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.
Sonny's Observations
Students: The Reason For Being!
My life usually revolves around meetings or travel or entertaining visitors, alumni, and friends or giving lectures at various venues or going on fundraising trips with Todd Bastian or Jack Holpuch, our development professionals.
Typically, the conversations I am involved in are varied. They might be about budgets, or research, or teaching, or food, or natural resources, or jobs and the economy, or fundraising, or Extension, or space, or--whatever. You get the picture! One day is never the same as another, which makes my job a whole lot of fun. (Read more...)
Recent News
Annual college report to the Provost
Each year, OSU Deans submit a report to Provost Randhawa. The 2011 College of Agricultural Sciences report gives an overview of the activities and accomplishments for the year. The 13 page report is now available and you are invited to have a look.
CAS sets new record of $59.8 M in new grants and contracts
From Bill Boggess: The College of Agricultural Sciences set a new record of $59.8M in new grants and contracts this past fiscal year. This eclipses the $55.2M received last year. We had four budget units (BPP, EMT, HORT, F&W) that each exceeded $6M in new awards, and twelve budget units that each exceeded $1M.
(2011 proposal and award statistics) (2010 proposal and award statistics)
CAS welcomes Oregon FFA office to campus
(Capital Press) Oregon FFA has moved its state office to Oregon State University, ending its long-time association with the Student Leadership Center and kindling what some say is a natural relationship. "The relationship between FFA and the College of Agricultural Sciences goes back to the inception of FFA," said Sonny Ramaswamy, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, shown with Reynold Gardner, state FFA Advisor.
OSU Cheese to be named and label launched during Homecoming
The name and label design of the new cheese developed at Oregon State University will be revealed during a homecoming event on November 4. "Students are developing the name and label," Lisbeth Goddik, OSU Dairy Specialist said. "Students will be selling the cheese, they are making the cheese and they are milking the cow that provides the milk for the cheese. "It's animal science, food science and ag economics all rolled into one project," she said.
(Capital Press) Business-incubation program set to hatch cheese
(Capital Press) Dairy processing center key to growth of OSU’s cheese-making program
OSU Update
OSU nets $183.7M in federal grants
(Portland Business Journal) Oregon State University didn’t match last fiscal year’s external research funding record, but the university fared well with its biggest contributors: federal agencies. OSU earned $183.7 million in federal research dollars out of $261.7 million in total external funding in fiscal year 2011, which ended June 30.
State of the University by Ed Ray
My remarks focused on three major points. First, through our own constructive efforts and strategy of self-sufficiency over a number of years we are financially strong and positioned to build on our strengths. Second, we face substantial uncertainty in our external environment but we are taking actions to influence the outcomes there. Finally, we have a clear agenda for the important next steps to take. (Read more...)
OSU starts year with record enrollment
(KEZI) Oregon State University launches the 2011-12 school year with an expected record enrollment of about 25,000 students, growing faculty and staff ranks, and many changes in OSU, Corvallis and the state of Oregon.
Our Best
Faculty and staff awardees honored
The College of Agricultural Sciences recognized and honored the outstanding accomplishments of its faculty and staff at a Faculty and Staff luncheon on October 17. Congratulations to Debby Yacas, Paul Dorres, Viki Meink, Clint Epps, The eOrganic Team, Selina Heppell, Scott Baker, Bruce Weber, Andrew Ross, Bruce Sorte, Linda Brewer, and Bruce Mate. You do us proud! Have a look at the 2011 recipients and awards.
(Criteria and previous recipients)
Rob Chitwood named OSU Exemplary Employee at University Day
OSU honored its outstanding faculty and staff at University Day on September 22. The OSU Exemplary Employee Award honors one professional faculty member and one classified staff member for their outstanding performance. Rob Chitwood, a Bioscience Research Technician from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, received the award.
Program Highlight
BioResource Research (BRR)
BRR is an interdisciplinary biosciences major centered around student research. Students take biosciences core courses, complete an option (bioscience/natural resource specialization) and do a research project of their choice with a faculty mentor. Over 100 faculty members in seven colleges (Agricultural Science, Engineering, Forestry, Oceanography, Pharmacy, Science, and Veterinary Medicine) are currently on the mentor list and available for students to work with. This research opportunity is unmatched by any other program at OSU. BRR students are looking for more than the usual OSU education. They like to see the relevancy of their education, make a difference, and gain work experience while reaching their educational goals. (Learn more...)
History
The Bioresource Research major was conceived 20 years ago in the College of Agricultural Sciences; Anita Azarenko and John Hays were the first developers of the major and served as co-directors. Fast forward to today and the program is thriving under Director Kate Field, Academic Advisor Wanda Crannell and Associate Dean Cary Green. The program is located in 137 Strand Agriculture Hall within the Academic and International Programs office.
Undergraduate Thesis Major
The interdisciplinary science major provides tremendous research opportunities for undergraduates by requiring students to complete a thesis by graduation; this gives them the chance to work with faculty mentors on unique research and ultimately write and present their findings at their thesis defense.
BRR Stats
BRR is one of the top research-based undergraduate programs in the nation.
BRR students are high achievers:
- 50% have a GPA greater or equal to 3.25.
- 13% are in the Honors College; many also complete the International Degree program.
- 100% of graduates find jobs or enter graduate/professional school within three months of graduating. (Read more..)
Newsletter
BioResource Research (BRR) is a research-based interdisciplinary undergraduate science major. The centerpiece of BRR is a comprehensive mentored research experience. The BRR degree provides students with a challenging
science curriculum, focused course work in one of 13 bioresource options, professional development, and a research/mentorship opportunity unmatched in any other OSU undergraduate degree program. (Read newsletter)
BRR students have amazing opportunities
(Gazette-Times) Opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research have picked up in recent years since studies have found that undergraduate research prepares students well for graduate school and employment, and stimulates problem solving skills thanks to long-term projects that often require teamwork.
Undergraduate research also gives students the opportunity to work closely with and ultimately build relationships with faculty. And because bioresource research requires students to pick one of thirteen major options that leads them to work with faculty throughout the university, each bioresource research major can work with stellar faculty and innovative research. (Read more...)
Multicultural Scholars Program
The Multicultural Scholars Program is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to offer competitive scholarships to undergraduate students of diverse cultural backgrounds who are interested in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Food Science, or Human Health and Nutrition. The Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is for student members of groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences, or first-generation college students, who are looking for research experience, professional development, good mentoring and support, and a relevant college education that will lead to a productive career or graduate/ professional school. MSP Scholars receive tuition scholarships for up to a four-year period while earning their BRR degree. (Read more about activities of the OSU MSP Program) (Six Students receive USDA Scholarships)
Students
New Leadership Academy
The first cohort of the CAS Leadership Academy has been selected and ten students are embarking on the new program of personal and professional development that began in Fall term. Dr. Jonathan Velez holds the Bradshaw Leadership Academy Endowed Professorship, and Kellie Strawn is the Director of the Academy.
Hailing Frozen Thoughts
That is the clever name of the blog Mee-ya Monnin, undergraduate student in Fisheries and Wildlife, is writing about her venture into the world of research and marine mammals. Get her fresh perspective on experiential education as she works with Dr. Markus Horning in Antarctica.
New Fields Blog
The Agricultural Executive Council is the student government organization of the College of Agricultural Sciences. The New Fields Blog is their ongoing publication of information about student clubs, meetings and activities. It is a good one to bookmark and return to often for current news and events.
Ambassadors
Ambassadors for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources have the opportunity to develop and enhance their public speaking, time management skills, individual and group dynamics, prepare for student and pre-professional success and engage in activities that promote the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Forestry.
Thomas Griffin does FFA outreach in Rwanda
Seven collegiate FFA members, including Thomas Griffin of Culver, chosen to participate in the National organization's global outreach program "FFA GO: Africa" recently returned from the African nation of Rwanda.
Julia McGonigle at NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory
Last summer, Julia McGonigle was a recipient of the "Ernest and Pauline Jaworski Summer Research Experiences Scholarships for Underserved Undergraduates in the Plant Sciences". She conducted her research project in Dr. Bob Meinke's laboratory.
Julia graduated from Botany and Plant Pathology in June 2011 and applied for a very competitive summer program entitled "The Student Airborne Research Program (SARP)" and was accepted into this program. Approximately 30 students are chosen from across the US. "This program is a six-week summer program for junior and senior undergraduate and early graduate students to acquire hands-on research experience in all aspects of a scientific campaign using NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory. The DC-8 is a major NASA resource for studying Earth system processes, calibration/validation of space-borne observations, and prototyping instruments for possible satellite missions. Participants assist in the operation of instruments on board the DC-8 to sample atmospheric chemicals, and to image land and water surfaces in multiple spectral bands. Research areas include atmospheric chemistry, evapotranspiration from agricultural crops in California's Central Valley, and ocean biology along the California coast. Along with airborne data collection, students participate in taking measurements at field sites. The program culminates with formal presentations of research results and conclusions".
General Agriculture program becomes Agricultural Sciences
Effective Fall 2011, the General Agriculture program has changed its name to Agricultural Sciences. The purpose of the change in name was simply to reflect more accurately the focus of the content in the program. The academic program has not changed at all, so all current participants and new participants will still have the same requirements. If any current General Agriculture students wish to change the name of their program to Agricultural Sciences, they should contact the department to find out how. Students admitted to the program Fall 2011 or later will automatically have the new program name.
Research
Oregon officials eye stinkbugs
(Hermiston Herald) “Currently no specimens of brown marmorated stink bug have been found in Hermiston,” Alex Murphy of OSU Hermiston Agriculture Research and Extension facility said. “One was found as close as Arlington."
Time-lapse video of stinkbug voraciously feeding on hornworm
(New Scientist) The video was filmed by Christopher Hedstrom, a research assistant in the Walton Horticultural Lab at Oregon State University, who was feeding the voracious bug when he noticed the worm deflating. By perching a camera on a microscope, he was able to capture the critter downing its liquid meal and later sped up the 15 minute session in a time-lapse. Hedstrom and his team are currently studying an invasive species of stink bugs that's expected to swarm the mid-Atlantic US this fall.
Investigating the cause of honeybee decline
(Terra) Strapped into a small holding device, the honeybee amiably wiggles its antennae. Like a toddler in a highchair, it seems to reach greedily for the dropper with sugar water that appears over its head. This isn’t just a strange way to treat a honeybee to lunch. It’s all part of Ramesh Sagili’s effort to understand honeybee behavior, and in particular, the reason for their sudden disappearance.
OSU part of $112.5 Million project studying effects of Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Research on the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico took a major step forward with the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GRI) Research Board’s announcement that eight Research Consortia will be funded for the next three years. A total of $112.5 million over three years will support this portion of the GRI research effort.
Oregon's Agricultural Progress Magazine
The Fall issue of Oregon's Agricultural Progress is hot off the press and filled with fascinating articles and astounding photography. Read the story of fermentation and the yeast that launched a thousand industries.
Welcome Liz Etherington
Liz Etherington has joined the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station administration as the Sponsored Research Coordinator. She is available to assist faculty with the proposal process and may be reached at 541-737-4251.
The Heppell Lab Blog
We are a diverse lab of ecologists and physiologists researching ecology, conservation biology, and fisheries questions. We work in a variety of ecosystems from eastern Oregon streams to the Carribean. Check out our blog for more information.
Cayuse Proposal System
Faculty are advised to input only Sonny Ramaswamy as the college authorized representative in the Cayuse Proposal System. Any other CAS administrator names entered may slow the processing, according to Jan Auyong, Assistant Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.
2011 Biodiversity Working for Farmers South Central Idaho Tour
The 3rd Annual Biodiversity Working for Farmers Tour took place June 23, 2011. Two established, and very distinct south central Idaho farms (totaling over 3000 acres combined) were visited by 35 regional policy makers, farmers, industry personnel, conservationists and researchers.
Fermentation Science Program: Something's brewing
(The Furrow, John Deere Magazine)The rich aroma of yeast perfumes the air of Oregon State University's Wiegand Hall, home to OSU's fermentation science lab. In a corner of the warehouse-like space, students stretch wads of bread dough, studying strands of gluten.
Whales tagged in anticipation of another marathon journey
(Times Colonist) Bruce Mate, director of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, who has been part of the satellite tagging team both years, said he expects the Russian whales to stay around Sakhalin Island until January, which is when Flex took off.
Impatient Futurist: The Bright, Hi-Tech Future of Food Preservation
(Discover Magazine) The September 2011 issue of Discover contains a story about food preservation and mentions both food scientists Antonio Torres and his research relating to high hydrostatic pressure processing and its uses for food preservation, and Yanyun Zhao, who uses a mixture of chitosan, a cellulose-like compound extracted from crab shells, and lysozyme, an enzyme taken from egg whites, to create a liquid that can be applied and dried to form an edible, antibacterial coating on berries and other produce. (Read the Discover article...)
Presenting the OSU Research Agenda
The OSU research community, a vibrant group of faculty, staff and students, shares values that establish the culture and foundation upon which we build our agenda. We value collaboration, open mindedness, authenticity, curiosity, knowledge creation, creativity, integrity, collegiality and an entrepreneurial spirit. These values have served us well through the years; the research agenda will reinforce them. (Read the Oregon State University Research Agenda)
Multimedia Connections
Progress on the Multi-Animal Teaching Facility
The Multi Animal Teaching Facility has been designed to replace seventy year old barns on the OSU Animal Sciences farms. These buildings will support teaching and research in Animal and Rangeland Sciences, General Agriculture and Agricultural Education and the outreach effort of the College of Agricultural Sciences. There will be a multipurpose building containing teaching classrooms and laboratories, a farm shop and an animal research facility at the site. The live camera is centered on the site of the old sheep barn and will essentially be the center of the new complex of buildings. (Watch the progress)
Central Oregon is MARVelous
Marv Butler, Director of the Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center, is keeping stakeholders and others interested in the latest news at COARC via his new blog.
Facebook Pages
College of Agricultural SciencesBiological and Ecological Engineering
OSU Beavers
OSU Extension
OSU Agricultural Executive Council
OSU Department of Horticulture
Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center
OSU Superfund Research Program
Chintimini Wildlife Center video produced by F&W graduate
Georgia Beers, a 2011 graduate of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, along with her brother produced an excellent video about the work of the Chintimini Wildlife Center in Corvallis. Georgia and several other OSU students also are featured performing internships in the video.
Watch Videos About OSU
Oregon State has it's own YouTube channel and it's well-stocked with interesting stories.
Are you Powered by Orange?
Find out how people connected to Oregon State University are making this world a better place. Read their stories and find out how you can be involved.
Reaching Out
At the Oregon State Fair
The Oregon State Fair is 11 days, 110 hours and thousands of conversations. The meaningful interactions that we had in our College booth with the fair-going public was way up from last year. Our booth was a hit with numerous opportunities for hands-on learning. The State FFA Officers stepped up and helped with multiple shifts – including on the super busy "Ag Day". See you again next year!
Online and on-campus viticulture classes
Patty Skinkis’ online and on-campus viticulture class for college students and people in the the wine industry. Since 2008, Skinkis has been simultaneously offering the upper-division, 10-week course on campus and online so she can reach two audiences at once. Skinkis is not only a professor and researcher, she's also the statewide viticulturist with the OSU Extension Service. When wearing the Extension hat, her job is to educate and help professionals at Oregon's 849 vineyards and 315 grape-crushing wineries. But she can't spend all her time on the road, so this class means she doesn't have to gas up the car as much. (Read story by Tiffany Woods)
Senator Merkley visits MCAREC
US Senator Jeff Merkley, attended a recent Hood River Community Town Hall meeting wearing the MCAREC hat. It was a good chance for him to see the importance of his support for Extension and agricultural research. He is with Brian Tuck, Director of the Mid- Columbia Research and Extension Center.
Food for Thought Series begins 7th Season
(Gazette-Times) The Outreach in Biotechnology program presents its seventh season of the Food for Thought community lecture series at the LaSells Stewart Center, bringing internationally recognized experts to discuss new options for producing sustainable food and fuel.
Art About Agriculture receives special grant
The College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, has acquired the photograph by Harrison Branch, OSU Art Professor Emeritus, Untitled, for the Art About Agriculture Permanent Collection. Professor Branch’s 1980 photograph portrays a woman at her farm in Junction City, Oregon. It is on display in 138 Strand Agriculture Hall on the OSU main campus. This work was 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, and the late Margaret Hogg. (Read more...)
Faculty and Staff
John Killefer hired as head of Animal and Rangeland Sciences
Oregon State University has hired an alumnus who is a meat scientist at the University of Illinois to head its forthcoming animal and rangeland sciences department. John Killefer, who earned a doctoral degree in animal science from OSU in 1990, will start work in September. He is a professor of meat science and muscle biology at the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois.
John Talbott named Western Region Sun Grant Director
Oregon State University has named John Talbott as the new director of the Western Region Sun Grant program, through which he will oversee Sun Grant operations in nine states and several Pacific islands. His appointment is effective immediately.
Koong is new Executive Director of Agricultural Research Foundation
The Executive Committee of the Agricultural Research Foundation has appointed Kelvin Koong as its executive director on a part-time basis, effective August 15, 2011. Dr. Koong is a professor of animal sciences and has held a variety of administrative posts since arriving on campus in 1987. He has served as Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Head of the Department of Animal Sciences and Interim Dean and Director of the OSU Extension Service.
Case of the pedaling professor
(Electric Bike Report.com) One of the things that makes electric assist biking so much fun is the varied reasons why people get into it, so this week we begin a new feature called “E-bike Stories”, an opportunity for you to share your story and presumably your passion. Professor John Luna recently retired from Oregon State University in Corvallis, where he taught agricultural ecology and sustainable farming, concentrating on vegetable growing.
Blazing a trail for better berries
(OregonLive) As I lifted the perfectly shaped crimson strawberry to my lips I knew I was in for a taste sensation, yet when I bit into it I still found myself surprised by just how ripe and luscious it was. A juicy sweetness bathed my taste buds, yet the texture was firm enough to offer a satisfying bite.
This berry -- ORUS 3019-2 -- was among the best I have ever tasted yet it still had not earned a name. It was surrounded by several other nameless berry varieties picked fresh that morning at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Aurora, waiting to be tasted, evaluated and ... (Read more...)
Hermiston's newest entomologist is perfectly at home
When Alexzandra Murphy left her hometown to follow her dream of being an entomologist, she never knew the path she was beginning would lead her right back to where she grew up.
Alumni, Donors and Friends
Changes to ER Jackman
E.R. Jackman Friends and Alumni is chartered by the College of Agricultural Sciences as a membership organization for the College’s alumni and friends. It is aligned with the OSU Alumni Association in a mutually supportive, affinity relationship. We are the first college at Oregon State University to try this new relationship with the alumni association.
E.R. Jackman Friends and Alumni will serve as the champion for lifelong relationships among the College of Agricultural Sciences and its students, alumni, and friends. This organization and its members will plan, participate in, and support student programs, alumni relations, friend-building, and fundraising on behalf of the College of Agricultural Sciences. You are invited to join E. R. Jackman Friends and Alumni as a member, and support the efforts of your alma mater, the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences! For more information – check out our newly established website.
Update on The Capital Campaign
In the Campaign to date, donors have created a total of 49 endowed faculty positions, which brings the total number at OSU to 96. The strategic use of these endowed faculty position funds helps the university recruit and retain world-class faculty — those who will train the next generation of leaders to carry forth the work of making our state and our world a better place. (Read more from Todd Bastian)