March & April 2021

Washington County Extension in Beaverton 503-821-1150

Messages will be forwarded to appropriate person and calls returned. Currently staff are on site by appointment only. Click to reach a Master Gardener.

Extension in Portland

Angela Sandino, North Willamette Regional Director

Maureen Hosty, 4-H Faculty OSU Portland Center, 555 SW Morrison, Ste 2000.

As I write this, state safety guidelines and mandates are evolving and OSU Extension is evaluating the implications for all programs and events we offer. With Washington and Multnomah Counties now in the “Moderate Risk” category, OSU Extension is preparing to welcome members of the public back to in-person events. We are slowly expanding our capacity to meet face-to-face.

There is uncertainty about how many of our traditional events will take place in the coming months. Our dedicated employees started planning short-term and, optimistically, long-term and are determining how best to schedule the remainder of 2021. We will continue to follow all of the safety protocols as we schedule as many events as possible. We expect continued uncertainty for a while longer; however, with Governor Kate Brown stating everyone (who chooses) will have access to the vaccine by May, the messaging seems to be very optimistic.

Our calendar of events will be announced seasonally to allow us to work within current guidelines and to adjust our offerings accordingly. Many of the more social aspects of our events continue to be restricted under current Oregon Health Authority guidance. Nonetheless, we continue to plan these social elements so are ready for the day when we are able to add them back into our programming.

Please remember that all COVID-19 public health safety protocols remain in place, such as wearing a face covering when inside and practicing physical distancing. This applies to the entire Oregon State University community, including those who are fully vaccinated.

As we return to life with fewer restrictions, we look forward to seeing all your familiar faces, and we hope to welcome new participants and community partners, too! Passing through these tumultuous times serves as a useful reminder that our local communities benefit from the care of others, a warm smile, collective kindness and a welcoming environment, all which help make the Metro area such a wonderful place to live, work and learn.

Click here for the story and a recorded message.

Now more than ever youth voices and youth action is needed in our communities to help find solutions to community problems. The 4-H Teen Teacher Corps program allows teens to give back to their community, learn important job skills, explore career paths and earn a small stipend. Click here for a short video.

#LiveLikeAFoodHero | Anyone can be a Food Hero!  

To meet partner needs for remote program delivery, the Portland SNAP-Ed team got creative and are producing three video lesson series. Watch their first video here - “How To Be A Food Hero”. 

Subscribe to the #LiveLikeAFoodHero series on the Food Hero YouTube channel. We're inspiring kids to live healthy lifestyles and to be actively engaged in their health. 

OSU Family and Community Health programs helped Oregonians stay active during the state’s stay-at-home order. Read the full story here.

OSU Science on Tap is pairing OSU’s Fermentation Science program with Alumni Group Travel for a delightful and informative virtual event. Interact with a live audience from your home to taste and compare wines from Oregon and Italy. Thursday, April 15, 5:30 p.m. Learn more and register.

In this OSU Science on Tap live webcast event, hear from Andony Melathopoulos, a researcher in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University, who is working to identify the 600+ bee species in Oregon. Tuesday, May 11, 5:30 p.m. Learn more and register.

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.