OSU Extension Service, Marion County

OSU Extension Service, Marion County 🌱 Local experts on farming, gardening, food preserving & more.
🔬 Research-backed info you can trust.
✏️ Classes, workshops, community.

Oregon State University Extension Service engages the people of Marion County with research-based knowledge and education that strengthen communities and economies, sustain natural resources, and promote healthy families and individuals. Organizational Core Values and Operating Principles

Community-Based - We value community relationships and connect OSU to local people and issues to enhance the

present and future of the people and communities of Oregon. Accountability - We focus on achieving measurable outcomes, and document and communicate the impact and value of our work. Credibility - We deliver relevant, research-based knowledge through our educational programs. Diversity - We exhibit respect, value differing perceptions and world views, and encourage diversity. Partnerships - We collaborate with academic, public, and private partners to achieve greater results and build community capacity. We value the public good that comes from collaborating with volunteers.

05/28/2026

A sleepy bee takes a nap in a blooming rose. 🐝💤🌹
Creating pollinator habitat can be as simple as planting flowers that provide food, shelter, and rest for beneficial insects.
Come learn how to attract and support pollinators in your own landscape at our upcoming workshop!

🌼 Beginner friendly
🦋 Pollinator focused
🌿 Garden inspired

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
🕙 10:30am–12pm
🎟️ Free
📍 Mt. Angel, OR (location details provided upon registration)

Join Oregon State University’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center for a FREE, family-friendly event featurin...
05/26/2026

Join Oregon State University’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center for a FREE, family-friendly event featuring farm tours, equipment displays, gardening tips, food preservation demos, olive oil tasting and more.
 
Explore cutting-edge research in:
 🍓Berries
🌰 Hazelnuts
🌲 Christmas Trees/Forest Management
🌱 Integrated W**d Management
🌞 Agrivoltaics
🪴 Plant Pathology/Nursery
🫒Olives
🥕 Vegetable & Specialty Seeds
🪰 IR-4 Pesticide Registation
🧑‍🌾 Small Farms
🐝 Orchard Bee Association
🌼 Master Gardeners
🥫 Master Food Preservation
 
Hop on a hay wagon tour, meet OSU researchers and Extension experts, and enjoy a BBQ hamburger or hotdog provided by the Canby FFA Alumni. 🌭 🍔

📆 Saturday, May 30, 2026
🕙 10:00am to 1:00pm PDT
📍 North Willamette Research and Extension Center
15210 NE Miley Rd, Aurora OR 97002

Connecting through food, flavor, and community 💚Last night at Mary Eyre Elementary’s multicultural family night, Marion ...
05/23/2026

Connecting through food, flavor, and community 💚

Last night at Mary Eyre Elementary’s multicultural family night, Marion County Extension and 4-H volunteers shared healthy recipes, refreshing infused water samples, and hands-on nutrition ideas with more than 600 attendees! Families enjoyed tasting strawberry + jalapeño infused water, cucumber + lime infused water, and a bright carrot, jicama, and orange salad inspired by Food Hero.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by the table, asked questions, tried something new, and helped make the evening so welcoming and fun. We loved being part of a celebration that brought so many cultures and families together! 🌎🍓🥒🥕

The bright yellow covering parts of the Santiam Canyon right now isn’t wildflowers.It's Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)...
05/15/2026

The bright yellow covering parts of the Santiam Canyon right now isn’t wildflowers.

It's Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), one of the Pacific Northwest’s most aggressive invasive plants.

While it may look beautiful in bloom, Scotch broom is officially classified as a noxious w**d in Oregon… and honestly, its behavior is pretty obnoxious.

It spreads aggressively into disturbed landscapes, crowds out native vegetation, interferes with forest regeneration, and increases wildfire risk due to its highly flammable oils and dense growth.

One plant can produce thousands of seeds, and those seeds may remain viable in soil for decades.

The explosion of Scotch broom throughout the Santiam Canyon is a visible reminder of how quickly invasive species can transform entire landscapes after disturbance.

Learning to identify invasive plants is one small but important step toward protecting native ecosystems in Oregon.

Have you noticed Scotch broom spreading in your area lately?

05/13/2026

Olives might be iconic to Mediterranean landscapes, but with the right knowledge and care, they can also find a place in Oregon’s evolving agricultural scene.

Join us for a workshop designed for the olive-curious who want to better understand what it takes to successfully cultivate olive trees in a nontraditional climate.

This workshop will focus on:
🫒 Growing olives in Oregon
🌳Setting up the Marion Garden’s Olive Grove

Whether you’re considering your first olive tree or looking to improve your current skills, this workshop offers a grounded, realistic approach to growing olives in Oregon.

📅 Saturday, May 23
🕙 10AM–12PM
📍Salem, OR
🎟️ Free

Location details provided upon registration. More info and register for free at beav.es/fg5 (also in bio)

You're invited to join fellow landholders and farm service providers for an evening of learning and networking. Are you ...
05/06/2026

You're invited to join fellow landholders and farm service providers for an evening of learning and networking. Are you a landholder/land steward considering leasing your land to farmers? Aren't sure where to start? Join OSU Mid-Valley Small Farms Program, Oregon Agricultural Trust and of Family Farmers to learn about evaluating your land, building relationships with farmers, contract writing, and more! Landholders will leave knowing the right questions to ask and where to find answers in consideration of leasing their farmland. Light snacks and refreshments are provided.

Marketing an agritourism business is about more than promoting events, it’s about creating experiences people want to co...
05/04/2026

Marketing an agritourism business is about more than promoting events, it’s about creating experiences people want to come back to. 🌿

Whether it’s a farm stand, U-pick, workshop, tour, or seasonal event, strong marketing starts with sharing what makes your farm unique and building real connection with your community.

🌱 Simple marketing strategies
📍 Why your online presence matters
🤝 The value of local partnerships
⭐ How visitor experience becomes word-of-mouth promotion

Want to dive deeper? Read the full article, “Adding Agritourism to Your Farm in Oregon,” at https://beav.es/fSj

Photo Credits: Lynn Ketchum, Betsy Hartley, Audrey Comerford, Tiffany Woods, Josie Noteboom

05/04/2026

What’s one plant you’re hoping to find? 🌱

Address

1320 Capitol Street NE, Ste 110
Salem, OR
97301

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15035885301

Website

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