Dr. Ivory W. Lyles is the new director of extension and also the vice provost for extension and engagement at OSU. He comes to us from the University of Nevada, Reno and started on September 30. Marion County was one of the first extension offices he visited, where he met with faculty, staff, and extension stakeholders. He has hit the road running hard, with plans to visit all 36 counties in his first 100 days. He met with the state extension community advisory network (ECAN) and is seeking a full understanding of the OSU extension system and those we serve. Dr. Lyles grew up on a small farm in Mississippi and has degrees from Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University, and The Ohio State University, and has a long career in extension including the University of Arkansas and University of Tennessee. At every meeting Dr. Lyles makes it very clear to all that he has an open door policy. We are anxious for us and our community partners to get to know him better and work with him to enhance Marion County extension's positive impact on the community. Click HERE to read the OSU press release about Dr. Lyles.

During his visit to Marion County Extension Dr. Lyles met with Tamra Goettsch, director of Marion County Community Services, Jared Hibbard-Swanson, Marion-Polk Food Share Community Gardens and ECAN member, Dr. Jessica Howard, president of Chemeketa Community College, and Colm Willis, Marion County Commissioner. The conversation was lively and explored innovative and practical ways that these amazing organizations whose singular mission is to improve the lives of people, families, and businesses in Marion County, can work together to achieve this lofty goal.

KN95 Masks: OSU Extension has a small amount of KN95 masks to distribute to Marion County farmers, farm workers, and food processors. Contact our office if you need masks.

Extension strives to deliver research-based information and services that matter to the citizens of Marion County. Basic and applied esearch done in Corvallis and at OSU research stations may not be directed at Marion County, but the information and recommendations produced can often be used here. That is what our faculty seeks to do. Visit our office or website to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we can assist you.

After a delay in training due to the pandemic, OSU Extension is poised once again to train new master gardeners in Marion County. A blend of online and in-person learning will be used but all the information comes straight out of OSU research and extension programs.

Tiered pricing and scholarships are available. Click HERE for full information, schedule, and registration, or contact Brooke Edmunds if you have any questions.

100 Million. That's the number of tree seedlings that are needed to replant Oregon's burned forests, and many of them will be needed in Marion County. If you think the supply chain is stressed for appliances and household goods, try getting a tree seedling these days. With over one million acres burned in 2021-22 it will take many years to replant our forests. Harsh summer conditions also creates a lot of stress for young and old trees alike and extension offers management practices that can help your trees to survive. Click HERE to get more forestry information.

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/marionfarms

Marion County Economic Development’s Broadband Initiative https://www.co.marion.or.us/CS/EconomicDevelopment/Pages/Broadband-Initiative-.aspx

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Eli Heindricks at eheindricks@co.marion.or.us or 971-209-9606.

Build an Absorption Color Wheel and a DIY Pumpkin Volcano! Learn about and color whole grains. Create a Thankful Tree with your family, be a Food Hero and learn how to make butternut squash and chile pan fry (Mmmm!), and receive Oregon Pandemic EBT funds to help feed students at home. It's all in the November issue of the 4-H Central Workbook in both English and Spanish. And for even more fun activities you can access the past issues in the archive, and join 4-H to receive future issues of the workbook.

Help extension agritourism to better serve Marion County farms by filling out this five-minute survey. Using your information, we can develop programs and educational resources that will have the most impact for your farm. Agritourism is growing fast in the county and extension wants to support its growth with research-based information. Click HERE to access the survey. Thank you!

We see cows and horses in fields in the winter and wonder if they are cold. If only they could talk! Animals are able to adjust to winter temperatures, but the prudent and caring farmer tends to special needs of livestock in the winter by making sure they have water to drink and bedding to lay on, as well as tending to their other needs. Read more about how to keep your animals safe and healthy during the cold winter months.

You have read about the growing olive industry in the Willamette Valley before in this newsletter. The research continues with over 100 olive cultivars recently planted in a new trial at OSU NWREC in Aurora. This experiment seeks to identify cold-hardy and high quality olive trees that will tolerate Oregon winters. If successful, this applied research could have a very positive impact on the future of this new crop in Oregon. To read about the trial, click HERE.

This webinar on December 14 at 6 PM will teach the basics of groundwater for drinking and septic uses, and how to protect your family, neighbors, and animals, property value, and ground water resources. It is offered by the OSU Extension Small Farms Program and Rural Living Basics. Click HERE for program information and pre-registration.