Oregon State University Extension Service
METRO CONNECTION
Extension research helps farmers put delicious produce on your table.
July & August 2020
News, events and educational articles for our partners,
community leaders, volunteers, friends and family
Our offices remain closed to the public. We continue to provide programming virtually and assistance by phone or email. Some Washington County staff are available by appointment. Contact them by email or call 503-821-1150 to leave a message.
Washington County Extension in Beaverton 503-821-1150
Messages will be forwarded to proper person and calls returned.
Currently staff are present Tuesday through Thursday 9a.m. to 3p.m.
Click to reach Master Gardeners
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


Contact any of our Washington County Extension e ducators or Portland area e ducators with your questions about agriculture, 4-H youth development and family and community health, Nutrition Education or SNAP-Ed or Clean Waterways.
Extension works in your community

Extension in Washington County is unknown by some and we are proud to share these stories of the great work Extension and our partners do to help our community thrive. Help us get the word out by sharing this report and the video. View the Washington County Community Report 2019/2020.

View by topic area here with unique links for each story making sharing a snap.
New video about Extension in Washington County

You may be surprised by the variety of work Extension offers your community. Check out the video .
What do you want to learn? Just ask!
OREGON MASTER NATURALIST
Free Master Naturalist webinars

Extension is partnering with Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District to
offer free summer webinar series in July and August. To find additional webinars in August click workshops at TSWCD website.

July 16
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Earth's Wild Music: Celebrations and Laments   with author Kathleen Moore
July 27
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

July 28
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.


FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH
Food Hero bingo for families

Looking for a summer challenge? Food Hero Bingo at Home, has a brand new interactive edition. Virtual BINGO cards are available in English and Spanish. When activities are completed, check off the activity by clicking the box on the card. Share your success by taking a screen shot or photo and share it.

New recipe video demos!
Watch how to make these four recipes with new video tutorials from our regional nutrition educators!

Food Preservation hotline is open!

Our Food Preservation experts are back on the Hotline for the season. They address all kinds of questions and safety issues regarding all kinds of preservation. Information is available here.
Pressure gauge testing

Testing is offered every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9a.m. to 3p.m. at the Washington County office. Find details here.


4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Activity kits for school age kids keep them busy and learning

4-H in Washington County partnered with the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (VGMHC) in Cornelius to provide summer activity kits to 50 youth, ages 6 to 9. The kits were created by 4-H Educator Alice Philips and included a nature journal with five weeks of activities, nasturtium plants, art and science supplies, and some fun OSU swag, including bubbles and sunglasses. VGMHC also contributed hands-on educational materials and a chapter book for each kit. Kits were distributed to youth and families on June 25 at Virginia Garcia. As part of the kit, youth also received pre-addressed and stamped postcards with the goal of youth decorating and sending Alice a postcard with updates on their summers and their favorite activities from the nature journal.
Washington County 4-H will be partnering with Virginia Garcia later this summer to create kits for youth ages 10 to 14. If you are interested in helping with this project or contributing materials, please contact Alice Phillips .  

Staff from OSU Extension 4-H and Virginia Garcia holding the kits and plants distributed to youth and families on June 25. Pictured from left to right: Darsy Schaal (4-H), Manuel Zavala (VGMHC), Alice Phillips (4-H), and Tania Villanueva (VGMHC). Photo credit: Martha Munoz
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. A weekly feature, all 4-H Together on Thursdays videos are available on the 4-H Extension Facebook page.
Teen Science Café goes virtual

Virtual caf é connects teens to inspiring people with real-life science career journeys. Watch recorded interviews and responses to questions from Dr. Kristen with the guest. Caf é 's are held the last Sunday of each month. Learn more.

GARDENING
Tomato lovers: Grow the Best by Recognizing and Solving Common Problems

Knowing the hows and whys of tomato diseases gives gardeners a leg up for successfully growing the most-treasured of vegetables. Learn more here!
Ask a Master Gardener TM online

Gardening questions? Reach a Master Gardener anytime for help. There are four easy ways to contact them on the Metro Master Gardener website. Allow up to 48 hours for a response.
FEATURED RECIPE

Delicious and great for breakfast or a snack! Try this blueberry treat or mix it up and add fruits of your choice. 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

Summer Injuries

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.