Author Archives: dows

April 9, 2019

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In this week’s issue:

4-H program update

From Scott Reed, OSU Extension Director:

Last month, state 4-H program leader Pamela Rose and I shared the outcomes of our 4-H program review, including our priorities going forward and the actions we will take to support those. We committed to provide frequent updates as we work together through this process over the next 90 to 120 days.

The review committee’s work has concluded. I thank them for their time, thoughtfulness, and commitment. Going forward, I have established a steering and implementation team consisting of our six regional directors, who will advise and support Pamela.

  • Pamela, with this team, will develop the plan and implementation strategies, prioritize decisions related to filling county 4-H vacancies, and ensure consistency of the plan and implementation strategies with the priority outcomes and actions we shared with you on March 14.
  • They will consult with Extension’s regional operations coordinator (Marcia Dickson); fiscal officer (Tiffany Gillis), and office of diversity, equity, and inclusion (Ana Lu Fonseca) as well as other OSU individuals and offices as needed.
  • Javier Nieto, dean of the College of Public Health and Human Sciences, and I jointly will approve the plan and implementation strategies.

I also would like to share that another positive outcome of the 4-H program review was identification of best practices we are beginning to apply across other Extension programs. These include establishing an “essential and auxiliary” budget model for Extension administration and programs and re-confirming the value and importance of having a program leader/regional director team working together to support our Extension field faculty and staff.

Please contact me, Pamela, or your regional director at any time with questions, concerns, or suggestions that you may have.

Chicks are hatching

The OSU LIVE Chick-Cam is streaming and chicks are beginning to hatch!  Broadcasting LIVE from the OSU Extension office in Astoria, watch the eggs shake, rattle and roll all week on our live feed!  Yesterday, April 8  the baby chicks began to hatch and you can watch it all happen in real time!  We have three incubators and two cameras catching all of the action!  The cam will be on live all week while we provide lessons on the hatching and brooding of baby chicks.  You can tune in at extension.oregonstate.edu/Clatsop or embed the LIVE feed by tuning in to our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAQE3ZYTmRc

Open Data and Ag Data Commons Webinar

Open data is increasingly becoming a priority and requirement of federal agencies. The National Agricultural Library (NAL) provides a catalog and data repository for all REE funded research through Ag Data Commons.

Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) and Presidents United to Solve Hunger (PUSH) are pleased to host Ms. Erin Antognoli, Metadata Librarian and Ag Data Commons curator, and Dr. Cynthia Parr, Data Management Officer, both with the NAL. In the webinar, they will describe:

    • Ag Data Commons, its purpose, policies, and features
    • Basics of using the repository and catalog to find open research data
    • Specifics of submitting research data as catalog entries
    • Process of uploading REE funded research data
    • Data management planning guidance and
    • support for REE funded projects Register in advance for this webinar

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have any questions about the webinar, feel free to email Anne Mims Adrian, PhD, PUSH Open Data Project Manager, aadrian@auburn.edu

Awards for Excellence event

Celebrate the outreach and engagement work of Oregon State University at the Vice Provost Awards for Excellence on May 2, 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by a hosted reception 5 to 6:30 p.m. (there is no cost to attend). Ten exceptional projects will receive recognition including several from Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, and other colleges and units. The event is in the Memorial Union (MU) Ballroom. Outreach and engagement is essential to OSU’s land grant mission. You are encouraged to attend. Last day to register for the event is April 22.

Extension Web Update

Knowing what everyone’s role is related to Extension’s digital strategy and new Extension website can give confidence in figuring out how best to contribute, and where to find support. Read this week’s blog post to learn where you fit in.

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

27th Annual Powwow- Southern Oregon University: The Native American Student Union will host the 27th annual powwow April 13 and 14  in Ashland. For more information, visit the event page.

NW Filipino American Student Alliance Conference 2019: -Celebrating 25 Years of Tulay: The NW Filipino American Student Alliance (NWFASA) invites you to their 24 annual conference hosted by Isang Bansang Pilipino at Oregon State University, celebrating a true milestone as NWFASA enters its 25th year anniversary as an organization. April 12 – 14 in Corvallis, for more information visit the event page.

Redefining Masculinity – A Panel Discussion: Join the PSU Women’s Resource Center as they cultivate conversation, connection, and understanding around definitions of masculinity and how they interact with masculinity socially, personally, and systemically every day. This panel discussion stemmed from the viewing of “The Mask You Live In” & expanded to a need for a community dialogue. April 16 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

Conversation Project: Where Are Queer People Welcome?: Join facilitator Jill Winsor in a discussion that explores how the complexity of the queer community intersects with the spaces and communities that surround us. April 18 from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm in Coos Bay. For more information, visit the event page.

Secrets of the brain: The science of implicit bias and its impact on health: Our brains receive millions of pieces of information about our surroundings every moment. To cope, we take mental shortcuts based on social norms, life experiences and stereotypes. While such shortcuts can keep us safe, they can also lead to unintended harm. Dr. Guise shares research about how recognizing and managing our implicit biases is key to positive relationships, professional effectiveness and good health. April 18 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Parks and Nature puts Equity Action Plan into action

Earlier this month Metro’s Parks and Nature Department approved its Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and posted it to Metro’s website.

Science has to do better for its queer, trans and non-binary students 

I came out as non-binary in the second year of my Ph.D. program at Oregon State University, and began using they/them pronouns in professional settings. Despite the fact that, at face value, I “fit in” as part of the small university town with mostly white, middle class, progressive and highly educated citizens, I still felt isolated.

3 Companies Trying to Solve the Workplace Diversity Gap

When it comes to building a strong workforce, filling open positions is really only the first step.

Woodburn leader joins board for diversity

Collins Foundation appoints CAPACES Leadership Institute of Woodburn’s executive director to its board

Helping the Vulnerable and the Marginalized 

When the mysterious illness HIV first emerged as a public health threat, scientists and health officials knew they had work to do. Researchers in Oregon State’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences have established a Sexual and Reproductive Health Equity Consortium to continue the mission.

New Media Center Open House

The Faculty Media Center soft-launch Open House will debut our new faculty media support resources. It will be a great opportunity to meet other folks on campus who are using media in their teaching/training and to grab a few appetizers! Stop by to meet our support team, learn about our studio spaces, instructional consulting services and ways media can be used to engage your learners. We look forward to seeing you at the Faculty Media Center – Kidder Hall 100! *If you can’t make the Open House, we’d love to setup a private tour with you and share what we’re up to.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit Student Multimedia Studio in the Valley Library 2035, too!  SMS will be showcasing support services for students producing & presenting academic media assignments and research. Learn about their peer-to-peer support model and check out the collaborative media studio, equipment loan and printing resources.

Extension in the news

Daylong session for teachers focuses on getting ready for outdoor school
The Argus Observer
The two-day event was hosted by Malheur Education Service District and Oregon State University Extension Service, which presented the Outdoor School program.

Tree School Clackamas teaches love for the land
Clackamas Review
This event marked the 29th annual Tree School Clackamas since its inception in 1991 by the Oregon State University Extension Service in Clackamas County.

April 2, 2019

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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)

Register for Awards for Excellence event

Celebrate the outreach and engagement work of Oregon State University at the Vice Provost Awards for Excellence on May 2, 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by a hosted reception 5 to 6:30 p.m. (there is no cost to attend). Ten exceptional projects will receive recognition including several from Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, and other colleges and units. The event is in the Memorial Union (MU) Ballroom. Outreach and engagement is essential to OSU’s land grant mission. You are encouraged to attend. Last day to register for the event is April 22.

Extension Web Update

A complete, searchable guide to the Extension Website is now available online.

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 Announcements

2019 Grand Ronde Education Summit

Regsiter for this summit for the opportunity to learn about Grand Ronde history, newly developed K-12 Native based curriculum from Grand Ronde and other Oregon tribes, Senate Bill 13, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Sovereignty, Native languages in the classroom,  and equity. The summit will be a full day on the 24th and a half day on the 25th. Teachers can earn PDU’s, recieve materials and resources for their classrooms and walk away with a new found knowledge of tribal history and the confidence to teach native curriculum in their classrooms. Fo rmore information, visit the registration page.

Events & Resources

The Native Perspective Missing from Design: As much as Native and Native-influenced imagery turns up in apparel, graphic design, product design, and elsewhere, most of these images and themes are been appropriated. There’s a chronic dearth of Native designers or influencers involved in creation. We’re unpacking the systems that made these images possible… April 10 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Portland. For more info visit the event page.

April Nature Night: Recreation for Everyone: Join Dr. Ashley D’Antonio in a discussion about who is recreating on our public lands, who is missing from these outdoor spaces, and what science can, and can’t, tell us about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor recreation. April 16 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in Bend. For more information, visit the event page.

Conversation Project: Where Are Queer People Welcome?: Join facilitator Jill Winsor in a discussion that explores how the complexity of the queer community intersects with the spaces and communities that surround us. April 18 from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm in Coos Bay. For more information, visit the event page.

Secrets of the brain: The science of implicit bias and its impact on health: Dr. Guise shares research about how recognizing and managing our implicit biases is key to positive relationships, professional effectiveness and good health. April 18 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

Conversation Project: What Are You? Mixed-Race and Interracial Families in Oregon’s Past and Future: Dmae Roberts, who has written essays and produced film and radio documentaries about being a biracial Asian American in Oregon, leads a discussion of heritage that goes beyond checking one race on US Census forms. April 19 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Woodburn. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Encouraging Latino leadership
Grant money will help CAPACES Leadership Institute develop and sustain more public service from area Latinos.

Female CEOs proliferate in Oregon tech, though industry remains overwhelmingly male
“I didn’t feel that being a female should hold me back from moving up in my career and so I’ve always approached situations that way.”

Two Eugene Area Women Provide Medical Care At The Border
A team of medical providers from Oregon and Washington recently returned from McAllen, Texas where they volunteered at a respite center administered by Catholic Charities. The center, which serves about 300 refugees per day, provides shelter and basic services, including medical care, to migrants who’ve been detained at the U.S. Mexico border.

For The First Time, U.S. Census To Collect Responses In Arabic Among 13 Languages
Speakers of Arabic — one of the fastest-growing languages in the U.S. — will have one fewer barrier to participating in the upcoming 2020 census.

On Cesar Chavez Day, a look at the labor leader’s complex legacy
Though strong unionization among farm workers in the U.S. has not lasted, Chavez changed farmers’ lives and created a model for mobilization.

Hey, did you see this?

EESC’s publications team recently switched allegiances from Chicago Manual of Style to Associated Press Style, which puts us in line with university guidelines. But even with thousands of entries, these two books can leave us wanting when it comes to some important issues. Here are three resources that fill in the gaps:

The Diversity Style Guide: More than 700 inclusive entries offering “guidance, context, and nuance for media professionals.”

Conscious Style Guide: In-depth discussions on ability, age, appearance, gender, and more.

Editors of Color: We like the Database of Diverse Databases

Extension in the news

OSU Extension partners with growers to bring hands-on wheat education to 4-H members
Capital Press
Oregon State University Extension Service partnered with Oregon Wheat Growers League members from Jefferson, Crook and Deschutes counties to create a unit on producing and processing wheat for more than 100 OSU Extension 4-H members at Metolius Elementary School in Jefferson County in 2017 and 2018.

Column | On the Farm: Garden Starts, Oregon Legislature
Gales Creek Journal
Here’s an excerpt (slightly edited) from my written testimony. I am putting it into my column to share with readers the incredible value of Oregon State University Extension and the other public service programs of Oregon Universities.

Are You Throwing Money on Your Vineyard Floor?
Growing Produce
An Associate Professor and Viticulture Extension Specialist at Oregon State University (OSU), Patty Skinkis realizes the value of crop management. But growers can overdo it.

Time left to plant trees in southern Willamette Valley before spring bloom
The Register-Guard
“We are at the tail end of planting season,” said Lauren Grand, forester with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Lane County. ”… In western Oregon, plant trees between November and April. This gives trees a better fighting chance. You want to plant trees before they bud out and start pulling resources from their roots. This decreases the stress they experience from being planted.”

‘We want this to grow’
The Argus Observer
The event was a cooperative effort of the Oregon State University Extension Service and Treasure Valley Community College Agriculture Department.

March 26, 2019

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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)

Shorten URLs with beav.es

Ever have a Web URL that seems way too long to communicate? Now you can shorten your URLs with Oregon State University’s own URL shortener at https://beav.es. You must have signed up to use DUO 2-step login before using this feature. Much like popular shortener bit.ly, you log in, paste your long URL, and click “Shrink it!” The result will give you a short URL beginning with OSU’s signature “https://beav.es/.” You can track clicks as well.

Short URLs may be most useful to promote events, or on posters, flyers, other printed communications, and in email and social media posts.

Extension Web Update

In this week’s digital strategy blog post, the web team did a quick roundup of tips we’ve shared since the new year. Skim through these 10 tips to see if there’s some you can use when managing content in the coming months.

Registration open for annual OSU Brand Symposium

University Relations and Marketing has announced registration is open for the annual OSU Brand Symposium to be held on Tuesday, April 16, at The LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus in Corvallis. National leaders will discuss topics such as trends in digital marketing, using marketing and communications to interrupt systems of oppression and leveraging thought leadership to gain visibility. Anyone in Outreach and Engagement that would like to learn more about marketing, branding, and become more fluent in the OSU brand is welcome to attend. Cost is $30 (includes lunch and light refreshments).

Your Faculty Senate

Sergio Arispe, elected Faculty Senate representative, asks what issues you would like to see addressed in future Faculty Senate meetings. Please take the time to note any issues by logging into the spreadsheet in Box, by April 4th. Contact Sergio with any questions.

Engagement Approaches webinar April 10th

Engaged Program Development Approaches for Cooperative Extension webinar, presented by eXtension, April 10, 2019, 11 a.m. PDT. We talk about engagement, but what does it mean when we think about how we conduct our work in Extension? How should we approach program planning in an engaged manner? Who should we include in our work? And how does our work change? During this interactive session we will explore answers to these questions based on ongoing research and experiences in this area. Register here.

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

Different Strokes: A Panel on Hidden Pan-African Histories: Join PSU Pan-African for a conversation with community activists to center significant contributions, movements, and culture that isn’t widely considered in Black history. April 3rd in Portland from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. For more information, visit the event page.

April Lunch & Learn: The Race Tool Kit: This presentation is an overview of the REC’s Race Tool Kit. The Racial Equity Coalition (REC) understands how difficult it is to have honest conversations about race. The Race Tool Kit Project was created to offer folks an opportunity to host race conversations with neighbors and friends.  April 5th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in Medford. For more information, visit the event page.

Family Acceptance Project: Family Support for LGBTQ Youth: This training is designed for teachers, behavioral health providers, peer support providers, faith leaders, doctors, and community members who want to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth. Learn about the Family Acceptance Project, the world’s first research, intervention, education and policy initiative that helps diverse families learn to support their LGBTQ children to prevent serious health risks and promote well-being. April 5th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm in Eugene. For more information, visit the event page.

2019 Lane Community College Annual Pow Wow: LCC Native American Student Association is pleased to bring back the Annual Pow Wow which  is a free family-friendly event and is open to the public. April 6th from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm in Eugene. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Diversity Is Central to This Research Program. How Does Yours Compare?
“Through intense, hands-on, carefully mentored training that demonstrates what a diversity program can do.”

Nepalese Cultural Night
Live music, mouthwatering food and boisterous conversation beckoned people from all walks of life to come celebrate Nepalese art and tradition at Portland State. Every winter term, the Nepalese Student Association (NSA), one of the many student organizations at PSU, hosts the Nepalese Cultural Night.

The Feminist of Pleasure Tech
A woman in business. A woman in tech. A woman in sex tech. If Lora Haddock was looking to confront institutionalized sexism, she could not have found a more direct route than the one she has walked this year.

North Bend High School completes mandatory training required by settlement
The settlement from May of 2018 was the result of former North Bend High School Principal Bill Lucero using the Bible as punishment on a student, as well as other allegations surrounding inaction to support LGBTQ students.

United Airlines becomes first airline to add non-binary gender booking options
Welcome aboard, Mx! United Airlines announced Friday that it is now offering new gender options to accommodate non-binary passengers during the booking process. It is the first airline to do so.

Hey, did you see this?

Master knitter and spinner Janet Donnelly, from EESC, says Extension folks may like this book from OSU Press:

Raw Material: Working Wool in the West, by Stephany Wilkes
We’ve all heard about people who give up office jobs to farm vegetables, but Stephany Wilkes has a different story. She was a knitter who simply wanted to buy locally sourced skeins of yarn. Fast forward a few years and hundreds of back-breaking ruminant wrestling matches later, and Wilkes abandons her job in high tech to become a certified sheep shearer. Her book includes some eye-opening discussions of trade, infrastructure, and carbon farming, along with profiles of the people working to revive an old way of life.

Extension in the news

Klamath County Extension Service District details plans for new building
Herald and News
The Klamath County Extension Service District plans to build and move into a new location near Klamath Community College by fall 2020.

Garden Plots: Time to prep vegetable beds for Spring
The Chronicle Online
Chip Bubl talks frost, moonlight, sun, water and vegetables.

Alpenrose’s future uncertain, could impact dairy industry
Capital Press
Lisbeth Goddik, a dairy processing specialist at Oregon State University Extension Service, said that diversity is unique in Oregon, with so many mid-size dairy processors such as Alpenrose in Portland, Umpqua Dairy in Roseburg, Lochmead Dairy near Eugene and Eberhard’s Dairy in Redmond.

Grandin to take part in grazing conference
Capital Press
The same day includes a demonstration of low-stress livestock handling, led by Chris Schnachtschneider, livestock and rangeland specialist at Oregon State University Extension, with comments from Grandin.

Gardening Q&A: Best to prune blueberry bush while dormant
The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
See this Oregon State University Extension video on mulching and fertilizing blueberries.

March 19, 2019

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In this week’s issue:

Wasco 4-H Robotics advances to VEX World Finals

System Overload: Ian Castaneda, Hayden Jacobsen, and Jack McCallister

Congratulations to Wasco 4-H Robotics team System Overload for advancing to the VEX Robotics World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, April 24-27.

Students Ian Castaneda, Hayden Jacobsen, and Jack McAllister won the Middle School Robotics excellence award at the Oregon VEX Robotics State Championship March 9 earning a seat in the upcoming VEX World Finals Competition.

The competition is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest robotics competition on earth with more than 11,500 of the best VEX Competition teams, leading technology companies, and volunteers at the competition.

Congratulations on your win over 66 other teams at State, and we wish you well in your fundraising stage before your competition next month.

4-H update meeting recordings available

Links to the recordings from the recent 4-H update Zoom meetings are now available.

Over the past several months, a comprehensive review of the OSU Extension 4-H program has been conducted involving OSU leaders, representatives of the Association of Oregon Counties, and 4-H stakeholders. That review identified priority 4-H outcomes. Going forward, OSU is committed to implement a 4-H programming and staffing framework that will serve those outcomes. On March 14, OSU Extension Director Scott Reed and 4-H Program Leader Pamela Rose held two web meetings to share updates and next steps. Links to the recordings from those meetings are now available.

Zoom meeting for 4-H faculty and staff (March 14, 1:30 p.m.)

Zoom meeting for OSU Extension faculty and staff (March 14, 4 p.m.)

Do do DUO

If you haven’t attended a DUO (two-step login to protect your OSU account) webinar yet, please join a 30 minute webinar – What is DUO? Why is it being implemented? Who will be required to use it, and how?

Here is a schedule of upcoming DUO webinars to choose from:

  • Wednesday, March 20 at 10am
  • Thursday, March 21 at 2pm

The WebEx link to join any of the webinar sessions is the same:

https://oregonstate.webex.com/meet/villegavoregonstate.edu

For more information about DUO, visit: http://duo.oregonstate.edu

Two College of Education speaker events this week

Dr. Vasti Torres will be speaking Thursday, March 21, on the link between identity and learning for Latino Students, see details. Later in the day, she will speak on organizing for student success in higher education, details.

Lindsey Davis presents at JCEP

quote from presentation
Check out Lindsey’s presentation on office culture at the Extension Leadership Conference.  JCEP ELC Session – Extension UNCENSORED by Lindsey Davis https://youtu.be/XfOE-3ROFnk

.

Extension Web Update

Instead of a blog post this week, the web team continues its work on: getting the county page focus area designs ready, finalizing the instructional training guide, and revising the roles and responsibilities. We will be reaching out to Extension faculty and staff to view and review these soon. Stay tuned!

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

The Chinese in Astoria: ENCORE, in conjunction with the Clatsop County Historical Society (CCHS), presents a public program on the subject of the Chinese in Astoria. The program will start with an overview by Erhard Gross on the history of Chinese immigrants in Oregon. March 24th from 2:30pm to 4:00 in Astoria, for more information visit the event page.

Power, Privilege & Racial Diversity in OR: Many Oregonians value racial diversity and the dimension and depth it adds to our lives, yet we remain largely isolated from one another and have yet to fulfill the vision of a racially integrated society. Join Dr. Emily Drew, as they lead a disccusion about power, privilege and race in Oregon. April 3rd from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm in Corvallis. For more information, visit the event page.

Queer Coffee House at the Library: Queer Coffee House at the Library is a community group for LGBTQ+ identified people and their allies that meets on the first Saturday of every month. This is an open group that gathers to share coffee, snacks, news, LGBTQ+ books, and discussion. April 6th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Ashland. For more information visit the event page.

13th Annual African American Youth Leadership Conference: This conference will promote positive youth development in African/African American youth and multicultural youth of African descent by: raising awareness on how to achieve personal goals, emphasizing the value of education, empowering future leadership (responsibility), establishing a sense of community , increasing personal self-esteem and affirm cultural awareness. April 9th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in Albany. For more information, visit the event page.

In the News

Excitement Grows For Culturally Inclusive Indigenous Curriculum For Oregon Schools
Oregon educators and tribes are excited about new state mandated curriculum as its being developed. It fulfills Senate Bill 13, which requires the state’s department of education to create course material that’s culturally inclusive and relevant to Oregon’s 9 federally recognized tribes.

NW Parents Challenge Schools’ Handling Of Students With Disabilities
Thousands of times a year, Oregon and Washington students have been physically restrained or isolated from peers. Parents say what’s meant as a last resort happens too often, without their knowledge.

Study Finds Racial Gap Between Who Causes Air Pollution And Who Breathes It
Pollution, much like wealth, is not distributed equally in the United States.

How Ethnic Studies Connects Learning With Students’ Identities
In Jr Arimboanga’s ninth-grade classroom, students learn about critical consciousness: how to read the word, but also the world. It’s a concept popularized by a Brazilian educational theorist named Paulo Freire in his book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

Hey, did you see this?

Have you seen or read something that would be of interest to your Extension colleagues? Let us know and we’ll share in ConnEXTion.

Extension in the news

Identify the problem before treating a struggling plant
Newport News Times
… giving it enough water or putting a sun-loving plant in the shade, said Neil Bell, horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service.

Winchester Elementary Gets Blue Zones Project Approval
KQEN News Radio
Integrating Nutrition Education into daily lesson plans with help from the Oregon State University Extension Service.

Self-Preservation: Preservation ideas for rhubarb lovers
The Philomath Express
You can find more details in “Preserving Rhubarb” SP 50-882 published by OSU Extension Service and found at extension.oregonstate.edu/food/preservation.

Hazelnut growers hustle to repair orchards after Willamette Valley snowstorm
The Register-Guard
Throughout Lane County, “the trees look like a bomb went off” where the storm hit hardest, said Melissa Fery, who advises small farm operators for the OSU Extension in Lane County.

March 12, 2019

Posted on by

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)

ESC Conference seeks proposals

The Engagement Scholarship Consortium seeks proposals for its 2019 conference, Deepening Our Roots: Advancing Community Engagement in Higher Education. The conference will be held October 8 and 9, 2019 (Pre-Conference: October 6-7, 2019) in Denver, Colorado.

Proposals for presentations are due Friday, March 15, 2019. For detailed submission guidelines, visit the conference website.

OSU updates cannabis policy, research guidance

The 2018 Farm Bill, which became law in December, decriminalized industrial hemp. As a result, Oregon State University recently updated its policies and guidance regarding cannabis – the plant from which hemp is derived.

Please familiarize yourself with these new guiding documents. For questions, contact Sam Angima. All media questions about cannabis or industrial hemp should be continue to be directed to Jay Noller.

The new “University Policies Regarding Cannabis” includes this paragraph:

Oregon State University will hold OSU Extension Service and 4-H volunteers accountable to federal laws and University policies while performing duties on behalf of the university. OSU Extension Services will not provide instruction regarding how to grow, manufacture, distribute or dispense marijuana. Guidance on extension policy for providing instruction on industrial hemp can be found at: https://research.oregonstate.edu/cannabis-research

The new “Oregon State University Guidance on Cannabis Research and Outreach Activities” includes a section on outreach and Extension related to cannabis:

Until both federal and state laws concur on the cultivation of cannabis within Oregon, OSU cannot provide instruction on how to grow, manufacture or dispense, which includes the provision of diagnostic services, recommendations and/or other information regarding the production, management and/or processing of marijuana. At this time, OSU personnel, including student interns, will not engage in any outreach or Extension activity that supports marijuana production, should refrain from being in possession of marijuana for diagnostic purposes, and should not visit sites for the purpose of providing any information or assistance regarding the cultivation of cannabis plants for marijuana production.

Under the Farm Bill of 2018, Extension service will be permitted to provide information to farmers cultivating hemp who are registered with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). Extension Service will provide its policies and procedures related to industrial hemp.

Questions from non-OSU marijuana or hemp growers may be referred to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) which regulate other aspects of the marijuana industry and links may be provided to their websites. We can also refer them to the ODA website on ‘cannabis and pesticides’. https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/Pesticides/Pages/CannabisPesticides.aspx.” For testing or registration of pesticides, refer them to ODA.

 A large percentage of Extension Service questions relate to pesticide use recommendations and safety.  Although Federal law prohibits talking about marijuana specifically, OSU personnel can answer general crop questions that are also relevant to non-marijuana crops, such as what types of pesticides are safe to use on plants grown for human consumption, what types of insecticides are effective on a variety of crops for controlling a specific pest, or what type of protective personal gear should be worn when handling pesticides.

OSU’s Cannabis Working Group advises that regulations related to hemp continue to change and the OSU policy and guidance documents will be updated as regulations evolve.

Extension Web Update

In this week’s blog post “Keeping an Eye on Content” we share ways to leverage current efforts to also create content for the Extension website. Keeping content fresh on the site, however, can also mean taking another look at what is already there to expand how we are engaging all audiences.

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

Diversity & Leadership: Respect in the Workplace: Attendees will understand and recognize the need to remember most employees have good intentions but there is a lack of awareness when your group is in dominance. March 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 in Bend. For info, visit the event page.

India Night 2019: There’s an amazing line-up of performances this year that will be highlighting the beautiful diversity of Indian culture here at OSU. April 13 starting at 5:00 in Corvallis. For more info, visit the event page.

Chuck Collins: “Reversing Wealth Inequality”: Is there a path to reversing inequality without undermining economic health and prosperity?  What is the role of taxation in reducing concentrated wealth and expanding opportunity?  How do we build an economy that works for everyone? Find out April 17 from 7:30 to 9:30 in Eugene. For more information, visit the event page.

26th Annual Pow Wow: Western Oregon University will host a Pow-Wow that includes a dance competition as well as a dinner. The dance competition is open to tiny tots, teens, men and women. The categories include fancy dancing, traditional dancing, grass dancing and jingle dancing. April 27 starting at 12:00 pm in Monmouth, for more information visit the event page.

In the News

Woman To Woman  Paying it forward with the Source’s Woman of the Year

Erika McCalpine, a business instructor at OSU-Cascades, moved to this community in early 2018 from Alabama. Not long after, McCalpine experienced at least one racial incident that left her feeling vulnerable. McCalpine’s ability to transform a personally frightening racial incident into an opportunity to have community conversations around diversity is just one reason I reached out to her for the Women’s Issue.

Why We Need to Talk About—and Recognize—Representation Burnout

I remember the first time I felt like the only one. I was galavanting on a playset, probably at the age of six, when another kid came up to me and asked me why my skin was the color of poop. I don’t remember my response, but I do remember feeling flush with shame and not understanding why. I also remember immediately walking away, as if I knew then what I know now: being the only black person in the room is pretty exhausting.

Another Obstacle for Women in Science: Men Get More Federal Grant Money

For ambitious young scientists trying to start their own research labs, winning a prestigious grant from the National Institutes of Health can be career making.

But when it comes to the size of those awards, men are often rewarded with bigger grants than women, according to a study published Tuesday in JAMA, which found that men who were the principal investigators on research projects received $41,000 more than women.

A Reason to Hope in Alzheimer’s fight fundraiser held

Hundreds of people had a reason to hope Tuesday morning at the annual Alzheimer’s Association fundraising breakfast.

People heard inspiring stories from those battling the disease.

Hey, did you see this?

Any fun ideas for spring break? Send us your tips…..

Extension in the news

OSU Extension training cuts school pesticide use
KTVZ
An OSU Extension Service survey was conducted in 2016 at school integrated pest management training sessions hosted by the OSU Extension across the state. An analysis of the results was published recently in the Journal of Extension.

Surviving the storm: Tips to help your plants recover from snow damage
The Register-Guard
OSU Horticulturist Extension Agents Heather Stoven and Neil Bell have some tips for gardeners and homeowners about how to mitigate the damage, what it means for the plants and how snow even can be a positive thing.

New building expected to improve agriculture education at fairgrounds
The Redmond Spokesman
Ground was recently broken on a $1.6 million building for the Oregon State University Extension’s Deschutes office. The 5,188-square-foot building will go alongside the existing building, which was opened in 2003.

Makeover planned for Benton fairgrounds
Albany Democrat-Herald
Other major facilities proposals include creating a new building to house OSU Extension Service offices.

March 5, 2019

Posted on by

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)

Extension Web Update

Find out a bit about Mark Kindred, the new O & E Salesforce programmer. Read our blog for more details.

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

Disability Training…with a Twist!: Clackamas Workforce Partnership’s Workforce Equity Council and Oregon Commission for the Blind are happy to partner for this exciting, free event, Disability Awareness Training. March 22 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in Milwaukie. For more information, visit the event page.

Diversity & Leadership: Respect in the Workplace: Attendees will understand and recognize the need to remember most employees have good intentions but there is a lack of awareness when your group is in dominance. March 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 in Bend. For more information, visit the event page.

Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and the Fight for Justice: Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and the Fight for Justice, tells the story of Minoru (Min) Yasui. The son of Japanese immigrant parents, Yasui was born in 1916 and raised in the farming community of Hood River, Oregon. He was the first Japanese American attorney in Oregon, and during World War II, he initiated the first legal test challenging the forced removal from the West Coast and subsequent incarceration of over 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry in U.S. concentration camps.  March 28 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm in Portland. For more information, visit the event page.

Family Acceptance Project: Family Support for LGBTQ Youth: This training is designed for teachers, behavioral health providers, peer support providers, faith leaders, doctors, and community members who want to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth. April 5 from from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm in Eugene. For more information visit the event page.

In the News

Corvallis food deserts make finding nutritious, affordable meals difficult

Although there are dining centers and food markets on almost every street on Oregon State University’s campus, the rest of Corvallis has areas struggling to find affordable sources of sustenance.

Womxn’s March Returns to Downtown Portland, Seeking Diversity and Solidarity After Two Years of Tensions

Handmaids in red costumes were asked to pose for photos. Grandmothers walked arm-in-arm with their granddaughters.

Everyday Heroes: Oregon clinicians and Portland nonprofit provide free services to vets

Two Gresham doctors are providing free medical care for post-9/11 military veterans through a nonprofit organization called the Returning Veterans Project.

Walmart Chief Responds To Furor Over Treatment Of Greeters With Disabilities

Walmart’s U.S. CEO Greg Foran is telling all store managers that they should make “every effort” to provide new job options for greeters with disabilities. Many of these front-door workers remain in limbo as the company plans to eliminate its trademark greeter position in about 1,000 stores in coming months.

Nearly 2 in 3 US kids lives in ‘asset poverty’

A new study from Oregon State University (OSU) found that more than 63 percent of American children and 55 percent of Americans live in “asset” poverty, meaning they have few or no assets to rely on in the event of a financial shock such as a job loss, natural disaster or medical crisis.

Hey, did you see this?

Any fun ideas for spring break? Send us your tips…..

Extension in the news

Conference to focus on agritourism, ecotourism
Capital Press
Local experts and national leaders will speak at a conference hosted by Oregon State University Extension Service focused on developing agritourism and ecotourism.

Jumping worms may pose threat in Nebraska
Rapid City Journal
Oregon State University Extension professor Samuel Chan, who’s studied the worms, said it’s difficult to determine what financial impact the worms could have on Nebraska’s agriculture, given that they would be a relatively new invasive species in the state.

February 26, 2019

Posted on by

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.

February 19, 2019

Posted on by

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.”

February 12, 2019

Posted on by

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.

February 5, 2019

Posted on by

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.