Four new online degree programs––Fisheries & Wildlife, Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture, and Environmental Economics & Policy—expand the college’s ability to serve non-traditional students globally.
http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate/
Research at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center and experimental plots near campus continue to provide important R&D for the rapidly growing organic blueberry industry, which increased from 2 percent of Oregon’s blueberry market to 20 percent in the past 8 years.
In its first full year, the Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems established an endowment and raised $230,000 for specific projects through grants, gifts, foundations, and private donations.
Researchers at Malheur Experiment Station are studying Camelina as a source of income for farmers during drought years. Camelina, a source of omega-3 fatty acids and an alternative jet fuel, requires little nitrogen or irrigation.
http://www.cropinfo.net/AnnualReports/2014/2014-036-Camelina.php
Sergio Arispe studies rangeland plant communities, directed toward how grazing affects revegetation following wildfire.
Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center is the site of a new, bond-funded research and teaching facility, being built in collaboration with Blue Mountain Community College.
Nine branch stations now offer learning experiences to students working with faculty mentors in fields ranging from entomology in agroecosystems to product development at the Food Innovation Center. In addition, internship programs at North Willamette and several other stations offer research experience to high school students.
http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/academics/internships/branch-experiment-stations-internship-program
Scientists in the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center are helping landowners draft conservation plans to protect sage grouse and possibly preempt listing of the bird under the Endangered Species Act.
Valtcho Jeliazkov, the new Director of the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center, focusing on improving the sustainability of winter wheat production in the region.
AgSci provided $100K match to help facilitate water heating capability at the Fryer Salmon Disease Lab, which will enable scientists to study climate change impacts on diseases of aquatic species.