Vanda Winegar, 14 with the banana nut bread which she made in 4-H, Redmond Deschutes County, Oregon, 1961

We’re serving up some treats … Head to the center of our great state with this set to celebrate the Extension Centennial, Flickr-style! Full of fun images from Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties, the Extension in Central Oregon set shows the work, play, and marvelous range of things to eat in these counties.

Lynne Breese with campers at 4-H Camp, Crook County, 1986

This is an old one! According to the (Oregon Historical County Records Guide, “Crook County was established on October 24, 1882. It was created from the southern part of Wasco County and named after U.S. Army Major-General George Crook, a hero of the Snake Indian Wars.” OSU Extension Service was established in Crook County in 1914. “The Extension Service is a part of Oregon State University and provides lifelong learning opportunities in the areas of Agriculture, 4H/Youth Development, Families and Community Development, Forestry, Horticulture, Leadership Development and Marine/Fisheries” (Crook County Extension Office).

Redmond Potato Show, Deschutes County, 1915

Named for the river that flows through the county, “Deschutes” comes from the phrase Riviere des Chutes, which was used by early fur traders and means “River of the Falls.” Deschutes County was created from the western portion of Crook County in 1916. The county seat is in Bend, a name that is derived from “Farewell Bend,” a designation “used by early pioneers to refer to the location along the Deschutes River where the town eventually was platted” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). The chief industries are tourism, timber, and agriculture (mainly cattle and potatoes) and the County Extension Office reflects this with its focus on 4-H, family & home, farms & acreage, forestry & natural resources, and home garden & landscape.

Jefferson Seed Growers Association sprayer truck in parade 1949, Farm Machinery

Another portion of Crook split in 1914 to form Jefferson County. “The county was named after Mount Jefferson, the second highest peak in Oregon with an elevation of 10,497 feet, which marks the county’s western skyline” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). There is a lot going on in Jefferson County! According to the Oregon Historical County Records Guide for Jefferson, the main industries are agriculture, forest products, and recreation. “The fertile North Unit Irrigation District in the central part of the county produces seed, potatoes, hay, and mint. The eastern part of the county has dry wheat farming and grazing land for cattle, and the western part is timber country. Warm Springs Forest Product Industries and Kah-Nee Ta Vacation Resort, owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, provide many jobs in the area. The reservation is located on portions of land in four counties including 236,082 acres in the northwestern corner of Jefferson County” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). What about Extension? “Extension has been part of Jefferson County since 1935, providing the community with research-based knowledge and education. Educational programs are provided in the areas of 4-H youth, agriculture, small acreages, home and commercial landscape, livestock and range, family and community development and leadership training” (Jefferson County Extension Office).