Welcome to SOREC

Serving Jackson and Josephine Counties, and surrounding communities in Southern Oregon, Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center (SOREC) enriches the Rogue Valley's agricultural communities. With support from OSU's College of Agricultural Science, we bring cutting-edge research to our beautiful valley.

Who is SOREC

Specializing in horticulture, soil science, entomology, and plant pathology, the researchers at SOREC focus on key agricultural industries and supportive science to address concerns for the Southern Oregon bioregion. Currently, field research focuses on pears, vineyard grapes, and hemp. SOREC research is also looking towards current and future needs of farmers, ranchers, and viticulturists across issues of soil health, water use, and climate adaptation. Learn more about our team here.

 

Supporting Southern Oregon

Since 1911, researchers at SOREC have provided vital scientific support to commercial agricultural businesses and hobbyist gardeners alike. Across 81 acres, we continue in that proud tradition of serving our community by providing research insights, as well as an array of services available to regional businesses and community members.

SOREC RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Viticulture

Green, unripe grapes hang on either side of a vineyard trellis at Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center

Plant Pathology

A browning, deflated pear shows the effects of fire blight in test orchards at Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center

Entomology

In an orchard in late bloom, a yellow sticky card with several insects stuck to it hangs from a pear tree branch.

Eradicating Vine Mealybug in Oregon

Purple grapes on the vine

"Winegrowers Association (OWA) partnered with Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and industry associations to secure $447,100 in emergency state funding to help contain and eradicate vine mealybug (VMB) in Southern Oregon." Read more.

Fighting Fire Blight with Pruning

The blight extends to the permanent tissues and cause cankers. Photo: Kate Lundquist

"'This hurts you, right? You’re throwing away five to six pounds of pears,' said Acimovic, a Virginia Tech University assistant professor. The alternative, however, is having fire blight in orchards for 10 to 15 years..." Read more.

Improving Drought Resilience

Irrigation of a Hay Field at SOREC

"Researchers and water conservation engineers say it will take modernization of both the irrigation districts' infrastructure and farmers' irrigation systems to effectively reduce water expenditure." Read more.

Smoke Protective Coating for Grapes

An OSU researcher setting up an experiment on smoke’s effect on wine grapes, June 2022 (OSU)

"'When there is wildfire smoke in the vineyard when there are grapes on the vine, the compounds in the smoke that make it smell like smoke get absorbed into the grape,' Tomasino said before describing some of the resulting flavors..." Read more.

Support SOREC

Southern Oregonians have a long tradition of supporting each other and our vital agricultural economy. By investing in SOREC with a donation or endowment gift, you can help build the Rogue Valley's future for generations to come. Help support SOREC today!