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OSU Extension regional director briefs county on 4‑H, crops, wildfire and outreach
Summary
Regional director Nicole Strong updated commissioners on OSU Extension activity across Jefferson County and the Tri-County area, highlighting 4‑H growth, crop and forage trials, wildfire planning and youth mentoring.
Nicole Strong, regional director for OSU Extension serving nine counties and the Warm Springs tribal office, presented an annual update to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on June 16, describing local Extension staff, programs and priorities.
Strong described staff and programming across Jefferson County: 4‑H and youth leadership events, camps and a tractor-safety class; crop and forage extension and alfalfa‑weevil trials by Gordon Jones; a regional wildfire specialist who helped produce the county’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan; livestock and veterinary outreach including vaccination and castration clinics; and community horticulture classes and a rotating High Desert garden tour.
She highlighted local youth programs including a High Desert Leadership Retreat, Camp Tumbleweed and an Iron Chef-style middle-school cooking competition that operates across Culver, Madras and Warm Springs. Strong also described Open Campus and Juntos mentoring programs that help students and families with college and career planning and FAFSA assistance.
Strong credited volunteers and an advisory board with local program delivery; she said the Jefferson County advisory board will be reactivated after recent staff turnover. She noted an open small-farms position and asked commissioners for support to fill it. On collaboration with Central Oregon Community College and other institutions, Strong said Extension offers guest lectures and campus visits to help local youth see higher-education opportunities close to home.
Commissioners asked about research for alternative crops and variety trials; Strong recommended inviting the regional crops specialist, Gordon Jones, or the county’s co‑director for more detailed presentations on variety trials and hemp innovation.
Strong closed by inviting commissioners and staff to Extension events and signups for newsletters and by noting the community benefits of gardening for food security and mental health.
