Extension Service Site Publications

• (2023) IPM Strategic Plan for Fresh Market Brassicas in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington Growing brassicas crops in Oregon and Washington requires whole-season management to control pests. Learn how integrated pest management can neutralize pests and improve crop yields.
• (2022) Medicinal Herb Production in the Pacific Northwest Medicinal herb crops are a diverse group consisting of both annual and perennial species. Some herbs are harvested for their flower or leaf tissue; others are harvested for root tissue or fruit. Within the herb production industry, there are opportunities to identify crops that may fit well in the cropping systems of the Pacific Northwest.
• (2021) Vegetable Degree-day Models: An Introduction for Farmers and Gardeners Degree-days measure the amount of heat accumulated over time. Researchers have used years of this data to develop models that help farmers and gardeners predict harvest dates and other important events in select crops and weeds. Learn how to use an online tool known as Croptime to put these models to work for you.
• (2019) OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator: Predicting Plant-available Nitrogen Describes the OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator and using it to predict plant-available nitrogen.
• (2023) Soil Nitrate Testing for Willamette Valley Vegetable Production A soil nitrate test measures the concentration of nitrate in the soil at a specific moment in time, including nitrate originating from organic inputs, fertilizer, and soil organic matter. This publication describes how to use in-season soil nitrate testing to adjust sidedress N fertilizer application rate to match crop N requirements.
• (2016) An introduction to whole farm systems design Whole farm systems are a departure from American industrial agriculture. Whole farming takes into consideration a farming pattern that is based on diversity — biological, economical and social. Here's a guide.
• (2015) Is composting a good fit for your small farm? Compost can quickly improve degraded soil and reduce weeds, pathogens and pests. But a large-scale composting program on a small farm can be labor-intensive and costly. Here's how to decide if it's a viable option.
• (2009) Carrot rust fly biology and management Carrot rust flies are well-known to growers of carrots, parsnips, celeriac, celery and other umbelliferous crops. The adults don’t do any damage, but after eggs hatch, larvae burrow into the soil and feed on the roots.
• (2011) How to reap the benefits of winter cover crops Planting cover crops on commercial farms is a good idea that is often difficult to execute. But with the right crops and proper timing, it can be done. The effort will be rewarded with improved soil for future crops.
• (2021) Calculator that measures nitrogen in cover crops can cut fertilizer costs Calculating the amount of nitrogen a cover crop can add to a field can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for a subsequent crop, which reduces costs. Here's how to make that calculation.
• (2018) ODA Blackleg Rule and small-scale hot water seed treatment These slides describe simple hot-water treatment methods used by Wild Garden Seed and High Mowing Seed.
• (2020) Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen Release from Cover Crops This publication assists western Oregon farmers and agricultural professionals in determining the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of winter cover crops. Includes information on plant-available nitrogen (PAN) basics; a site-specific, step-by-step method to estimate PAN; Willamette Valley case studies; and appendices summarizing Willamette Valley cover crop research that supports these PAN estimates.
• (2008) Wireworm: Biology and Nonchemical Management in Potatoes in the Pacific Northwest Wireworms are among the most destructive of soil insect pests. This publication explains the wireworm life cycle and describes a program for monitoring and risk assessment. Nonchemical management methods are suggested, including crop rotation, soil drying, flooding, cultivation, resistant varieties, soil amendments, early harvest, trap crops, and biological control. Includes photos for pest identification.
• (2022) Winter Vegetable Production on Small Farms and Gardens West of the Cascades The mild climate west of the Cascades allows farmers and gardeners to grow many winter-hardy crops in the field for winter and spring harvest. A wide range of alliums, leafy greens, brassicas and root crops do well. For gardeners, these winter vegetables provide fresh, nutritious, homegrown produce from November to April. For farmers, winter vegetable production can provide cash flow outside the normal summer cropping season, more consistent work for employees and year-round relationships with direct-market customers.
• (2013) Agricultural Composting and Water Quality This publication addresses factors that farmers must consider when planning an on-farm composting enterprise: the composting process and its impact on water quality, site selection, facility layout and design, composting methods, and managing water and leachate. The content pertains to small and medium-size on-farm composting enterprises that handle about 100 to 5,000 tons of raw organic material per year.
• (2008) What's Wrong with my Potato Tubers? Diagnosing Tuber Abnormalities in Western Oregon and Washington Describes and illustrates (color photos) tuber damage caused by insect pests, plant diseases, and physiological disorders.