What we do

Since 1911, OSU Extension faculty, staff, and trained volunteers have worked with partners across Marion County. Together we provide educational workshops, activities, and services tailored to our communities' unique industries, natural resources, and people.

Oregon State University's land grant mission drives us to conduct research and share science-based information through extension education to minimize community risk, improve economic vitality, and promote personal and environmental health.

Highlights

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Family and Community Health

Our Family and Community Health team partners in communities to promote healthy nutrition, food safety and security, physical activity, behavioral health and well-being, emergency preparedness, community resilience, and more.

Marion County

Youth Activities

4-H empowers young people with hands-on learning experiences to help them grow and thrive. By creating a safe and welcoming environment, young people develop the skills needed to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Marion County

Photo: A. Detweiler (Cropped from original)

Community Horticulture

We provide research-based information for backyard gardeners and green industry professionals, including regional specific information.

Marion County

Photo by Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original)

Forestry and Natural Resources

Our agents and specialists share knowledge about the latest techniques in natural resource management through educational programs and materials. We work with forest owners, foresters and other natural resource managers, educators ...

Marion County

Photo by Victoria Binning (Cropped from original)

Mid-Willamette Valley Small Farms Program

The Mid-Valley Small Farms Program serves commercial small farm entrepreneurs as well as non-commercial small acreage landowners. Our focus embraces both organic/biological and conventional farming systems.

Marion County

Photo: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension (Cropped from original)

Agritourism and Tourism in Marion County

Agritourism and Tourism Research, Education and Community Engagement.

Marion County

See also: Mid-Willamette Valley Small Farms

Field Crops

Willamette Valley Field Crops Extension provides research-based information for commercial cereal grain, grass seed, legume seed and oil crop producers. This page is hosted by Oregon State University Extension Service - Department of Crop and Soil Science.

Marion County

Credit Patty Case (Cropped from original)

Farm to School and school gardens in Marion County

We connect the cafeteria, classroom and community so kids, farmers, and communities thrive. OSU’s research-backed farm to school activities improve economic opportunities, public health, academic achievement, youth development and ecoliteracy in every county in Oregon.

Marion County

Programs offered

• Better Bones and Balance®: Better Bones and Balance® is an exercise program designed to gradually improve balance and strength to avoid falls and maintain independence.
• Home Food Safety and Preservation Program: Food safety and preservation resources and classes, provided through the Oregon State University Extension Family and Community Health, ensure Oregonians have access to the most reliable information available. It is critical that those...
• Marion County 4–H: 4-H empowers young people with hands-on learning experiences to help them grow and thrive. By creating a safe and welcoming environment, young people develop the skills needed to make a positive impact on the world around them.
• Marion County Master Gardeners: A program that educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. This program also facilitates the training of a highly educated group of volunteers. These volunteers extend sustainable gardening information to their communities through education and outreach programs.
• Master Woodland Manager: The Master Woodland Manager (MWM) training is offered by Oregon State University Forestry Extension as a master's level course for landowners who are interested in an intensive forest management training and sharing the knowledge ...
• Mid-Willamette Valley Small Farms: The Mid-Valley Small Farms Program serves commercial small farm entrepreneurs as well as non-commercial small acreage landowners.
• Nutrition Education and Outreach Programs (SNAP-Ed): Our Family and Community Health educators deliver community-based nutrition education to adults and youth in all 36 Oregon counties. OSU Extension contracts with the Oregon Department of Human Services to bring SNAP-Ed (Supplemental ...
• Oregon Season Tracker: Oregon Season Tracker (OST) is a project of Oregon State University that aims to link natural resource managers, educators, researchers and others in the community to the science they use through collaborative citizen science. We ...
• Outdoor School: This is an exciting time for Oregon and for Oregon’s 5th and 6th grade students as OSU Extension works in collaboration with schools, partners, and communities to support and grow the statewide Outdoor School program, building on a legacy that began in 1966.
• Walk With Ease: Walk With Ease (WWE) is an exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can have success with Walk With Ease!