Oregon State University Extension Service
METRO CONNECTION
Drone photo over Forest Grove taken in May showing urban meeting rural in Washington Co.
July 2019
News, events and educational articles for our partners, community leaders, volunteers, friends and family
Washington County Extension in Beaverton 503-821-1150
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Master Gardener Hours:
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
Extension in Portland
4-H; Family and Community Health Programs only
A Message from our Regional Director Angela Sandino

Serving as the Metro Regional Extension Director for these nine months has been a great privilege. Before joining this wonderful organization last year, I knew relatively little about OSU Extension other than the beloved Master Gardener and 4-H programs. There is a renewed effort in place to better impart Extension’s story and share our impressive accomplishments with larger audiences in our community so that more people can learn about and from us.

Being part of Extension’s unique educational system, where community members partake in classes and opportunities to learn research-based skills and knowledge in a wide variety of settings, continues to be an eye opener. To most of our community, the complexities of our operations are behind the scenes. Some aspects are intended to be that way, while others could be better exposed. The time and dedication put forth by our dedicated volunteers helps create the strength and balance that keeps our programs running smoothly, while our talented faculty and staff give back to our communities sharing their skills and knowledge in many ways that benefit our local cities and surrounding rural areas. Click here to continue reading.
Inner City Youth Institute camp success!

Tyra, one of 20 9th- to 12 th -grade students reflected on her recent camping trip, “Going up to Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center was a fun experience because I learned about the great volcano and more about the Forest Service. I want to be in the Forest Service someday, so going on trips like this and finding out more helps get my foot in the door to do something I want to be part of someday.” 
 
The east Portland students spent two nights and three days at the annual Inner City Youth Institute (ICYI) camp shortly after the last day of school. They worked alongside U.S. Forest Service and Mount St. Helen's Institute staff to learn about the 1980s Mount St. Helen’s eruption, the ongoing research and public education effort that stemmed from the eruption, and the multitude of career opportunities in natural resources and forestry.
 
ICYI leaders and students send a huge thank you to the sponsors of this camp – U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, and the Mount St. Helen's Institute  –  for a wonderful experience and fantastic opportunity for our youth. See more photos here .
Each month Metro Connection will introduce a member of our Metro Extension Advisory Board called Regional Extension Citizen Advisory Network - RECAN. Members learn about Extension work and share grass roots trends and needs from their lens and aide us in evaluating our work and planning how best to use our partnerships to reach and serve local communities. We are grateful for their time, ideas and service as Extension advocates.
We'd like you to meet Becky Bittner

Born and raised in Hollywood, Calif., Becky Bittner is a long way from home. Now, the lifelong outdoor lover spends her free time hiking, camping and rowing in the Pacific Northwest, and workdays sharing her passion for the local ecosystem with curious youth. As a knowledge exchange forester for the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Bittner helps scientists communicate their research. A large part of that work entails developing programs that will make emerging science accessible to Oregon, Washington and Alaska students, from kindergarten through high school.

Bittner partners with Oregon State University Extension and Bureau of Land Management to bring science to life through the Inner City Youth Institute, which offers programming to students interested in the natural sciences. Students participating in the programs are usually part of a natural resources or environmental sciences club at their schools, and are given the opportunity for safe outdoor educational experiences and mentorships with professionals in the field. Click here to read more about Becky!
Jazzy White at Beaverton Book Corner

Jazzy White visited the Beaverton Book Corner in May where she partnered with 4-H to host their first ‘Read to a Pet’ event. Jazzy recently passed a Socialized PetPALS test with Noodles, her Siamese mix cat and became a 4-H Youth Animal Learning Team. Four young people practiced their reading skills and read to Noodles.
The Totes are in! 

The new OSU Extension Healthy Living recyclable totes now available for $1 at the Washington Extension office in Beaverton or Extension events. Pick one up today!
Get Out There Videos

Check out our new Out There videos featuring a variety of Extension program themes in short clips: youth outreach, healthy living, food production and food resiliency, and thriving communities. Be sure to turn up your volume! Also coming soon in Spanish with captioning.     
UPCOMING EVENTS
Small Farm School is July 18!

This is a full-day event in Oregon City, with hands-on workshops and classroom sessions for beginning and small-scale commercial farmers. This year will include a dairy track with sessions on nutrition and grazing for dairy animals, milk handling, and starting an artisan creamery. For schedule and more information click here .
Washington County Fair!
July 25 - July 28
Gates open at 10:00 AM
FREE ADMISSION!

Make sure to visit the Extension tables on Friday, July 26 and 4-H Extension any time you are there!
NWREC Community Open House
Annual Community Open House at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) located at 15210 Miley Road, Aurora
Wednesday, July 31 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. 
 
The Center opens up their gates to the public and community to showcase the latest technology in farming and food production. Research and outreach faculty and staff from NWREC will be on hand with displays, demonstrations, and explain their work with hazelnuts, berry crops, vegetable production, Christmas trees, nursery and greenhouse production, pest management, and small scale farming. Educational and fun with hay wagon tours, tractor driving and Benny the Beaver! Click here for more information.
Summer Food Preservation Classes

Educational, Fun, Hands-on workshops in St. Helens
are designed for adults over 18. Classes begin in August. Space is limited- sign up today! Click here for schedule and more information.
Extension celebrates Agriculture at Hillsboro Hops game

Join Extension and the Hillsboro Hops for a 7 pm baseball game on Thursday, August 29 to celebrate and honor the Agricultural community in the metro area. We are featuring Seed and Dairy farmers this, our first year to partner with The Hops. Look for more information in the August issue! 
My Hair, My Health
Saturday, September 7
11:30am to 4:00 pm.
The Center for Self Enhancement, Portland
FREE ADMISSION!

My Hair My Health PDX! is an award winning, one-day community celebration.
Adapted from the San Bernardino Department of Public Health’s initiative for Black/African American women, this event is a celebration of culturally-specific, health, beauty and wellness, centering women, with all hair textures - kinky, curly, wavy, and straight. Click here for more info.
GARDENING
Trial gardens show vegetables can be grown without irrigation

Growing vegetables without irrigation may sound farfetched, but two Willamette Valley trials proved crops can be grown in home gardens without a drop of irrigation.

At demonstration gardens in Benton and Marion counties, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardeners successfully grew tomatoes and other vegetables without irrigation except on the day they put them in the ground. The idea came from Amy Garrett, assistant professor of practice with the Extension Small Farms Program, who is conducting research into dryland farming, an ages-old but little-used method of farming vegetables without supplemental irrigation. Click here to read the full story.
RECIPES
This month we are celebrating fresh berries with

A simple dessert that is perfect for a BBQ or just because. You could even eat leftovers for breakfast... we won't tell on you! Its got oatmeal and berries so it counts as breakfast right?!
Food Hero is your go-to site for quick, tasty, healthy recipes and helpful tips. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll find something new for your family to enjoy . Visit the Food Hero website today!
Emergency Preparedness Topic:
Protect your Home from Wildfire
Wildfire season is upon us. Read the poster for tips on what to do to help protect your property.
Download the poster here .
Ask an Expert is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening. Please choose your county and enter as much relevant detail about your question as possible. We will do our best to respond to your question within two business days. 
Have questions, comments, or suggestions?
We would love to hear what you would like to see in the next issue. Please send your thoughts to us at vicki.campbell@oregonstate.edu .
OSU Extension Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials.