OSU Extension

10/30/2026

Good health care starts with clear communication.

OSU Extension is helping bridge language barriers in rural Oregon through a health care interpreter training program developed in partnership with Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization.

The program has enrolled 124 students and achieved a 93% completion rate. Now, the partnership has contributed to EOCCO earning a national Language Access Champion Award.

Read more, find this article under links → links in bio.

10/29/2026

Bats deserve a better reputation.

In honor of Bat Week, Oct. 24-31, we're giving these misunderstood mammals some much-deserved appreciation.

These nighttime neighbors play an important role in Oregon ecosystems, including eating large numbers of insects. And despite common fears, bats generally avoid people.

OSU Extension separates fact from fiction and shares ways to coexist safely with these beneficial mammals.

Read more, find this article under links → links in bio.

10/29/2026

How important is crop insurance to Oregon farmers?

Farming comes with financial risks, from unpredictable weather to unexpected crop losses. Crop insurance helps farmers manage some of that uncertainty, but its benefits vary depending on what they grow and where they farm.

Not all farms participate in the program equally. Farmers who grow fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops are less likely to participate than those growing major commodity crops. Farms that grow several different crops may also need different insurance options.

So, what does crop insurance mean for Oregon agriculture?

Explore how the program works, why participation varies and how Oregon compares with other states.

Read more, find this article under links → links in bio.

10/28/2026

Thinking about planting a tree? A little planning now can make a big difference for years to come.

Choosing a tree is about more than finding one you love. The right location, planting technique and ongoing care all play a role in helping it thrive.

Before you start digging, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose the right spot. Consider sunlight, soil conditions, available space and how large the tree will grow.
- Plant at the right depth. Keep the root collar at ground level or slightly above it.
- Give roots room to grow. Dig a hole wider than the root ball, but avoid planting too deeply.
- Water and mulch properly. New trees need consistent care while their roots become established.

The best time to plant depends on where you live in Oregon, so it's important to consider your local growing conditions.

From selecting the right species to planting, pruning and long-term care, this OSU Extension guide covers what you need to know to give your new tree a healthy start.

Read more, find this article under links → links in bio.

10/27/2026

History, land and community came together at the Letitia Carson Legacy Project's Fruit & Forage Field Day near Corvallis.

The gathering honored the legacy of Letitia Carson, a formerly enslaved Black woman who became one of Oregon's early Black landowners, while introducing participants to efforts to restore land and create opportunities for future generations.

Through partnerships involving Oregon State University, community organizations and land stewards, the project is helping preserve an important part of Oregon's history while looking toward the future.

Read more, find this article under links → links in bio.

10/23/2026

As temperatures drop, you may notice a few uninvited guests heading indoors.

Spiders, beetles and other insects often enter homes looking for protected places to spend the winter. The good news: Most are harmless and don’t reproduce or cause damage indoors.

OSU Extension explains why they show up and offers simple ways to keep them outside.

Read more, find this guide under links → links in bio.

10/23/2026

Are your apples rotting before you even get a chance to pick them?

If your apples are developing spots, rotting on the tree or falling before harvest, apple scab could be the culprit. Apple scab is a common fungal disease, and simply thinning fruit or pruning more won't eliminate it. The good news? There are steps you can take to help manage it.

Start with fall cleanup. Removing infected leaves and fruit from around the tree can help reduce the fungal spores that cause infections the following year. And don't compost diseased plant material.

If apple scab is the cause, preventive treatments need to be timed for spring, before or during periods when infection can occur.

Learn more about identifying apple scab and managing it in your home orchard, under links → links in bio.

10/22/2026

Forget spooky. Bats are pretty amazing! 🦇

This Halloween, let's give Oregon's bats the appreciation they deserve.

A few reasons to love them:
- Oregon is home to 15 bat species.
- They're the only mammals that can truly fly.
- They use sound to navigate and find food in the dark.
- A single little brown bat can eat more than 1,200 mosquitoes in one night!

And they're doing important work for our ecosystems by helping control insect populations.

Want to return the favor? Protecting old trees, reducing pesticide use and providing safe water sources can help support these remarkable animals.

Get to know Oregon's bats, read more, click on links → links in bio.

10/21/2026

How can we better support young people, families and ourselves in an increasingly complex world?

Join nationally recognized author and youth advocate Stephanie Malia Krauss for a conversation about what children and communities need to thrive.

Check out Oregon 4-H's original post below for event details and registration information.

Feeling overwhelmed by constant stress, technology overload, packed schedules, and uncertainty? You're not alone and neither are the young people in your life.

Join nationally recognized author, educator, and youth advocate Stephanie Malia Krauss for Rehumaning Childhood: Our Lives, Caring for Our Kids, Ourselves and a Changing World. Drawing from her new book, How We Thrive, Stephanie will explore the essential human needs that help children, families, educators, and communities flourish in today's complex world.

📅 7 p.m. Keynote
🎟 $15 adults | $5 students
📚 Optional book purchases and VIP reception available

https://beav.es/SMKEvent