Oregon State University Extension Service
METRO CONNECTION
On May 27 Washington County Extension staff hosted critical PPE distribution for over 120 Washington county farmers.
June 2020
News, events and educational articles for our partners,
community leaders, volunteers, friends and family
Washington County Extension in Beaverton 503-821-1150
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Master Gardener Hours:
9:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Extension in Portland
Angela Sandino, North Willamette Regional Director
Maureen Hosty, 4-H Faculty OSU Portland Center, 555 SW Morrison, Ste 2000 and for SNAP-Ed and Nutrition Education Programs:503-657-7385
Extension offices used as distribution sites for PPE statewide
OSU Extension Service was proud to partner in more than half of Oregon counties for the distribution of safety items to help keep all agricultural workers safe during this prime harvest season. With the help of ODA Compliance Specialist, Roy Cedillo, and four National Guard persons facial masks, hand sanitizer, hand washing posters and Food Hero cookbooks in English and Spanish were offered free to all farmers at the Washington County Extension site in Beaverton.

Multnomah county distribution was held at SnowCap Community Charities on the east side of Portland. A sincere thank you to our Extension partner, Kirsten Wageman, SnowCap Executive Director and her staff for allowing us to use their site for hosting this important event.

The critical PPE distribution effort was a collaboration between Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Oregon Department of Agricultural, Oregon State University Extension, Oregon Emergency Management, Oregon National Guard, and county partners. 
The office remains closed, but we are here for you!

OSU Extension is an education and research service organization with nearly 600 employees. In response to the coronavirus our faculty and staff have been quickly redesigning Extension programs online so we can continue to serve our communities. Courses are FREE unless otherwise indicated and all events require pre-registration.

Contact any of our Washington County Extension faculty or Portland area faculty with your questions and concerns about agriculture, 4-H youth development and family and community health, Nutrition Education or SNAP-Ed or Clean Waterways. Please read about our revised and virtual offerings below and call if you have questions; Vicki Campbell, 503-821-1127
FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH
Join the Grow Garden Challenge

Oregon Garden Challenge is a call to action to individuals, families, schools, community groups and counties to come together around gardening to have fun and grow Oregon’s health and food supply. The first 3000 to respond to a short survey will be mailed four different seeds, instructions and follow up monthly emails during growing season. Join here!

Special Food Hero tips for older adults

The Special Edition Monthly for Older Adults has features for older adult audiences: recipes with smaller quantities, health tips, options for ingredient swapping and lots of color and larger fonts! During the COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe closures, the Portland SNAP-Ed Program team was instrumental in distributing hundreds of Food Hero monthlies to SNAP recipients at school meal distribution sites and in food pantry box deliveries to older adults throughout Multnomah County.  Click here for the English version of this Three Sisters Soup or here for the Spanish version.
Pressure gauge testing

Extension in Washington County is providing FREE pressure canner gauge testing every Wednesday from 11a.m. to 1p.m. Prepare for canning season by testing your gauge annually. Just drop by, no appointment is necessary! Click here for more details.

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
New youth education resources

In response to the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, Extension is providing new ways to support the health and education of children and adults . Resources listed by subject for families, teachers and caregivers .
Together on Thursdays Facebook videos

Faced with the reality of no longer being able to meet in person with their 4-H youth, Extension in Washington County has turned to Facebook videos. They have been watched more than 3,000 times ­and counting. 4-H Together on Thursdays is a weekly feature on the Extension 4-H Facebook page where all videos are available.

Teen Science Café has gone virtual

This monthly virtual caf é connects teens to inspiring people with real-life science career journeys. Watch recorded interviews and then join Dr. Kristen and the guest live to ask STEM professionals about their experiences. Caf é 's are held the last Sunday of each month. Click here to read all about it!

FORESTRY
The Master Naturalist program wants to hear from you!

As we begin phased opening around the state, how will your organization be welcoming volunteers back? Please complete this  partner survey  to let us know your plans for reopening. We are particularly interested in hearing from natural resources organizations and parks departments. Thank you!
Join a wildflower video walk with a forester

Through the lens of her iPad, Rachel Werling sees blooming wildflowers lining a winding path. Her virtual hike allows everyone to watch as she walks through an oak woodland near Emigrant Lake in Jackson County. Click here to read more!
SEA GRANT
As boating season ramps up, Sea Grant Extension educates about waste

As more Oregon boaters head out on the water this time of the year, knowing where and how to dispose of human waste is not only important for the health of people and wildlife – it’s the law. It’s illegal to dump raw sewage within three miles of the Oregon coast and in inland rivers, lakes, reservoirs. There are approximately 80 locations in Oregon where recreational boaters can find floating restrooms, pump out their holding tanks or flush away the contents of their portable toilets. Read all about it here!
GARDENING
From Pot to Table, easy herbs to spice up cooking

Cooking and gardening have taken the country by storm and easy-to-grow herbs act as a bridge between the two, adding flavor to our food and confidence to our gardening. Growing them inside gives everyone the opportunity to spice up their homegrown food, said Brooke Edmunds, horticulturist for Oregon State University Extension Service. Read more here!
Ask a Master Gardener online
Remember, you can ask a Master Gardener question anytime using Ask an Expert . Send a question with a photo or two and a Master Gardener will reply with an answer usually within 24 hours. Access monthly gardening tips and a monthly gardening check list too.
FEATURED RECIPE

A new twist on strawberries creates this delicious and memorable treat! Click here for the Food Hero recipe.
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: Fire

Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at $7.3 billion annually. By preparing in advance, you can know how you will respond if a fire strikes. Learn all about it 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.