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.
Category Archives: North Willamette Research and Extension Center
New center establishes endowment in first year
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.
New Intelligent Sprayer Lowers Pesticide Use on Farms
Robin Rosetta (North Willamette Research and Extension Center) has been working with collaborators to develop laser-guided spray equipment that reduces the volume of pesticides used on nursery and orchard crops by up to 77%.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/marion/new-intelligent-sprayer-lowers-pesticide-use-farms
OSU Supports Fast-Growing Local Meat Industry
Lauren Gwin, a food systems specialist with Extension’s Small Farms Program, helps ranchers assess economic viability and navigate regulations for small-scale meat production. Gwin co-founded the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network, which now connects more than 1,000 members. Gwin served as a technical liason to lawmakers and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) concerning a poultry production bill, and wrote a guide on best practices for open-air poultry slaughtering. She also helped the ODA’s food safety division adopt federal regulations that make it easier for small-scale farmers to process poultry in licensed facilities.
http://oregonprogress.oregonstate.edu/summer-2015/getting-meat