CORVALLIS, Ore. — Vehicles arrived early and lined up — sometimes for several blocks — to receive free KN95 masks and Oregon-made hand sanitizer designated for Oregon’s agricultural and farmworker communities.
The statewide initiative delivered 915,000 KN95 masks and 5,000 gallons of hand sanitizer in 18 counties.
On May 27–28, at 18 distribution sites across the state, Oregon State University Extension Service employees partnered with the Oregon Army National Guard and Oregon Department of Agriculture to sort, load and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to agricultural producers and farmworkers. The effort was part of Oregon’s $30 million investment to secure the state’s food supply chain and protect essential agricultural workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In total, the statewide initiative delivered 915,000 KN95 masks and 5,000 gallons of hand sanitizer in 18 counties. Partners included Oregon State Extension, the Oregon Army National Guard, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.
“Extension was proud to partner in this phenomenal effort,” said Anita Azarenko, interim vice provost for Oregon State’s Division of Extension and Engagement. “Because Extension is deeply embedded in our communities, we were uniquely positioned to help distribute material that is crucial for keeping those on the frontlines of the pandemic safe and able to produce food for Oregon’s families.”
Clackamas County distributes 70,000 masks
In Oregon City, Extension and its partners supported 150 farm owners and labor contractors with more than 70,000 KN95 masks and 80 cases — 1,666 24-ounce bottles — of hand sanitizer. About 100 people arrived during the first 90 minutes of the event. Extension staff delivered the remaining supplies to Clackamas County’s emergency operations center for continued distribution to those unable to attend the one-day event.
“It’s been difficult for agricultural producers, who like all of us are trying to adjust to the ‘new normal,’” said Leah Sundquist, county liaison and administrative office manager for Extension in the county. “This is a good opportunity that will help them.”
Marion County team works in the heat
At the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Marion County Extension employees loaded vehicles in 80-degree heat.
“A lot of people came together to say yes, we can do this,” said Mark Chien, local liaison and administrative office manager for Extension in the county. “Similar to the Guard, Extension is represented in every county in Oregon. When we get partners like these together, it makes for excellent teamwork.”
Farmers line up early in Linn and Benton counties
In Linn County, vehicles began arriving more than an hour before the scheduled start time at the Extension office. Michele Webster, administrative office manager and local liaison, said farmers learned about the event through the OSU Extension network. The distribution also included support for farmers in neighboring Benton County.
Southern Oregon line stretches around the building
At the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) in Central Point, vehicles lined up 30 minutes early.
“We had a line up around the building, almost out to the road,” said Richard Roseberg, director of SOREC. Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station employees worked through the day as temperatures reached 96°F.
Educational materials shared across all sites
Extension staff and volunteers at all sites also distributed high-speed handwashing posters developed by Family and Community Health faculty. The posters demonstrate how groups of 20–30 people can wash their hands properly in five minutes or less.
Some sites also provided free cookbooks from Food Hero, an Oregon State Extension social marketing campaign that empowers families to make healthy, fun and tasty food choices.
Collaborators helped coordinate logistics
Determining the 18 distribution sites required close coordination with the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon State Fairgrounds, and several county fairgrounds across the state.
Previously titled Extension helps distribute KN95 masks, hand sanitizer to Oregon's agricultural and farmworker communities
