AURORA, Ore. — From a stint at a nursery to studying molecular biology to researching crops in Hermiston, Scott Lukas followed a circuitous path to his new role as Oregon State University Extension Service berry specialist.
Lukas, who most recently worked as associate professor and researcher at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, managed research on more than 200 irrigated specialty crops including blueberries, strawberries, melons and tree fruits. He also conducted work on vegetables such as onions, sweet corn and beans.
Now, in his new position at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, Lukas will focus solely on small fruits — blueberries, blackberries, red and black raspberries, cranberries and kiwi. The position, funded in part by an endowment, continues the research, teaching and outreach led by recently retired OSU Extension berry specialist Bernadine Strik.
“We are looking forward to Dr. Lukas joining our team of excellent faculty at NWREC,” said Surendra Dara, NWREC director. “The berry research program at NWREC serves the critical needs of the Oregon berry industry in the Willamette Valley and elsewhere. I have full confidence that this program will continue to grow under Dr. Lukas’ leadership and exceed our stakeholders’ expectations.”
Building on Strik’s legacy
During Strik’s 34-year career, blueberries became a signature Oregon crop. Acreage increased from 1,200 to 15,000 acres, making the state the nation’s second-largest producer. In 2020, Oregon produced 154 million pounds of blueberries worth $120 million, ranking the crop 11th in the state.
Strik also led a 14-year project on organic blueberry production that helped increase organic acreage from 2% in 2006 to 20% in 2020, making the Pacific Northwest the world’s largest organic blueberry production region.
When Lukas served Umatilla and Morrow counties, organic blueberries became a major part of his work, eventually accounting for 80% of his time.
“Scott is a great hire for our berry research,” said Mike Bondi, former NWREC director. “He built an excellent program in Hermiston. He’s personable, understands growers’ needs and is on top of the science.”
Finding joy in the greenhouse
Lukas grew up in Reno, Nevada, and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, followed by a master’s and doctorate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
As a student, he discovered his love of plants in a horticulture class greenhouse.
“The horticulture class had a greenhouse,” Lukas said. “That was the first greenhouse I’d ever been in and I fell in love. I was so excited about my first harvest. It was a little thing but I still remember the feeling of producing something.”
He later worked in a nursery and pursued biology with specializations in molecular biology and ecology. An internship studying deep-sea hydrothermal vents turned his attention briefly toward marine biology — until he discovered he was prone to seasickness during a Fish and Wildlife research expedition. That realization, he said, redirected him toward the work he is doing today.
Short- and long-term priorities
As he steps into his new role, Lukas said his first priority is maintaining continuity with Strik’s program.
“Bernadine did an amazing job creating this program,” he said. “She built networks, did impactful research and put together a really amazing team. I want to make sure they have what they need to continue ongoing projects so we don’t lose time or move backward.”
In the short term, Lukas said the berry program must address extreme heat events, which threaten small fruit production. He plans to explore overhead cooling systems and automated irrigation technologies that save water, time and money.
Looking ahead, Lukas said his team will focus on labor, which is a growing bottleneck in agriculture. Goals include identifying mechanized harvesting methods and training workers and managers.
Berry program “2.0”
Lukas envisions a “Berry Program 2.0,” where technological innovations play a larger role in farming. That could include using drones to assess crops and automation to streamline production.
“The Department of Horticulture is excited to welcome a well-established faculty member to North Willamette Research and Extension Center where he will continue and expand his research and Extension programs serving berry growers in Oregon,” said Bill Braunworth, head of the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “We are very thankful to the groups and individuals who have contributed to the endowment that provides important support to this position.”
Previously titled Lukas brings new perspective to Extension's Willamette Valley berry program
