These past two months have beencrazy—for all of us. What started out as apretty normal late winter and early spring,quickly changed dramatically when theCOVID-19 situation hit. NWREC and allOregon State University facilities, on cam-pus and off campus, closed to the publicon Monday, March 16.

This newsletter is meant to catch you upon life at NWREC for these past severalweeks, let you know we are all still work-ing—and, have been along (even thoughyou might not see us as much)—and, con-tinuing to support Oregon agriculturewhile doing this work, sometimes, insome different ways.

At the time of this writing, there are stillmore unknowns than knowns. We don’tknow when we will be allowed to provideopen access to the Research Center for ourfaculty and staff. The Governor’s ExecutiveOrder requires us to work remotely. But,since agriculture is considered an essentialservice, NWREC is allowed to continueworking, on-site, with limited access.Currently, we have been limiting access toabout 10 to 20 faculty and/or staff atNWREC per day (plus the Farm Staff whohave been here every day throughout thecrisis), depending on where people areworking and the spaces they need to occu-py to support their research and teaching.

Also, we have no idea when we will re-open to the public—once again—muchless, host meetings or education pro-grams, events, and activities through theentry gate. Our guidance is coming fromthe Governor’s Executive Order on this,

too. Right now, we do know that publicschools are closed through June 13.Higher education followed the same clo-sure schedule.

And, since many of our larger public eventsdo require advance planning and logistics,many activities for the summer havealready been cancelled, postponed, or arebeing re-configured to offer “remotely”.

And, just now, as the economic impactsand budgetary shortfalls that will resultfrom the COVID-19 crisis are becomingmore and more apparent, we are prepar-ing for pending reductions to currentbudgets and those for the coming fiscalyear. Most businesses, organizations, non-profits, government agencies are all fac-ing similar challenges.

A Newsletter for Friends of North Willamette Research and Extension Center SPRING/SUMMER 2020

NWREC in the COVID-19 World

extension.oregonstate.edu/NWREC

Down on the FarmChanges Distribution

NWREC’s Down on the Farm newslet-ter will no longer be printed andmailed. We apologize. Right now, thiscost is a luxury we are needing toeliminate. The newsletter will contin-ue to be available electronically dis-tributed to our email list only. For thisissue, we will be reaching out to ourprint mail list subscribers to invitethem to receive their copy of Downon the Farm electronically or access-ing on NWREC’s website, as well aspast issues are archived there.

Thank you for your continued support!

We are not planning any education events this summer at NWREC. Not knowingwhat state, county, or University restrictions may be in place at this time, makes it justtoo difficult to plan. The large and regular events below have been canceled. Pleasestay tuned and watch our website for the latest information (https://extension.ore-gonstate.edu/county/nwrec/events).

June 10 Strawberry Field Day (1:00-4:30pm) CANCELED

June 15-17 Youth Farm Tractor Safety Training & Certification (8:00am-4:30pmeach day) CANCELED

June 22-24 Youth Farm Tractor Safety Training & Certification (8:00am-4:30pmeach day) CANCELED

July 8 Caneberry Field Day (1:00-5:00pm) CANCELED

July 22 Blueberry Field Day (1:00-5:00pm) CANCELED

July 29 NWREC Community Open House CANCELED

Sept. Harvest Dinner—tentative to be determined

Calendar of Events

Tragic Loss of Great Friendand Researcher

For anyone around NWREC and the BerryResearch program, you would haveknown or knew of Dr. Chad Finn. Chadpassed last December. Long-time OSUcolleague and NWREC’s Berry ResearchLeader, Dr. Bernadine Strik, prepared thefollowing summary highlighting Chad’scareer and impact on the berry industryin Oregon.

Chad E. Finn (1962-2019)

Dr. Chad Finn, the USDA-ARS berry cropsbreeder, died on December 17, 2019, frominjuries suffered in a tragic accident whileon vacation in Hawaii. Chad worked veryclosely with Bernadine Strik, OSU profes-sor of horticulture, in the CooperativeBreeding Program. Chad’s advanced selec-tions of strawberry, blueberry, red andblack raspberry, and blackberry are plant-ed in 7 acres at the NWREC. These arecompared to standard industry cultivarsfor yield and fruit quality; the best arereleased as new cultivars for the industry.

Chad was an extremely accomplished sci-entist, had valued colleagues throughoutthe world, and believed in serving indus-try and professional organizations. In his26-year career, Chad developed what

many consider the most diverse berrycrop breeding program in the world. Hereleased or co-released 51 new cultivars(21 blackberry, 11 red raspberry, 12 straw-berry, and 7 blueberry). His first genetical-ly thornless trailing blackberries, ‘BlackDiamond’ and ‘Columbia Star’, are majorcultivars. Chad recently released ‘Galaxy’,‘Eclipse’, and ‘Twilight’ blackberry, the firstto combine eastern traits and westerntrailing ones, for late-season fresh market.In strawberry, ‘Tillamook’, with high yield,large berry size, and high picking efficien-cy, dominates the area planted in Oregon.‘Vintage’ and ‘Kokanee’ primocane-fruitingraspberries are grown throughout NorthAmerica. His most recent commercialblueberry, ‘Mini Blues’, is unique in pro-ducing very small, exceptionally-flavoredfruit for a machine-harvested processedniche market. The impact of his cultivarsto nurseries and growers in the north-western region of the USA was over $450million for the last 10 years.

He was known for living life to its fullest,

his boisterous, joyful personality, boom-ing, infectious laugh, and enveloping,strong hugs. Chad had a clear passion forhorticulture sharing this with students,industry, colleagues, and friends world-wide. All who knew him respected himand considered him a friend. Chad will belong remembered for his accomplish-ments, generosity, big heart, and brightpersonality. He will be greatly missed.

The berry crop breeding team at theNWREC, OSU, and the USDA-ARS, HCRUwill maintain the selections at the NorthWillamette Research and ExtensionCenter and in Corvallis and evaluate themin Chad’s absence. The USDA-ARS will beworking to re-fill his position.

Organic Extension ProgramLaunches in January

One of the new priorities for Oregon StateUniversity coming out of the last Sessionfor the Oregon Legislature in July, 2019,was funding to create the OrganicAgriculture Extension Program. This pro-gram had been a vision of a broad rangeof agricultural industry stakeholders andlead by Friends of Family Farms, OregonTilth, Oregon Organic Coalition, andOrganic Valley.

Nick Andrews, Metro Small FarmsExtension Agent for the past 14 years, wasinvited to provide leadership for theOrganic Ag Extension Program and beganhis new assignment in January. Nick hasworked closely with organic growers andthat segment of the food productionindustry in the region as a part of hisSmall Farms Extension assignment. Nickwill continue to be stationed at NWREC inhis new role.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” Nicksaid. “A large majority of the organic agri-culture industry in our state is centered inthe Portland metro and north WillametteValley region. And, continuing to belocated at NWREC where I can work close-ly with the Metro Small Farms team, otherfaculty, and have access to land forresearch and education will be a hugebenefit as we get this program going.”

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NWREC Latest Happenings BC—Before COVIDBefore our world changed with the Corona virus pandemic, there was certainly plenty going on in and around the NWREC family tobring you up to date on. Here’s a few of those highlights to share.

Memorial Established inChad’s Memory

Chad Finn’s family has established aOSU Foundation fund in his memo-ry. Anyone wishing to contribute isinvited. Memorial gifts can be sentto:

OSU Foundation Memorial Fund4238 SW Research WayCorvallis, OR 97333

(or gifts can be made online atwww.osufoundation.org)

Please note “In memory of ChadFinn” on the memo line of yourcheck or the online form.

Funds will be used to supportscholarships for student travel,plant breeding, and OSU women’sbasketball.

Please include your mailing addressand email, so that the family canshare with you the details of thisScholarship when it is finalized.

Nick will focus his Organic AgricultureExtension work in vegetable production.A second Extension field faculty positionwas funded by the Legislature last sum-mer to focus on Organic pastures and for-ages. That position is expected to behoused in the Corvallis area.

Interim Leader Announced

Heidi Noordijk, MetroExtension Small FarmsCoordinator atNWREC, assumed theinterim leadership forthe program inFebruary. Heidi beganher career with OSUExtension in 2012when hired by NickAndrews to be his Education ProgramAssistant. Heidi has built strong relation-ships in the metro small farms communityand taken lead roles on several importantproject over the years—including theClackamas Small Farms School, the culi-nary breeding network vegetable varietyevaluations, North Willamette WomenFarmer Network, plus a host of other proj-ects.

Heidi is well-known for her passion forsmall farm agriculture, positive and can-do attitude, and work ethic. She will pro-vide leadership until a new Metro SmallFarms faculty member can be hired. Anational search is planned.

Winter Busy Time forNWREC Faculty

January and February were busy monthsfor the winter meetings and the educa-tion program season for NWREC’s facultyand staff. Looking back, there was theannual hazelnut winter meeting inCorvallis attended by more than 1,200growers. The North WillametteHorticultural Society moved their annualgrower meeting of farmers from theClackamas County Fairgrounds/EventCenter to the Monarch Hotel. The annualBlueberry Conference had another bigcrowd of nearly 500 at their Salem venue.And, Christmas tree growers gathered fortheir winter short course in early March inWilsonville.

Oregon’s mild winter climate is well suitedto storage crops and over-wintered fieldvegetables for local and regional markets.However, there are currently few locally-grown winter vegetables in produce mar-kets from January through April. ManyEuropean and Asian countries with similarclimates have more robust local andregional winter produce markets thatdemonstrate the potential to increase thismarket in Oregon. Growers, chefs, whole-sale buyers, seed suppliers, and con-sumers are interested in developingrobust winter vegetable production andmarketing systems in Oregon and thePacific Northwest. The DevelopingOregon’s Winter Vegetable Market projectaims to address this need.

Heidi Noordijk, Nick Andrews, and ClintTaylor—OSU’s Metro Extension SmallFarms team—grew 7 crops and 52 vari-eties for the winter vegetables project thispast year at the North Willamette Research

and Extension Center.Varieties were select-ed that have been shown to be high per-forming (yield, quality, winter hardiness,and storability) and have shown good mar-ket potential in past vegetable variety trialresearch projects.

The overarching goal of this project is toincrease the production and consump-tion of locally-grown winter vegetables inOregon, including these eight crops: win-ter squash, celeriac, garlic, Brussels sprouts,cabbage, cauliflower, purple sproutingbroccoli, and radicchio.Vegetables grownat the NWREC trials were used at three out-reach events to connect farmers, seedgrowers, chefs, produce buyers and con-sumers in a fun and educational way.

Here are highlights from the Fill YourPantry + Winter Vegetable Sagra, NWRECWinter Vegetable Field Day, and the VarietyShowcase—all held this past winter.

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Celebrating Winter Vegetables and DevelopingOregon’s Winter Vegetable Market

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .continued on page 4

Over 1000 people came together on December 8 atEctotrust’s Redd on Salmon Street in Portland for the FillYour Pantry + Winter Vegetable Sagra. Thirty-one local,farm vendors participated bringing in people with over280 pre-orders and many day-of sales, and approxi-mately $85,000 of sales occurred. This event was verywell received by farmer vendors and public attendees. Chefs prepared tasting dishes and

provided kitchen demonstrations featur-ing winter vegetables grown by localfarmers and at OSU’s North WillametteResearch and Extension Center.

The tasting tables and vegetableinformation spaces created a fun,interesting and delicious space thatattracted people to come learn, taste,become inspired by and ultimatelysupport local farmers. This event andproject is working to enhance people’sideas on seasonal eating which can beyear-round in the Willamette Valley.

Fill Your Pantry—Winter Vegetable Sagra

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Winter Vegetable VarietyField Day

NWREC hosted over 90 participants for thewinter vegetable field day on February13—one of our last large public eventsbefore the COVID-19 restrictions. The fieldday brought together farmers, breeders,seed company reps, researchers, wholesaledistributors, and market managers. Crop bycrop discussions in the field provided anopportunity to view varieties still in thefield and learn about production and mar-keting techniques to improve yield, effi-ciency, and marketability. Participantsshared their ideas for future researchneeds in winter vegetable production, stor-age and marketing.These ideas will be keyto developing new research projects andtrials for future seasons.

Kelly Streit, OSU Extension faculty inClackamas County, prepared tastings ofcabbage and purple sprouting broccoli.Tables inside the Research Center featuredvarieties of storage celeriac and Brusselsprouts that were no longer in the field.

Variety Showcase

Plant breeders and chefs collaborated oncreating tasting dishes for the VarietyShowcase on February 16 at The Redd inPortland. Over 600 attendees had theunique experience to taste new and in-development vegetable, fruit and graincultivars and take part in breaking downthe walls between eaters and breeders.

The Variety Showcase provides a platformfor plant breeders, seed growers, and agri-cultural researchers to show their work,collect opinions and use this informationfor future work.

NWREC’s Javier Fernandez Salvador, NickAndrews, and Heidi Noordijk shared infor-mation about the Winter VegetableProject during the event surrounded bycrops grown at NWREC.

More information about the project,crops, and recipes can be found athttp://eatwintervegetables.com. Field tri-als and outreach events will continuethrough winter 2021. The DevelopingOregon’s Winter Vegetable Industry proj-ect is funded by the Oregon Departmentof Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block GrantProgram. We appreciate this support!

Photos: Left—Purple sprouting broccoli varieties grown in NWREC trials on display. Center— Mae and Yonder Restaurant Chef joins Anthony Codega, andJohn Navazio, plant breeders with Johnny’s Seeds, and Laura Masterson of 47th Avenue Farm in Lake Oswego to celebrate the creation of a crowd-pleasingdish of collard crisp, potlikker butter, and black garlic. The butter contained purple sprouting broccoli from NWREC (Right photo).

PHOTOS BY SHAWN LINEHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Extension Small Farms faculty, Javier FernandezSalvador (left), Nick Andrews and Heidi Noordijk.

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Even though closed to the public sincemid-March, Oregon State University’sfaculty and staff at NWREC have remainedfully employed and working to supportagriculture research and education as anessential service. Like everyone in thestate, we have been required to workremotely, when possible, practice socialdistancing, and maintain recommendedsanitation practices.

Although working remotely has workedwell for some activities, this has been achallenge for other needed activities atthe Research Center. We have continuedto have our three Farm Staff (MarcAnderson, Farm Manager; Derek Wells,Facilities Coordinator; and Joe Battilega,BioScience Tech) working every day, aswell as, providing weekend oversight andmonitoring, too.

In addition, we have created weeklyaccess schedules for the other faculty andstaff needing to be at the Center for spe-cific research or education projects. Untilthe end of April, we had been restrictingaccess to about 5-7 people on the farmeach day for projects, in addition to theFarm Staff.

Normally, our permanent number ofemployees at NWREC is 35, with most ofthese people here most of the days. Asthe spring weather and growing seasonhas progressed, there has been more andmore need for the faculty and staff to beon-site for their projects. Weather, ofcourse, impact project timings, too, for soilpreparation, amendments, pesticide appli-cations, and the wide variety of culturalpractices. But, we are managing and try-ing to maintain approximately 70-75research projects in the fields, greenhous-es and laboratories.

Meetings and educational programs arecontinuing, too. In fact, more than a fewof the faculty have commented that theyare doing more meetings than normaland remote meetings can tend to runlonger than normal and end up takingmore time than they’d like. Just abouteveryone has become an expert at Zoommeetings—and, having to deal with zoombombing!

Education delivery has been another chal-lenge and has created opportunities forsome to try new technologies. Zoom

Webinars, Facebook LIVE, and InstagramLIVE have become new terms for many.Hopefully, you’ve had the chance to expe-rience some of the virtual meetings andeducation offering of our faculty and staffat this time. There will, surely, be newways of doing business in the post-COVIDera.

In the meantime, here’s a few highlightsof this work in recent weeks.

Small Farms Reaches OutDuring Time of Need

Agriculture is essential. We all need andwant to eat. Someone has to produce ourfood, keep the supply chain moving, andsupport local farmers. Heidi Noordijktook an early lead starting the third weekof March working with local print mediato share important, and very timely, infor-mation about food and the impact ofCOVID-19 on agriculture.

Heidi worked with the Capital Press tohelp create storylines and connectreporters with local farmers for featureson the public’s growing interest in localfood and CSAs (Community SupportedAgriculture), supplying seniors and lowincome families with food, VictoryGardens, and increased demand for seedsupplies and nursery plants. About a halfdozen stories were developed over theweeks beginning in March.

Also, Heidi has worked with other SmallFarms faculty in the state to help developand disseminate information about theSmall Business Administration’s PayrollProtection Program.

Finally, Heidi has been working on createa webpage to help farmers, who are con-sidering developing a CSA for their opera-tion, evaluate this business system and itsfit for their needs. She contracted with aservice provider to develop and interac-tive flow chart to guide learning and deci-sion making. Visit:http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/csainfo.

This project is a collaboration betweenOSU Small Farms and PACSAC (PortlandArea CSA Coalition). Due to COVID-19 andrestaurants being closed, farms are look-ing for alternative markets and a CSA isone approach to consider. The CSAFlowchart for Farmers will be a landingsite for useful information and will beperiodically updated.

Instagram LIVE Reaches Outto Berry and Olive Growers

Now that online meetings have becomethe new normal, the Berry Initiative atNWREC and the Mid-Willamette SmallFarms team (Marion, Polk and YamhillCounties), began exploring options toreach, assist, and continue to provide

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .continued on page 6

NWREC Research and Education During COVID-19

NWREC’s Faculty Research Assistant, Amanda Davis, mowing in a blueberry field this spring.

resources for our farmers in Oregon. It allstated for Javier Fernandez-Salvador’s livebroadcast from his home in northeastPortland in the earlier days of the pandem-ic in Oregon. From this humble beginninghas evolved a complete series of classeswith a very active audience and faculty col-laborators from around the state.

“I received multiple questions from grow-ers and home gardeners on when andhow to fertilize their berries,” Fernandez-Salvador said. “In past years, we have heldthe traditional in-person classes at NWRECor at a grower’s farm location. But, withnew COVID restrictions, I had to come upwith a quick, innovative, and easy-to-useidea to reach our grower community.”

Fortunately for Fernandez-Salvador, hisprogram had already become popular onInstagram with about 600+ followers fromOregon, the US and around the world, tun-ing in for regular updates over the pastthree years.“We had around 30 peopletuning in for the first live broadcast, includ-ing other OSU researchers that were curi-ous to see how our new model for onlineoutreach actually worked—or, didn’t!”

After early successes—and a steady lis-

tening and viewing audience participat-ing—a spring class schedule was devel-oped. Here’s what you missed. Watch forwhat’s coming next by contacting Javier

at Javier.F-S@oregonstate.edu.

Bloom Time MeansBusy Time

The peaches, nectarine, and almond werebeginning bloom by the time COVID-19was just shutting NWREC down to thepublic. But, the show must go on.

Just inside the main entry gate and to thewest of the road, Nik Wiman and hisOrchard Crops team have an experimen-tal Prunus orchard—the botanical genusfor all three of these plants. But, you say,“You can’t grow peaches, nectarines andalmonds around here,” and you would be

Virtual Teaching—Berry Initiative program at NWRECand Mid-Valley Small Farms Program

March 24th “Organic berry fertility and nutrition”, Javier Fernandez-Salvador (Instagram LIVE)

April 1st “Up-potting olives for production in Oregon”, Tessa Barker,Javier Fernandez-Salvador, and Avery Pheil (Instagram LIVE)

April 3rd “Pruning Olives in Pots for Establishment in Oregon”,Javier Fernandez-Salvador, Tessa Barker and Avery Pheil(Instagram LIVE)

April 10th Two Parts—“Organic Fertigation for Small Acreages and Experiences with Day-Neutral Strawberries”, Avery Pheil andJavier Fernandez-Salvador (Instagram LIVE)

April 17th “Basics on High Tunnel Raspberry Production in Central Oregon—small farm trial in the high desert”, Claire Sullivan andJavier Fernandez-Salvador (Zoom and Instagram LIVE)

April 24 “Low Tunnel Production of Strawberries”, Erica Chernoh,Javier Fernandez-Salvador and Avery Pheil (Zoom andInstagram LIVE)

May 1 “Olive Propagation for Oregon”, Heather Stoven,Javier Fernandez-Salvador and Tessa Barker (Zoom andInstagram LIVE)

Follow us in Instagram @OSUSmallFarmsMWV. All classes at 2:00pm (PST) onFridays.

Javier Fernandez Salvador, all masked-up during one of his Instragram LIVE broadcasts at NWREC.

Heather Andrews, Orchard Crops FacultyResearch Assistant, evaluating peaches andnectarines for leaf curl and almonds forcold hardiness.

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mostly correct. Peaches and nectarinesare usually riddled with disease issues inthe north Willamette Valley—like peachleaf curl. Almonds are considered aCalifornia crop and out of place in ourcooler and wetter environment.

However, that’s what research is allabout—finding solutions to problemsand needs.

This trial is evaluated regularly in thebloom season—even during COVID-19.Spring is the time to collect importantdata about bloom timing, leaf curl onpeaches and nectarines , plus cold hardi-ness on almonds.

NWREC’s weekly scheduling for our facul-ty and staff has do their mission-criticalwork, while maintaining social distancing(often by themselves in an entire field,while continuing to support agriculture inthe region).

Can Just About Taste thatCider Now!

For those familiar with the NorthWillamette Research and ExtensionCenter property, you’ve probably beenadmiring the neat and tidy trellis systemdeveloped over the past three years, butwithout much planted. This is NWREC’sExperimental Cider Apple Orchard—another Nik Wiman project. Nik and hisOrchard Crops team have been collecting,gathering and propagating varieties ofcider apples from around the world todetermine which of these might grow

and perform, best, here in Oregon.

Thanks to help of J. Frank Schmidt andSon in Boring, the process of lifting of1,500 bareroot trees was turned into aquick job in March just as COVID-19 washitting. Then, came the task of plantingand fertilizing before blooming began inthe first week of April.

Besides evaluating more than 50 ciderapple varieties, the research project is alsocomparing variety performance on sever-al rootstocks plus looking at productionin an open orchard design and a highdensity, spindle system on a trellis. Intothe future, as the orchard matures, Nikhopes to evaluate mechanical harvestingsystems, too, for picking the fruit.

Can anybody say,“NWREC Cider AppleJuice for a Future Harvest Dinner?”

The Planting Must Go On...

When COVID-19 shuttered the NorthWillamette Research and ExtensionCenter, a new research project had juststarted. An experiment evaluating thesurvival, growth and development ofshade trees was intended to be on-goingover a 13-week period. The first week ofplanting was scheduled to begin onThursday, March 19.

“At first, we were just trying to figure outhow to close operations to the public anddetails around that process,” said MikeBondi, NWREC’s Director. “Also, we need-ed to develop management systems forrestricting access for the faculty and staffat NWREC. The idea about what researchto allow to proceed and what to delay,postpone or cancel was, yet, to be dis-cussed. But, the shade tree planting proj-ect was funded, the grant contract includ-ed specific deliverables and timelines, andthe work had just begun.”

Ultimately, the goal is to

provide shade tree growers

with recommendations

and best practices for early

establishment and growth.

Nursery Production Research Leader, LloydNackley, and Post Doc,Rebecca Sheridan, aremanaging the shadetree planning dateexperiment.According to Nackley,“The purpose of thiswork is to comparethe survival, growthand development forshade trees depend-ing on the time ofyear we plant.” We areplanting from mid-March through theend of June. Seventy trees are beingplanted each week. Rebecca will bestudying root development, water stress,irrigation effects, plus an array of otherparameters. Ultimately, the goal is toprovide shade tree growers with recom-mendations and best practices for earlyestablishment and growth.

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BioScience Technician, Kody Transue, sharinginformation about the growth and developmentof cider apples in the experimental orchard.

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New EquipmentStorage Building

2020 was going to be the year for impor-tant infrastructure projects at NWREC.Faculty have been needing more andmore storage space for their program’sfield equipment, but all of the space wehave at NWREC is already fully occupied.The faculty agreed to have an equipmentshed building built and funded the proj-ect by each purchasing one or morebays—each with their own programfunds.

The 13-bay structure is 156’ feet long and24’ wide. Most of the project was com-pleted, when COVID hit. What remains is aday of work. The contractor laid of theirworkers and they haven’t returned, yet, tofinish our job.

But, the project is very close to done andwill provide much needed space for trac-tors, sprayers, implements and specialtyimplements.

New Well Goes On-Line!

NWREC has needed a second functioningwell for many years. We de-commis-sioned our second well more than threeyears ago due to a severe iron bacteriaissue and pumping more and more sand.Two years ago we drilled a new well andare now just bringing this new systemonline for the farm. Special infrastructurefunding from the Oregon Legislature hasbeen available to provide the upgradesneeded to start pumping water.

A well house has been constructed, accessroad upgraded, electrical service installed,piping from the well head to the farm’sirrigation mainline, and variable frequen-cy drives for both the new well and oldwell—allowing them to work together tosupply water throughout the 160-acreproperty at times of high need. The newsystem will have the capability of deliver-ing about 600 or more gallons perminute, if needed.

For those familiar with NWREC and ourMain Parking Lot, that old, dilapidatedand forlorn looking well house on thesouth edge of the parking area, has beenupgraded, too, during the well project. All

NWREC Infrastructure Projects Moving Forward, too, During COVID

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new siding and roofing is part of thismakeover. The well house has been insu-lated, windows installed for ventilation inthe summer, and changes made toaccommodate a flowmeter to work effec-tively.

This is the last step of the NWREC wellproject and we will be ready for the com-ing irrigation season. As Farm Manager,Marc Anderson, reports. “This will be thefirst time we have ever had a truly ade-quate water supply at NWREC. Everythingin our system will have been upgraded

and current with technology. And, we willbe able to keep up with the growingneed for irrigation to support the increas-ing number of research projects atNWREC.” Marc coordinated the entirewell development project over the past

several years and helped the Center final-ly get to this point. Thank you, Marc, forall you’ve done—and, to the College andOregon Legislature for providing thefunding to make this huge upgrade forNWREC possible!

Brian Hill is a Faculty Research Assistantfor Lloyd Nackley, NWREC’s NurseryProduction Researcher. Brian joinedNWREC’s staff two years ago followinggraduation from OSU with a degree inHorticulture and a strong interest in soils,soil moisture and measurement systems.

A part of Lloyd’s research program focus-es on water efficiency management innursery crops. Together, the two havebeen working on developing a fieldteaching laboratory and demonstrationarea to show growers methods toimprove water efficiency in crop manage-ment. During the COVID crisis, Brian hasmostly been working from home. Heplanned, purchased and assembled thebasic parts for an irrigation controldemonstration project. By mid-April, hewas ready to begin installing in the fieldat NWREC.

Brian says they will be ready for summerand, hopefully, hosting education pro-grams and demonstrations. “This is goingto be really cool and a great place to

share technologies useful in efficientwater management. Using sensor-con-

trolled systems is the future—and, thatfuture is now!”

A Man with a Vision—and outstanding in his field!

Justin DeMaagd joined the NWREC team early this January comingaboard to support the IR-4 program headed by Dr. Danielle Lightle.Justin brings with him over ten years experience in nursery produc-tion and Integrated Pest Management. Over his career Justin hasbeen a valued employee at some of the Pacific Northwest’s premierwholesale producers of floral crops and vegetable transplants. Hisexperiences include coordinating crop protection strategies, provid-ing technical expertise, and experimenting with new and improvedtechnologies.

A native from Michigan, Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Plant Pathology fromMichigan State University in 2008, and moved to Oregon in 2009 to start a career as ahorticulture technician. Justin has always wanted to help growers by providing excellenttechnical support in pest management and plant health. “I have always valued theimportance of agriculture extension and it has been my desire to support agricultureresearch and outreach programs. I now have that opportunity to follow my passion.”

Justin loves agriculture and plants in general. Even when not working, he loves to gar-den, and go out on nature hikes. You can usually find him trying to identify differentplants, insects, and fungi. He also loves to cook with fresh vegetables. He is super excit-ed to have such an integral role in improving how we grow our food.

This will be the first time we have

ever had an adequate water

supply at NWREC. Everything in

our system will have been

upgraded and current with

technology. And, we will be able

to keep up with the growing

need for irrigation to support

the increasing number of

research projects at NWREC.

Welcome Justin!

Brian Hill, Faculty Research Assistant, showing off his new irrigation control system that will be used forteaching and demonstrations.

Oregon State University–North Willamette Research & Extension Center15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, OR 97002 • Phone: 503-678-1264

Website: extension.oregonstate.edu/NWREC • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

North Willamette Researchand Extension Center

FACULTY & STAFFAdministration & Support StaffMike Bondi, Director

Shelley Hughes, Admin. Assistant

Jan Egli, Office Specialist

Marc Anderson, Farm & Facilities Mgr.

Derek Wells, Building/Trades Maint.

Joe Battilega, Farm Technician

Extension & Research FacultyBernadine Strik, Berry Crops Research

Leader

Wei Yang, Berry Crops Extension Agent

Javier Fernandez Salvador, Special Berry Initiative

Lloyd Nackley, Nursery & Greenhouse Production & Management Research

Luisa Santamaria, Nursery Pathologist/ Bilingual Extension Agent

Chal Landgren, Christmas Tree Extension Specialist

Nick Andrews, Organic Extension Faculty

Heidi Noordijk, Metro Small FarmsOutreach Coordinator

Kristie Buckland, Vegetable & Specialty Seed Crops Extension Specialist

Joe DeFrancesco, Pesticide Registration Research, Emeritus

Dani Lightle, Pesticide RegistrationResearch Leader

Nik Wiman, Orchard CropsExtension Specialist

Nicole Anderson, Field Crops Ext. Agent

Research & Program StaffAmanda Davis, Berry Crops Research

Pat Jones, Berry Crops Research

Sarah Doane, Berry Extension

Heather Andrews, Orchard Crops

Kody Transue, Orchard Crops

Justin DeMaagd, Pesticide Registration Research

Judy Kowalski, Christmas Tree Research & Education

Brian Hill, Nursery & GreenhouseProduction Research

Rebecca Sheridan, Nursery & Greenhouse Production Research Post Doc

Melissa Scherr, Nursery & Greenhouse Production Research Post Doc Scholar

Maria Marlin, Nursery Pathology & Bilingual Education

Brian Donovan, Field Crops ResearchAnn Rasmussen, Vegetable & Specialty

Seed Crops ResearchClint Taylor, Small Farms Education

Program AssistantAvery Phiel, Berry Initiative Research

AssistantTessa Barker, Olive Research Assistant

Become a Friend of NWREC Today!

Membership forms for the Friends of North Willamette Research and Extension Centerare also available by contacting the NWREC office at 503-678-1264 or downloading from

the website at extension.oregonstate.edu/NWREC.Contact Director, Mike Bondi, for more information or to discuss life or deferred gifts options.

Phone: 503-678-1264 • E-mail: michael.bondi@oregonstate.eduCell. 503-705-2434

Name:

Address: City, State, Zip:

Phone(s): Email(s):

I prefer to remain anonymous. Please do not publish my name in future publications.

Membership Category (circle one):

$25 Member $100 Second Crop $500 Director’s Club $2,500 President’s Club

$50 First Crop $250 Bumper Crop $1,000 Dean’s Club $5,000 Sustainable Agriculture Club

Make checks payable to: OSU Foundation–NWREC. Mail to:North Willamette Research and Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, OR 97002

Membership—Friends of North Willamette Research and Extension Center

During COVID-19, NWREC faculty and staffare out in the community and working withcooperating farmers to bring research totheir fields, too. All of this must be doneunder tight guidelines for minimizing anyopportunity for spread of the virus.

NWREC’s Field Crops team (Nicole Andersonand Brian Donovan), the Christmas Tree team(Chal Landgren and Judy Kowalski), and theIR-4 Pesticide Registration Research team(Dani Lightle and Justin DeMaagd), and theOrchard Crops team (Nik Wyman, HeatherAndrews, and Cody Transue) have had themost field work off-site in recent weeks.

Growers are contacted ahead to confirmtheir interest in having our faculty and staffon their property during COVID-19.NWREC’s faculty and staff travel by them-selves in separate vehicles if more than oneare working together. Our program vehiclesare sanitized before and/or after use by thefaculty and staff depending who else will be

using the vehicle, next. All equipmentbrought from NWREC to the field is sanitiz-ing before leaving NWREC and when return-ing. Limited contact, if any, is allowedbetween the NWREC faculty and staff andthe private owner. Social distancing of atleast 6 feet is maintained.

But, our work continues. Planting, spraying,and collecting important field data—whilekeeping our projects going has been possi-ble and will be continuing until restrictionsare lifted.

We are Out in the Community, too, During COVID