Business management

Latest Resources

Beginning Farmers Guide (in English)

Farm Aid

Mar 2018 | Online resource

Meat and poultry processing regulations in Oregon: A short guide

Farmers and ranchers around Oregon raise and sell livestock and poultry for a variety of local and regional markets. Processing is a necessary but often complex link in the chain connecting farms to end consumers. Here are ...

Lauren Gwin, Rebecca Thistlethwaite | Dec 2024 | Article

Hemp industry in the United States and Oregon

See the trends in floral, fiber and grain hemp production in the United States and Oregon counties.

Govinda Shrestha, Samikshya Pandey | Jul 2024 | Article

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How much can I charge for my farm products?

By Teagan Moran Heidi Noordijk Maud Powell and Larry Lev

Determining the “right” pricing for your products can be challenging for new and experienced farmers and ranchers. Several variables — including cost of production, competition, customer makeup and season — affect pricing. This publication outlines some key considerations that should affect what you charge.

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Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Farming Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Custom-exempt Slaughter and Processing Facilities in Oregon for Beef, Pork, Lamb and Goat

Oregon livestock producers selling retail cuts of meat by the package to consumers are required to have livestock slaughtered and processed at a USDA-inspected facility. However, some producers choose to sell live ...

Rebecca Thistlethwaite | Jul 2022 | Extension Catalog publication

What Can I Do with My Small Farm? Selecting an Enterprise for Small Acreages

Covers the many factors involved in making decisions related to the use of small-farm property. Discusses the small farm as a hobby, an agricultural tax deferral, and a family income. Explains how to match crop...

Amy Garrett, Chip Bubl, Garry Stephenson, Maud Powell, Lauren Gwin, Melissa Fery, Heather Stoven | Jun 2021 | Extension Catalog publication

Unoccupied aerial systems: A guide for finding the right system for your Oregon farm

Modern farm operations increasingly rely on technology to reduce workload and maximize farm profit. Unoccupied aerial systems are another example of technology deployed for agricultural production. How can this technology...

Kristine Buckland, Ann Rasmussen, Lloyd Nackley | Oct 2020 | Extension Catalog publication

More Farm Management Resources

North American Farm Direct Marketing Association (in English): North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is a membership association dedicated to nurturing the farm direct marketing industry.
Oregon Farmers' Markets Association (in English): The mission of OFMA is "To sustain and promote Oregon farmers’ markets while building community support and economic stability for Oregon’s family farms, small food producers, processors and artisans."
National Agricultural Statistics Service (in English): Detailed information on crops and returns for each state by commodity with some historical data. This site does not contain detailed information on some specialty crops.

Beekeeping Resources

Honey Bee Colony Maintenance Expenses: Supplemental Feed, Requeening and Medication

Success in pollination, honey production and other aspects of a beekeeping business depends on honey bee health. Strong, thriving colonies require many inputs from the beekeeper, including feed (carbohydrates and protein), medications and new queens when necessary.

Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili | May 2020 | Extension Catalog publication

Operational Equipment Expenses for a Commercial Beekeeping Operation in the Pacific Northwest

When developing a business plan for a commercial beekeeping operation, a beekeeper must plan for honey production. Even if other income sources, such as pollination or nucleus/package/queen sales, are expected to be ...

Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili | May 2020 | Extension Catalog publication

Beekeeping Equipment Expenses: Woodenware and Other Components

Woodenware for a typical honey bee colony includes vertically stackable boxes with removable frames, a bottom board, lid and a queen excluder. The most common design is Langstroth equipment. Langstroth colony ...

Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili | May 2020 | Extension Catalog publication

Revenue Sources for a Commercial Beekeeping Operation in the Pacific Northwest

Pollination services and honey production are the primary revenue sources for a beekeeping business based in the Pacific Northwest. Those starting a beekeeping operation should focus on two to three revenue sources ...

Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili | May 2020 | Extension Catalog publication

Latest News

Incarcerated students use OSU Extension materials to plan a farm

Twenty inmates at the prison in Salem took the class, which met once a week over four months.

Chris Branam | Aug 2, 2024 | News story

OSU Extension Small Farms Program among nation’s best

The program works toward improving small-farm horticultural production and small-scale livestock, poultry and forage production.

Lauren Gwin | Apr 2024 | Impact story

Networks foster support and learning as women in agriculture surge

Since 2007, growing out of the success of Willamette Women's Farm Network, two additional OSU Extension Women Farm Networks formed in the north Willamette Valley and in Southern Oregon.

Teagan Moran | Apr 2022 | Impact story

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Meet Our Experts

Tim Delbridge

Assistant Professor

Kathleen Lillis

Information Technology Consultant-2

Contact me for questions on website content, video and data assistance. I may also help with a myriad of other tech support questions for the ECTU and Web Communications team. For website requests you may submit a ticket at beav.es/extension-support for technical mysupport.oregonstate.edu/esp select "I need something" and choose Extension IT.

Belisario Nigenda Pérez

YEA CN Program Manager

Rebecca Thistlethwaite

NMPAN Director

Contact for meat sales, science, & processing questions.

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“Pregúntale a Extensión” es una forma de obtener respuestas del Servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University. Contamos con expertos en familia y salud, desarrollo comunitario, alimentación y agricultura, temas costeros, silvicultura, programas para jóvenes y jardinería.

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Laws for u-pick and farm stands?

P: I have a lavender farm in Clackamas county and I am wanting to open up to u-pick for the summer. We are zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) I have not been able to get a clear understanding from the county on whether ...

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