, or article you’ve read lately. What’s one insight you gleaned?

Extension in the news

Bakersfield breeder touts new cherry
Capital Press
Like the Chelan, Cheery Grand is an early June cherry, but unlike the Chelan, it is much larger, says Lynn Long, Oregon State University Extension cherry specialist.

In this week’s issue:

Director’s Coin Recipients

The Director’s Coin for Excellence is presented to Extension personnel, partners, collaborators, community members, and others who have displayed excellence in support of the Outreach and Engagement and Extension missions or have distinguished themselves in an exemplary manner.

The first Director’s Coins were awarded at the Outreach and Engagement Quarterly Conversation on Nov. 16.

Since then, Director’s Coins have been awarded to:

  • Vince Adams, director, Rural Communities Explorer, OSU campus
  • Alisha Atha, office manager and county leader, Polk County
  • Nicole Anderson, associate professor and Extension field crops agent, North Willamette Research and Extension Center
  • Julie Baker, administrative program specialist, Morrow County
  • Lisa Bogosian (Gillis), buyer, OSU campus
  • Candi Bothum, 4-H youth development educator and county leader, Deschutes County
  • Hal and Elin Hagglund, stakeholders/partners, Yamhill County
  • Ruth Jones, OSU Open Campus education coordinator, Deschutes County
  • Lillian Larwood, 4-H youth specialist emeritus, OSU campus
  • Andrea Leao, 4-H outreach program coordinator, Linn County
  • Maggie Livesay, 4-H natural resources outreach and county leader, Benton County
  • Lauri Michaels, 4-H education program assistant, Douglas County
  • Carol Roy, stakeholder/partner, Yamhill County
  • Sheila Smith, office specialist, Tillamook County Extension
  • Brian Tuck, professor emeritus, Hood River and Wasco counties

Any employee in the Division of Outreach and Engagement can nominate an individual for a Director’s Coin. The brief nomination statement will contain at a minimum:

  • Name and affiliation of the individual being nominated
  • Nomination statement including the action of the individual nominated and the impact of the action on the OSU or Extension mission
  • Proposed date and location of presentation

A well-worded nomination statement is critical as the nomination statement will become the wording used for the citation. Please be concise as we are using a 100-word limit.

The web form for nomination can be found at on the OSU Extension employees page under forms at: https://employee.extension.oregonstate.edu/forms/directors-coin-nomination

Call for nominations – 2019 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence

The Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Awards for Excellence encourage and reward efforts to create and nurture healthy communities, healthy planet and a healthy economy through outreach and engagement efforts. Deadline for nominations is February 28.To learn more about award criteria and to complete the nomination form, click here. You are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate others. Award event will be held in the MU Ballroom, Thursday, May 2, 3:30 until 5 p.m., followed by a reception. Registration for the event opens February 1.

In Memoriam

Jim Moore, former Extension Ag Engineering Specialist and Department Head of Bioresource Engineering, passed away January 17. Read about his very full life in his obituary.

Extension Web Update

EESC continues work on finalizing design and support tools for the Extension website, and recent changes made adding program resources, peer reviewed content, and online events easier. Here’s a look at what is new and what is on the way in this week’s progress update.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions or comments or if you have suggestions for events or news stories to include in Diversity Highlights.

Events & Resources

Internalizing and Applying an Equity Lens – Benton County: Through simulation, interactive exercises and group discussion, participants will gain insight into the ways they communicate, including the messages they send and how they respond to others. February 11 from noon to 4:30 in Corvallis, for more information visit the event page.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover: We invite you to participate in a unique opportunity for the entire university community – the Oregon State University Human Library. A human library functions similarly to a regular library; however, the books are real human beings who teach others about themselves and their experiences through interpersonal dialogue. February 13 from 10:00am to 3:00 pm in Corvallis, for more information visit the event page.

E&D Colloquium: “Portlandia Meets Italia: The International Fight for Adoption & LGBTQIA+ Rights: Fifth lecture in the Exploration & Discovery 2018-2019 Colloquium Series:  Civic Engagement and the Common Good. Frebruary 20 from 11:30pm to 2:30pm, for more information visit the event page.

Subjects in Passing: Central-American-Americans, Latinidad, and the Politics of Dislocation: Proffessor Maritza Cardenas to present on passing, subjectivity, and Latin-American identity. February 20 from 12:30pm to 2:00 pm in Eugene, for more information visit the event page.

Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon? A Hidden History: Walidah Imarisha will deliver a keynote interactive talk on the hidden history of black people in Oregon. February 27 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm in Eugene, for more information visit the event page.

In the News

Cascade Festival of African Films centers on hope and change in 29th season

The Cascade Festival of African Films turns 29 this winter and is bringing a world-renowned director to Portland.

New NAACP president ready for challenges

Angel Harris grew up in Vicksburg, Mississippi, moved to Oregon when she was in middle school, went to college at Oregon State University and Linfield and works in a nursing home in Albany.

International students face increasingly difficult admissions, immigration process

Dropping national and local rates of international students that apply to U.S. colleges may reflect the difficulties these students go through to come here.

Oregon needs 13 more years to get sidewalk ramps to comply with disabilities act

Across Oregon, thousands of pedestrian ramps along the state’s highway system are intended to help disabled people navigate curbs safely.

Racial slurs at high school basketball game prompts change

Students from Parkrose High School told KATU on Friday what they think about the racial taunts hurled at their girls basketball team at a game in St. Helens.

Creative Communities Are Addressing Social Isolation

Social connections are not just nice to have—they can significantly affect our health and well-being. Inspired by creative approaches abroad, communities across the United States are taking steps to reduce social isolation and increase residents’ sense of belonging.

Comic-activist Kamau Bell wows audiences at OSU

W. Kamau Bell made his first visit to Corvallis on Thursday and dazzled a capacity crowd at the LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University with a comic sermon on race, culture, life in the Trump era and why all of this matters.

What are you reading?

Please share an interesting book, blog, or article you’ve read lately. What’s one insight you gleaned?

Extension in the news

Weather woes across the nation, Mexico help to boost onion prices
Malheur Enterprise
Stuart Reitz, county extension agent, said the 2018 onion crop was good. “It went in in a timely manner and growing conditions were good. Overall, I think the yields were up,” said Reitz.