In this week’s issue:

• Bright Spots
• Summer Master Gardener Class
• Healthy Community grants available
• Quarterly Conversation
• Extension Web Update
• Diversity Highlights
• Hey, did you see this?
• Extension in the news

Bright Spots

Summer Master Gardener Class

An accelerated summer online master gardener glass is now available. The gardeners who don’t want to wait until January can get information here.

Healthy Community grants available

The OSU Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition & Preventive Health is pleased to announce that the request for proposals for the 2019 Healthy Community Outreach Grants is now open. This statewide outreach program seeks to improve the nutrition and food environment in underserved communities across the State of Oregon in partnership with our colleagues in the OSU Extension Service and local community health partners.

Available Funding

The Moore Family Center Healthy Community Outreach program is seeking proposals from Extension professionals in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences for community-based projects. Each project proposal may request up to $25,000 through this competitive process and up to 4 projects will be funded per year ($100,000 total project funding statewide). The OSU Moore Family Center shall act as the fiscal agent on each funded project.

Project Focus

The intent of the Healthy Community Outreach Program is to empower local communities to work together to improve the lifelong health of Oregonians where they live, work, learn and play in ways that stimulate innovation and collaboration. We welcome project proposals related to improving nutrition and the food environment from Extension teams across the state.  Cross program collaborations are encouraged.

Proposal Guidelines

The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2019.  For full proposal guidelines and application instructions please visit our website. Please send your questions about this funding opportunity to Jenny Rudolph, Moore Family Center Outreach Coordinator.

Quarterly Conversation

The May 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, Oregon Outdoor School by Kris Elliott and his team, making outdoor school an integral part of school curriculum by Susan Sahnow and LeeAnn Mikkelson, and Extension’s digital strategy by Jennifer Alexander and Lucas Turpin.

Extension Web Update

Answers to your frequently asked questions about the new digital strategy, and useful tips for thinking about and searching for online content on the Extension website are now highlighted at: https://beav.es/navigator.

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

AMERICA’S GLOBAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL: The opening ceremonies include a costumed parade through the park. The main stage will highlight cultural entertainment throughout the day. June 1 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in Ontario. For more inforamtion, visit the event page.

Beyond Vanport: Remembering Native North Portland/Peggy Ball-Morrill: Klamath/Modoc artist Peggy Ball-Morrill’s paintings portray a community nearly invisible in popular culture where representations of native people are often limited to westerns or cartoons. The paintings remember a close-knit native community at a time when federal termination and relocation policies threatened Native survival. June 1–5 in Portland. For more info, visit the event page.

Gambatte: An American Legacy – Community Healing Gathering: This event focuses on sharing and listening to the emotional legacies held within the Japanese American experience. Generations have been impacted by the history of racism through lived experiences, historic impacts and the individual and collective pursuit of understanding identities in America. June 1– 5 in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Oregon State Students Re-enact 1969 March Across Campus

Dozens of people of all races and backgrounds participated in a march at Oregon State University on Tuesday, re-enacting the action students took decades earlier that created the opportunities they now have.

Oregon joins effort to solve crimes against Native women

Native American women have gone missing or been killed at alarming rates, federal and private studies show, and there is growing concern that confusion by law enforcement over who has jurisdiction can lead to lax pursuit of cases and insufficient data.

Oregon State University at NCORE

For the first time in its history, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education will take place in Portland, Oregon from May 28 to June 1, 2019.

Residents See Trailer Parks As Home. Investors See Them As Cash Cows.

Meet the mobile home owners fighting back.

OSU part of grant to study link between microbiome, autism

An Oregon State University researcher is part of a $1.94 million grant to look for possible connections between the human microbiome and autism spectrum disorder.

Hey, did you see this?

Siri and Alexa Reinforce Gender Bias, U.N. Finds

Why do most virtual assistants that are powered by artificial intelligence — like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa system — by default have female names, female voices and often a submissive or even flirtatious style?

Extension in the news

Mob grazing paying off near Jordan Valley
Capital Press
Weaned cows have been staying on U.S. Bureau of Land Management range in late fall to graze densely on medusahead and cheat grasses as part of an Oregon State University Extension study.

Barring wildlife helps get your space back
Idaho Press-Tribune
“Our homes and gardens often overlap with spaces and resources used by wild animals, both native and non-native,” said Dana Sanchez, Oregon State University extension service wildlife specialist.

In this week’s issue:

• • Bright Spots
  • 2018-19 Extension Faculty Promotions
  • Awards for Excellence Event Recording and Resources
  • Upcoming webinar
  • Extension Web Update
  • Diversity Highlights
  • Directors Coin for Excellence for April
  • Extension in the news

Bright Spots

We’re trying a new, regular feature in ConnEXTion. If you tuned into the May 17 Quarterly Conversation, you heard Scott begin by sharing a few examples of impactful programs; success stories; and faculty, staff, and partner recognitions. We know there are more great things happening every day across the state, and as Scott shared, it’s important we take time out of our daily tasks to celebrate and acknowledge those.

Here’s a place we can do that. If you have a bright spot, a success, or a shout-out, please submit it. We’ll publish these weekly in a new “Bright Spots” section of each ConnEXTion issue.

2018-2019 OSU Extension Faculty Promotions

Congratulations to the following OSU Extension faculty for their promotion effective July 1, 2019! Their promotion follows rigorous analysis of their dossiers by peers and administration at several levels of the University, as well as external reviewers. We applaud their success and take pride in the accomplishments of our Extension faculty.

Promoted to Senior Instructor I:

• Amanda Hatfield, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Biological and Population Health Sciences
• Kelly Streit, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Biological and Population Health Sciences
• Tina Dodge Vera, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Biological and Population Health Sciences

Promoted to Senior Instructor II:

• Stephanie Polizzi, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Biological and Population Health Sciences

Promotion to Associate Professor of Practice:

• Barbara Bromley Brody, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Social and Behavioral Health Sciences
• Jamie Davis, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Social and Behavioral Health Sciences

Promoted to Associate Professor with indefinite tenure:

• Lauren Gwin, College of Agricultural Sciences,Crop and Soil Science

Promoted to Professor:

• Amy Jo Detweiler, College of Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture
• Katherine (Kathy) Gunter, College of Public Health and Human Sciences,Biological and Population Health Sciences
• Deborah John, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Biological and Population Health Sciences
• Dustin Johnson, College of Agricultural Sciences, Animal and Rangeland Sciences
• Patty Skinkis, College of Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture
• David Stone, College of Agricultural Sciences, Food Science and Technology
• Scott Leavengood, College of Forestry, Wood Science and Engineering

Awards for Excellence Event Recording and Resources

On May 2, the inaugural Failing Forward Award and 10 Vice Provost Awards for Excellence were awarded to diverse projects from across the university, including five with direct ties to the Division of University Outreach and Engagement. You will find a recording of the event, a PDF of the event program, a photo gallery, and descriptions of the award winning projects on the event website.

Upcoming webinars

Extension Web Update

This week’s update includes an update on the Navigator, upcoming webinars, and a list of website updates.

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

SAY HEY! – Legacy Health Atrium: Say Hey! is an evening program to welcome professionals of color who recently relocated to the region. Join in for a fun evening of connecting, celebrating and showing our newest neighbors that there’s a rich and thriving multicultural community. May 29 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

Conversation Project: What Is Cultural Appropriation?: Issues of cultural appropriation and identity are complicated. Power dynamics influence who benefits from certain cultural experience, and—given the global nature of our world—parts of our individual and cultural identities are shaped by cultures other than our own.  May 29 starting at 6:00 pm in Ontario. For more information, visit the event page.

America’s Global Village Festival: The Festival displays authentic cultural villages—African, Basque, German, Hawaiian, Japanese, Mexican, Native American, Pioneer, Scottish. Each village features food, arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations and free youth activities. June 1 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in Ontario. For more information, visit the event page.

1st Annual Albany Autism Walk: Join the Autism Society of Oregon for a day of family fun with activies like face painting, crafting and other inclusive activities. June 8 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in Albany. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Black Mark, Black Legend: Uncovering the lineage of Black artists in Portland

I enter this work, Intisar S. Abioto, a Black woman, artist, Southern writer, storyteller, born in the year 1986, working in this world until a year yet to be determined.

Social equity becomes a key question as pot legalization spreads

Advocates for legalizing marijuana have long argued it would strike a blow for social justice after a decades-long drug war that disproportionately targeted minority and poor communities.

Park’s plans seen as promise of increased awareness, community togetherness

A local nonprofit organization that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families unveiled this week plans for an all-inclusive, fully accessible community park.

Warm Springs Tribes official to deliver OSU-Cascades commencement

Alyssa Macy, chief operating officer for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, will deliver the commencement address at Oregon State University – Cascades’ 18th commencement ceremony.

Directors Coin for Excellence

We are pleased to announce the newest director’s coin for excellence recipients. They are:

Michelle Jenck
Kurt Englund
John Corbin
Sheila Garber
Yosvan Campos
Celia August
Teresa Crowley
Shana Withee
Cassie Bouska
Lynette Black
Lindsay Davis
Mark LAbhart

Congratulations to all of you!

Please send in your nominations here.

Extension in the news

We Need Summer Camp More Than Ever Before
Outside
“We know all of the evidence tells us that students learn more and they retain more when they learn in an outdoor setting,” says Kris Elliott, assistant director for outreach and engagement for the outdoor-school program, which is facilitated by the Oregon State University cooperative-extension system. “They’re not only retaining that information in a more meaningful way, they’re also connecting to nature and to a place, and they carry that with them into the future.”

Hood River County Library to offer ‘things’ to checkout
Hood River News
“We are kicking off this collection with home kitchen and preservation tools in partnership with the Oregon State University Extension Service.”

OSU researcher focuses on integrated pest management
The Creswell Chronicle
Now a professor of horticulture at Oregon State University and the state coordinator at the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program, Gail Langellotto helps horticulturists manage their pests with the ideology of integrated pest management.

Bugs, birds and more at Beazell: Students enjoy lessons in the forest
Philomath Express
The program serves Title 1 underserved elementary schools, such as Philomath, Blodgett and others. Maggie Livesay, Benton County 4-H outreach leader with the OSU Extension Service, said 256 third and fourth graders went through the program last year.

In this week’s issue:

• Dam Proud Day raises funds for Extension
• Communication and connection opportunities
• Upcoming webinars
• Extension Web Update
• Diversity Highlights
• Hey, did you see this?
• Extension in the news

Dam Proud Day raises funds for Extension

As of May 13, Oregon State University raised $621,661 from 2,731 donors during its first ever 24-hour giving day. Extension’s participation in the fundraising event raised $13,660 from 447 donors (includes duplicate donors). Food Hero had the third highest number of donors of any college or department at 250. Way to go Lauren Tobey and the FCH/Food Hero team! Within Extension, Open Campus and Juntos raised the most funds for a total of $3,465 thanks in part to a very active social media campaign. Thank you to everyone who helped to promote the event.

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 ConnEXTion weekly, and contribute!
• O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
• Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (This Friday: May 17, 2019, Kidder 202 or via WebEx)

Upcoming webinars

Extension Web Update

Content strategy guides planning for the creation, delivery, and governance of useful, usable content that meets audience needs. Getting to this point can be full of fun, interactive, and reflective exercises. If you are planning a statewide working group meeting this summer, consider adding a content strategy workshop to your agenda. Content teams for Extension’s website can get ideas in this week’s digital strategy blog post.

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

28th Annual Nestra Fiesta Latina: MSU invites everyone to Nuestra Fiesta Latina with activities for all ages, entertainment such as mariachi music, salsa and merengue dancing, traditional food and a “baile” to end the day. May 17 from 11:00am to 12:00pm in Monmouth. For more information, visit the event page.

Conversation Project: The Middle Class and Other Stories About Wealth, Status, and Power: Join Oregon Humanities Executive Director Adam Davis for a conversation that explores what we think and how we talk about class in Oregon and the nation.  May 18 from 1:00pm to 2:00 pm in Tillamook. For more information, visit the event page.

Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam: Join the The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for a gathering to discuss how our tribal histories have impacted their community to this today. This will be a gathering to experience culture, collective healing and historical wisdom. May 21 from 8:00am to 5:00pm in Grand Ronde. For more information, visit the event page.

SAY HEY! – Legacy Health Atrium: Say Hey! is an evening program to welcome professionals of color who recently relocated to the region. Join in for a fun evening of connecting, celebrating and showing our newest neighbors that there’s a rich and thriving multicultural community. May 29 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Virtual Classroom Aims To Reduce Implicit Bias & Student Suspensions

A former educator is diving into the Eugene tech field to change how teachers address bias in classrooms. Her virtual reality program could help decrease student suspensions.

OSU Libraries receive grant money for activist photographic collection

Work of photographer Chuck Williams, including cultural events, Oregon landscapes, will be displayed at OSU.

Washington County proclaims Asian Heritage Month

Washington County is home to Oregon’s largest share of Asians and Pacific Islanders at 11-12 percent of 610,000 population. Two speakers warn against generalizations about diverse peoples and cultures.

Arabic culture on display at Annual Foreign Language and International Studies Day

High school students from all over the state of Oregon piled into the EMU on Friday, May 3 at the University of Oregon to attend the 41^st Annual Foreign Language and International Studies Day.

How Colleges Use 6-Word Stories About Race as a Teaching Tool

Beckie describes how some colleges and professors are using Michele Norris’s Race Card Project as a teaching tool.

Hey, did you see this?

Extension helps kids go screen free.

Extension in the news

In this week’s issue:

• OSU public records requests
• Upcoming Webinars
• New: 300 million images!
• Extension Web Update
• Diversity Highlights
• Hey, did you see this?
• Extension in the news

OSU public records requests

Jackie Bangs has been named the new public records officer within University Relations and Marketing. In a new policy that took effect on May 1, all OSU public records requests are to be directed to the OSU Public Records Office.

Upcoming Webinars

Managing County Landing Pages and Local Focus Areas
Presented by Bryan Mayjor

New: 300 million images!

Creative Commons has launched their new search engine which searches 300 million images that you can use on your websites, blogs, presentations, and more! All the images are free, but you must follow the instructions on the license. The search engine now searches many more places than just Flickr. It’ll search 19 collections, including Flickr, Animal Diversity Web, Flora-On, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Have fun with it, and if you have questions about photos and Creative Commons, you can contact Karen Zimmermann of EESC.

Extension Web Update

What exactly is a CRM… and why should I care? Wondering what a CRM is? Or what a strategy for using a CRM at Extension might look like? Read this week’s blog post.

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 Announcement:

Diversity & Inclusion Three-Part Series: This session will be led by Dr. Juanita Simmons and is for eXtension members only as part of Engage & Empower Online. Click on the workshop tittle for the registration link. May 8, 2019 1:00 PM

Part II, Implicit Bias, Civility, and Microaggressions in the Workplace

• To understand the meaning, symptoms, and prevention of Implicit Bias in theory and practice;
• To understand how Implicit Bias impacts institutional climate;
• To understand ad recognize Microaggressive behavior and the impact that microaggressions have on institutional climate and relationships;
• To introduce Civility in the Workplace (I)

Events & Resources

Binaries That Bind Us: This is part of a series of groups examining cognitive distortions, also called thinking errors. These are irrational beliefs or biases that often ultimately work against us and our overall wellness. They often reinforce negative patterns, causing one to feel “stuck”. May 13 7:00pm from 8:30pm in Portland. Fore more information, visit the event page.

Indigenous Masculinities Conversations: A space to discuss indigenous masculinities, from gender roles to gendered issues. May 14 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm in Corvallis.  For more information, visit the event page.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde: Annual Salmon Fish Ceremony: Join in and check out Tribal and local organization information tables, a demonstration salmon pit, speakers and community ceremony. May 18 from 1:00 to 5:00 in West Linn. For more info, visit the event page.

Conversation Project: The Middle Class and Other Stories about Wealth, Status, and Power: Join Oregon Humanities Executive Director Adam Davis for a conversation that explores what we think and how we talk about class in Oregon and the nation. May 18 from 1:00 to 2:00 in Tillamook. For more info, visit the event page.

In the News

How Oregon is closing the graduation gap for Latinx students

In January, Oregon educators received some encouraging news about graduation rates, particularly for historically underserved students in Oregon, and most notably for Oregon’s Latinx students.

Springfield Family Preserves Mexican & Salvadoran Culture Through Food

For the past 20 years a local nonprofit has helped Lane County immigrants find support and build community through gardening. KLCC’s Melorie Begay caught up with one family that cooks with food they grow as a way to keep their culture alive.

A witness to horror: Auschwitz survivor tells story at OSU event

Stephen Nasser, a Hungarian Jew who was the lone Holocaust survivor among 21 family members, mesmerized a crowd of 750 witnesses Monday night at the La Sells Stewart Center.

The real history of Cinco de Mayo, and how it’s celebrated around the world

Restaurants and watering holes across the country have been stocking up on tequila and taco fixings in preparation for the thousands of Americans who queued up for margarita specials on May 5. Many, however, won’t have a clue what exactly they’re drinking to.

Hey, did you see this?

Burger King spoofs McDonald’s with not-so-happy meals

Burger King is rolling out a new box meal called the “Real Meal.” It’s designed as a play on McDonald’s happy meal, and a way to bring attention to mental illness.

Extension in the news

4-H Wildlife Stewards Summit comes to Kings Valley
Corvallis Gazette-Times
The Oregon State University Extension Service has staged the event for 17 years now with Maggie Livesay implementing the program as the 4-H outreach leader.