The College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University is Oregon's principal source of knowledge relating to agricultural and food systems, and a major source of knowledge regarding environmental quality, natural resources, life sciences, and rural economies and communities worldwide. The College provides undergraduate and graduate education leading to baccalaureate and graduate degrees, and extended education programs throughout Oregon and beyond. Its research programs create knowledge to solve problems and to build a knowledge base for the future. It is a source of information and expertise in integrating and applying knowledge with benefits that are felt in domestic and international settings.
Volume IV - Issue
Dan's Observations
From one chapter to the next...
On June 14, Oregon State University held its 144th Commencement. In the College of Agricultural Sciences, we celebrated the graduation of over 400 undergraduate and graduate students. Graduation is always an exciting time as students close one chapter in their lives and look forward to beginning a new chapter. It is a time for celebration, but it is also a time for reflection as students think back on the years of engagement, study, and hard work that brought them to this milestone in their lives. I enjoy the pomp and circumstance associated with graduation, and especially the feeling I get as the platform party enters the stadium at the completion of the graduation march, and see the thousands of students in full regalia seated on the field with their parents, relatives, and friends cheering them on from the stands. Congratulations to all our graduates who, as President Ed Ray often remarks, are our most important contributions to society.
The 2013 Regular Session of Oregon’s Seventy-Seventh Legislative Assembly adjourned July 8th. With that came clarity with respect to the state portions of our budget. The Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and the OSU Extension Service, which together account for about 80% of our state funding, received an increase of 6.5% for the FY14-15 biennium relative to the FY12-13 biennium. (Read more and comment at Dan's blog)
Recent News
Oregon State ranks 8th best worldwide in agriculture and forestry
Oregon State University has been recognized as a world-class center in agriculture and forestry, debuting at 8th in a new international survey of more than 200 schools.
This is the first year QS World University Rankings has compiled a list of top agriculture and forestry institutions. The service considered nearly 3,000 universities in 30 subject areas in its overall review.
Seeking grower input for OSU Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center positions
(Capital Press) Officials at Oregon State University are asking growers about their research priorities as they prepare to fill two positions at the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center. Dan Arp, dean of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, said he expects to open the search for a new center director soon. Director Steve Petrie left the center in April to work for fertilizer company Yara US. Stephen Machado is serving as the interim director.
Partnering to improve student success in rural Oregon
On March 18, Oregon State University, through the Oregon Open Campus initiative, and Klamath Community College signed a memorandum agreement to pilot a new degree completion program in agricultural sciences.
Over the past year, with leadership from Willie Riggs – the OSU Extension Service regional administrator and director of the Klamath Basin Experiment Station – OOC has been working in partnership with KCC to finalize the details of this program.
Oregon first in nation with official state microbe
(OregonLive) -- The Oregon Senate approved a bill establishing brewer’s yeast as Oregon’s official state microbe.In April the House unanimously approved House Concurrent Resolution 12, which puts saccharomyces cerevisiae in the same company as the beaver and western meadowlark as official Oregon lifeforms. The Senate approved the measure in a 28-2 vote. (Read more...)
OSU Update
A board for Oregon State University?
President Ed Ray has been seeking input from campus constituencies about whether OSU should initiate its own institutional board to be appointed by the Governor. Senate Bill 270 would enable establishment of a board which would significantly change the governance of the university. A university with a governing board would have broad authority and significant autonomy. For example, it would have the authority to set tuition and fees -- with oversight by the Higher Education Coordinating... (Read more...)
OSU students face tuition hike
(AP/KVAL.com) Students will be paying an average of 5 percent more to attend Oregon's seven public universities next academic year.
The state Board of Higher Education approved higher prices after hearing complaints from students struggling with money and debt.
Our Best
Shellhammer named Fellow of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling
Thomas Shellhammer of the Department of Food Science and Technology, was recently named Fellow of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. The IBD’s mission is the advancement of education and professional development in the science and technologies of brewing, distilling and related industries. Its headquarters are in London, England but it has global membership with local sections around the world. Shellhammer is the current International Section Chairman and as such is a member of their Board of Directors. He is also an Examiner on one of their top-level certification exams, the Diploma in Beverage Packaging.
Hulting named Hyslop Professor
Andrew Hulting has been named the fourth Hyslop Professor. He will hold this title and receive the funding associated with the position for the five year period 2103-18. Carol Mallory-Smith was the first Hyslop Professor. She was named to the position when the Professorship was established by Oregon’s grass seed crop industries and the Hyslop family in 1998. Mark Mellbye and Tom Chastain were subsequent holders. Tom’s term ended on June 30.
Clark Seavert is students' choice for Professor of the Year
Clark Seavert from Agricultural and Resource Economics was honored as the Professor of the Year by students in the College of Agricultural Sciences at a June 6th ceremony. Students voted for a professor that has had a positive impact on undergraduate education, teach to the best of their abilities, and promote higher education. Seavert teaches courses in Agricultural Business Management and has a strong interest in agricultural cooperatives, technology assessment and advancement, business model innovations and strategies, supply chain management and value chain analysis. He encourages students to get involved with the Student Engaged Business Assessment Program (SEBA). In SEBA, students get matched with local growers to conduct an assessment of the economics and financial impacts of business pathways and decisions. This is a great learning experience for both the student and the grower.
In addition to teaching, Seavert researches the economic and financial assessment of technology investment strategies with the aim of strengthening sustainable business models in agriculture. He is also the Director of the NW Agribusiness Executive Seminar. (Read more about Clark)
Program Highlight - Mid Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center
100th Anniversary Celebration
MCAREC's 100th Anniversary will be held on August 8th at the Center in Hood River. The festivities will begin that day with an informal meeting and lunch at 12:30-2 pm with President. Ray and the Advisory Committee members, Hood River County Commissioners and other community leaders. After short tour of the station, they will hold a field day highlighting research at the station. Highlights of OSU Programs, value added products using pears and cherries, MCAREC History and some of the orchard equipment that was used years ago will be displayed.
Looking forward to the next 100 years! (Learn more...) MCAREC website
Mission, vision and values
The MISSION of the OSU-MCAREC is for research scientists and Extension faculty to develop a solid base of objective scientific information that addresses the needs of the fruit industry of Oregon as well as the Pacific Northwest. Our VISION is to provide the leadership for basic and applied research relevant to the tree fruit industry. We are committed to increasing profitability, economic growth and the wise use of our natural resources, while strengthening partnerships with the community. Our guiding principles and VALUES are accountability, commitment, integrity, and vision. Continuous research and learning are keys to our on-going success. (Photo Credit: Denise Ruttan)
Who is at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center?
(Faculty and Staff Directory) The Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center is a branch of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station whose mission is to conduct research in the agricultural, biological, social, and environmental sciences for the economic, social and environmental benefit of Oregon. Scientists at MCAREC specialize in research important to pear, cherry and apple growers. Pictured is Brian Tuck, Director.
The Hood River County office of the Oregon State University Extension Service has been serving the residents of Hood River County and the Mid-Columbia area for over 80 years.
(Photo credit: Lynn Ketchum)
Entomology Research Program
The entomology program, headed by Dr. Peter W. Shearer, conducts research on arthropod (insects and mites) pests and their natural enemies that are found on pears, sweet cherries and apples in the Mid-Columbia fruit-growing district.
The overall goal of the entomology program is to develop and evaluate integrated pest management (IPM) programs for tree fruits that are less reliant on broad-spectrum pesticides and promote the use of newer, selective materials that are compatible with biological control. (Photo credit: Lynn Ketchum) (Read more...)
Horticulture Research Program
The Horticulture/Fruit Physiology program, led by Dr. Todd Einhorn, emphasizes improving efficiencies of temperate-zone tree fruit systems, with focus on European pear and sweet cherry. The major program goal is to improve the competitive stance of PNW growers. Our primary objectives are to identify biophysical and physiological factors controlling and/or limiting growth and development, and through the use of horticultural techniques, exploit these mechanisms to progress plant performance towards its genetic potential. Whole-system research approaches are being utilized so that results can be rapidly integrated into commercial orchard operations. (Photo Credit: Tiffany Woods) (Read more...)
Postharvest Physiology Research Program
Dr. Yan Wang oversees the Postharvest Physiology program research focused on improving marketability and fruit quality of sweet cherry and European pear through postharvest chemical and non-chemical treatments, and the modification of temperature and atmospheric storage conditions. Elucidating the role of horticultural practices, nutrition, and climatic factors on postharvest disorders and fruit quality is also important. A fully automated pear packing line facility resides at MCAREC, allowing post-harvest handling of experimental fruit to closely resemble commercial practices. Additionally, the ability to isolate individual components of the packing line and investigate their effects on fruit quality serves as a valuable research tool. (Photo credit: Tiffany Woods) (Read more...)
Students
Leaders' Update: News from the Leadership Academy
As we wrap up the second year of the College of Agricultural Sciences' Leadership Academy, we are excited to publish the first issue of Leaders' Update. You'll find encouraging stories about program supporters, current students and Leadership Academy alumni. (Read more...)
Oregon State Ecampus Commencement 2013
Many students in the Class of 2013 earned their degrees through ECampus. This video gives their perspective on their educational experience. Earning a degree through ECampus is a great education option for some. Meet of our College of Agricultural Sciences graduates who appear in this video.
May Student of the Month: Emily Hepler
Emily was a “clean slate” before she spent the Summer of 2012 interning in the Alaska wilderness with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. There she was collecting data, handling fish, interacting with the public and contributing to a team. She experienced living in a field camp, coping with wind, rain and mosquitoes. She drank from a stream, washed her hair in a river and lived without a bathroom. Her experiences while on internship gave her new skills and valuable practical knowledge not found in the classroom. (Read more...)
April Student of the Month: Dylan McDowell
Dylan McDowell, pictured with members of the Maasai Tribe during a homestay,
spent 6 months in Zimbabwe on an internship, followed by a study abroad program in Tanzania through the School for International Training. He focused on wildlife conservation and political ecology. He says these opportunities changed his world view and were phenomenal life experiences.
Arlyn Moreno Luna: Bringing communities together
(UHC) Arlyn Moreno Luna was uprooted at the age of 13 when her family moved from Mexico to Oregon. Arlyn knew little English, felt unfamiliar with the new culture, and relied on the companionship of her Spanish-speaking peers at Willamette High School.
Today, Arlyn is a successful fifth-year student completing an Honors Bio-Resource Research major and minors in Toxicology and Chemistry. She is a seasoned member of the Honors Advisory and Activities Committee and language is no barrier between herself and her classmates. (Read more...)
See also: OSU Grad's New Event Makes Campus More Welcoming (Gazette Times)
Class of 2013: Tom Nicholson
Tim Nicholson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management, Summa Cum Laude.
Tim always knew he wanted to study agriculture. As a child, Tim developed a strong work ethic and love of the land by working on his uncle’s Willamette Valley farm every summer. He became interested in law after hearing about the struggles his grandfather and uncle went through to keep the family farm when land values plummeted in the 1980’s.
Class of 2013: Alejandra Marquez Loza
Alejandra Marquez Loza graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Science in BioResource Research Interdisciplinary Program with option specialization in Toxicology and a minor in Chemistry with a 4.0 GPA.
Alejandra spent Summer of 2012 doing research at the Oregon Health and Sciences University and continued working on her University Honors College thesis, on memory and aging. She was one of only a handful of undergraduate presenters at the Society for Neuroscience national conference in New Orleans with her mentor, Dr. Kathy Magnusson, during Fall term.
Know your meat processor
(The Corvallis Advocate) Know thy meat processor. Sounds like a good, solid commandment that more carnivores should follow. For those who tend to enjoy the juicy, grilled burger but have an aversion to the slaughterhouse, a visit to the Oregon State University Clark Meat Center might be in order.Clark is not fancy. It sits in a gravel lot surrounded by more gravel. The sign outside the building is sharpie on wood. (Read more...)
Charles E and Clara M Eckelman Assistantships
Lauren Brooks (Microbiology), and Nicole Steigerwald (Animal Sciences) are the final selections to receive Charles E. and Clara M. Eckelman Graduate Assistantships from the 6 applications reviewed. These assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to graduate students with dairy-related interests.
A total of 3 Eckelman assistantships will be active during the 2013/2014 academic year: two new, and Gregory Turbes in Food Science and Technology is the continuing recipient.
Healing through nature: Studying therapeutic horticulture
While studying in Botswana, in southern Africa, as a pre-veterinary medicine major, Ranann Blatter remembers her host family's insistence on the importance of working with family. "This made me wonder—I had always planned on helping with the family business of horticulture, so why am I not going to school for it?" she said. The "family business" is the 25 year old Portland, Oregon, nursery Cornell Farm, located in the southwest hills of the city.
(Read more...)
2013/14 Agricultural Executive Council Officers
Congrats to the newly elected 2013-2014 Ag Exec Officer Team:
President-Hayden Bush
Vice President-Kelsie White
Dir. of Correspondence-Brooklyn Nelson
Dir. of Finance-Alec Pacheco
Dir. of Public Relations-Josie Hubbard
Dir. of Ag Day-Jasmine Unrau
New Fields-Stephanie Foster
Congrats to Battle of the Aggies Club Winner: Steer a Year Club too.
CAS students awarded Honors College Promise Finishing Scholarships 2013-2014
The Honors College Promise Finishing Scholarship recognizes students who have achieved at the highest level throughout their time at OSU and supports them in the completion of their capstone thesis projects. CAS recipients are:
Cory Gerlach, Bioresource Research
Rachel Hegedus, Animal Sciences
Dylan McDowell, Fisheries & Wildlife Science
Mee-ya Monnin, Fisheries & Wildlife Science
Craft brewing renaissance hits college campuses
(USA Today) A boom in the craft beer industry combined with an increase in food science programs means that more students are graduating college with a different kind of alcohol education.
"It's an academic field that is growing like crazy," says Thomas Shellhammer, a professor in Oregon State University's food science and technology department. When OSU's food science department began in 2001, Shellhammer says there were about 40 students enrolled. Today, that number has more than tripled, and he estimates that it will only grow as time goes on. (Read more...)
Research
Oregon family’s sawmill fails as logs, way of life, dwindle
(Seattle Times) “There is no silver bullet,” said Bruce Webber, who directs the Center for Rural Studies at Oregon State University. “It sort of happens job by job and idea by idea. That is how change happens.” (see also San Francisco Chronicle, Statesman Journal, ABC News)
Portland brewery tests out water-recycling fuel cells
(OPB) The fuel cell was developed by professor Hong Liu and researcher Yanzhen Fan in Oregon State University’s Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering. They’ve been working on it for years, but the Widmer pilot fuel cell will be the first one they’ve ever tested in the field. If it works and can be scaled up, it could save $400,000 a year.
Fuels of the future. Neither dream nor whim, but necessity
(Industry Leaders Magazine) Electricity can be produced from wastewater, at least according to scientists from Oregon State University. In a paper issued in the renowned scientific journal, they trotted out that they had found a method which allowed them to get energy from biodegradable components of sewage with help of special bacteria.
Pictured: Hong Liu, Biological and Ecological Engineering
Flight Plan: UAV technology can create jobs, save money and lives
(Terra Magazine) By Rick Spinrad) Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), sometimes referred to as “drones,” have been the focus of recent international attention because of their military use. However, these systems also have many domestic uses that are practical and benign and should be embraced for their potential to save money and lives.
John Antle named Co-Principal Investigator for AgMIP
The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) is pleased to announce the addition of John Antle as a Co-Principal Investigator along with current Co-PIs Cynthia Rosenzweig, Jim Jones, and Jerry Hatfield.
Dr. Antle, professor at Oregon State University, has been leader of the AgMIP Regional Economics Team and an integral contributor to AgMIP since its inception in 2010. In his new role, John Antle will be involved in guidance of the project as well as continuing to oversee research in regional economics. His dedication and expertise have been invaluable in AgMIPs continuing progress.
Researchers study unleashing wasp to crush stink bug invasion
(KATU News) By Hillary Lake. A team of researchers at Oregon State University is trying to make sure a species of stink bug doesn't overtake Oregon.
They say all signs are there that the pest is poised to make farmlands its next frontier. That could lead to an economic catastrophe. "They're on their way to becoming a worldwide pest," said Nik Wiman, an OSU researcher.
Wiman, along with colleague Chris Hedstrom, spend their days shaking down the brown marmorated stink bug in Vaughn Walton's lab.
International Experience
OSU delegation visits China
During April 20-28, L. J. “Kelvin” Koong, Executive Director of the Agricultural Research Foundation, led a delegation of OSU faculty to China to foster relationship building and collaborative projects in science and education. The OSU group included Todd Bastian, Jack Breen, Kelly Donegan, Theo Dreher, Dan Edge, Ken Johnson, Russ Karow, John Killefer, Bob McGorrin, and JunJie Wu. Brett Tyler joined the delegation in Nanjing. David Hannaway assisted with the meetings with Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU), China Agricultural University (CAU) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). This summer OSU will host 19 exchange students from China.
Study Abroad Program in Chile introduces Ag and Natural Resources students to similar industries under different constraints
The College of Agricultural Sciences offers a study abroad program in Chillán, Chile that exposes students to agricultural and natural resources systems similar to Oregon’s, but under different cultural, environmental, market and policy constraints. The program is taught at the Universdad de Concepción’s agricultural campus in Chillán during winter term. Chillán, an agricultural community of approximately 170,000 people, is situated in the central valley of Chile in an area that is climatically very similar to the Willamette Valley. Like the Willamette Valley the region produces a large number of agricultural commodities from wine, fruits, grains and vegetables to dairy, sheep and cattle. The area also boasts large nature tourism and forest industries. (Read more...)
Multimedia Connections
New CAS research blog and Facebook page
Liz Etherington in CAS Sponsored Programs has created new social media in order to reach a broader audience within the college. Check out the new blog and be sure to "like" the Facebook page. Feedback is always appreciated!
BLOG: http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/research4agriculture/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/research.cas.osu
Facebook Pages
College of Agricultural Sciences
Biological and Ecological Engineering
OSU Beavers
OSU Extension
OSU Agricultural Executive Council
OSU Department of Horticulture
Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center
OSU Superfund Research Program
OSU Agriculture Program at EOU
Food Innovation Center
Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center
OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Fisheries & Wildlife OSU E-campus
Art About Agriculture receives special grants
The College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, has acquired four mixed media artworks by Portland artist Sally Finch, “Dryland Farming 3: Moro” (12” x 12”), “Dryland Farming 4: Pullman” (12” x 12”), “Dryland Farming 5: Spokane” (18” x 18”), and “Dryland Farming 6: Moscow” (18” x 18”.) The works of art were acquired with the assistance of the Ford Family Foundation through a special grant program managed by the Oregon Arts Commission, and sponsored in part by the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, the late Brenda and Gordon Hood, and the late Margaret Hogg.
(View gallery...)
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Reaching Out
Oregon State makes online insect guide more mobile friendly
(The Grower) Oregon State University has revamped the Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook website to make it more user friendly, regardless of the screen size users are viewing it with.
Rhododendron enthusiasts say azalea lace bug can be fought with pesticides
(Oregonian) Robin Rosetta, an entomologist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, is coming to the end of a sabbatical she took to study azalea lace bugs (Stephanitis pyrioides). She says her research led her to read much of the recent scientific literature on the insect.
Fruit-damaging fly could hit record population in Northwest this year
The spotted wing drosophila fly, which lays its eggs in fruit and makes it unmarketable, could reach record population levels in the Pacific Northwest this year, according to Oregon State University researchers.
Despite fewer dog poisonings from slug baits, researchers warn of new hazard
Stronger warning labels on slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde may have led to a huge drop in calls to a national pesticide hotline about possible dog poisonings, according to Oregon State University.
At the same time, a relatively new type of bait containing iron phosphate was marketed as a safer alternative to metaldehyde, but it can still lead to iron poisoning in children, pets and wildlife, said Dave Stone, the center's director and co-author of the study. The NPIC received its first call about dogs encountering the iron phosphate baits in 2005. Subsequent reports have increased each year, rising to 69 calls in 2011. (Read more...)
Faculty and Staff
Ellie's Log: Exploring the Forest Where the Great Tree Fell
Judith Li and M. L. (Peg) Herring have written a new children's book, Ellie's Log, published by OSU Press.
Their goal was to encourage children to get outside and explore the natural world for themselves, while learning about scientific inquiry. The book is written for 4th - 6th graders and there is a companion website for readers and teachers including a Teacher's Guide at ellieslog.org.
Google Apps for OSU
Google Apps for OSU will be enabled for the entire OSU community in July. Google Apps allows you to share large files, collaborate on documents, create team calendars, build project team websites and much more, all in a secure and private cloud-based environment. And along with other benefits, you can access your Google space with either a web connection or a mobile app.
In-person sessions and online webinars will be announced this summer at http://oregonstate.edu/google
Alumni, Donors and Friends
Dale Weber Animal Sciences Scholarship Endowment Fund
We all know Dr. Dale Weber, an outstanding teacher and advisor at Oregon State University. Doc joined the Animal Sciences faculty in 1976, and since retiring in 1999 he has continued to teach, mentor students, and volunteer countless hours at OSU and in the community. Last March Doc received the alumni association’s Dan Poling Service Award; a well-deserved honor (watch the award video).
You are warmly invited to help extend Dr. Weber’s legacy by making a gift to the Dale Weber Animal Sciences Scholarship Endowment Fund. Created in 1999, this endowed scholarship assures that Doc will always be a part of the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Please make a gift today to honor Doc Weber and support new generations of OSU students.
E.R. Jackman Friends and Alumni
If you are a College of Agricultural Sciences alum and haven't joined E.R. Jackman Friends and Alumni yet, we'd love to have you! Join here!
The OSU Alumni Association publishes the award-winning magazine, Oregon Stater three times a year and it is distributed by mail to over 140,000 alumni around the world!