Chris Branam

News and Public Affairs Manager

I serve as the lead public information officer in the OSU Extension Communications office. I write about the following OSU Extension programs: Agricultural and Natural Resources, Forestry and Natural Resources, Sea Grant, Native American and Tribal programs and KidSpirit. I can be reached at 541-737-2940.

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541-737-2940

[email protected]

Department/Unit: Extension Communications

About
Content
Publications
Awards

Biography

Originally from Fresno, I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for nearly 20 years before moving to university communications in 2012. I joined Extension Communications in December 2016.

Content by Chris Branam

Oregon State’s plant detectives protect natural landscapes, one case at a time

The OSU Plant Clinic offers expert analysis, guidance for disease control, and hands-on learning support as part of Oregon State’s larger Extension and research mission.

Chris Branam | Jul 8, 2025 | News story

OSU Division of Extension and Engagement earns seven awards for marketing and communications efforts

The award-winning efforts involved teams from OSU Extension Communications, Extension programs and other partners.

Chris Branam | Jun 24, 2025 | News story

OSU helps launch meat cutting programs in the Pacific Northwest

OSU’s Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network and its partners aim to provide clear and sustainable career pathways for individuals to enter and grow within the meat processing industry.

Chris Branam | May 29, 2025 | News story

OSU Extension publishes accessible resources on Oregon's fire ecology

Not All Flame’s the Same introduces readers to foundational fire ecology concepts and explains how fire regimes — patterns of frequency, size and intensity — vary across regions.

Chris Branam | May 23, 2025 | News story

Unconfirmed spotted lanternfly sighting prompts reminder for vigilance

Until a physical specimen is collected and confirmed, spotted lanternfly is not considered present in Oregon.

Kym Pokorny, Chris Branam | May 22, 2025 | News story

Oregon Broadband Equity Coalition marks a year of closing the digital divide

The coalition’s work addresses the urgent need for increased broadband connectivity, particularly in Oregon’s rural areas.

Chris Branam | May 22, 2025 | News story

New chapter begins for OSU Extension Christmas tree program

Priya Rajarapu's vision is to improve Christmas tree health through interdisciplinary research to develop sustainable management practices and improved genetics.

Chris Branam | May 20, 2025 | News story

OSU Extension–HazAdapt partnership expands access to critical safety information

As of May 19, HazAdapt app users have direct access to all OSU Extension sites and publications related to earthquakes, wildfires and tsunamis.

Chris Branam | May 20, 2025 | News story

Interactive website puts Oregon’s native bees on the map

The Melittoflora, which visualizes about 106,000 records of individual bees visiting plants, is the largest bee-plant interactive network in the world.

Chris Branam | May 13, 2025 | News story

Native plants attract more pollinators than cultivars in OSU study

It was the first study of its kind to look closely at how pollinators like bees and butterflies interact with both wild native plants and their cultivated versions in the Pacific Northwest.

Kym Pokorny, Chris Branam | May 8, 2025 | News story

OSU Extension research confirms tunnel systems can extend Oregon's strawberry season

High and low tunnels help protect strawberry plants from rain and cold, raise temperatures around the plants and extend the growing season.

Kym Pokorny, Chris Branam | May 1, 2025 | News story

Free OSU Extension gardening webinar series focuses on resilience in a changing climate

The series includes six one-hour closed-captioned webinars that will be broadcast at noon via Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month through September.

Chris Branam | Apr 15, 2025 | News story

OSU builds home for organic agriculture research and outreach

OSU Extension partnered with Oregon Tilth and the Oregon Organic Coalition to develop the organic program, which is housed in the Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Chris Branam | Apr 10, 2025 | News story

Elliott named vice provost for OSU Division of Extension and Engagement, director of Extension Service

Over the last year, Elliott has worked to align OSU Extension resources with state and county priorities and strengthen collaboration of leaders and units across OSU in addressing those priorities.

Chris Branam | Mar 25, 2025 | News story

Critter Campus teaches 4-H youths about small animals

The classes were taught by registered judges, 4-H professionals, industry professionals, seasoned volunteers and expert 4-H’ers, 4-H alumni and local veterinarians.

Chris Branam | Mar 24, 2025 | News story

OSU Extension statewide seed giveaway returns for sixth year

Starting Feb. 3, individuals and households, schools and groups can sign up to receive an individual/household seed kit, group kit or seed-starting teacher classroom kit through the mail.

Chris Branam | Jan 30, 2025 | News story

4-H’ers lead tour of miniature horse farm to the delight of visiting seniors

Residents of The Springs at Sherwood got a tour of VFM Miniature Horse Farm in Hillsboro and were treated to demonstrations by members of the Mini Express 4-H Club.

Chris Branam | Dec 13, 2024 | News story

Lincoln County cooking classes, market tours encourage healthy food shopping on a budget

Guatemalan and Latinx Community Cooking Classes and Farmers Market Tours is a program offered by OSU Extension in partnership with Food Share of Lincoln County.

Chris Branam | Dec 12, 2024 | News story

4-H’s Magaña Álvarez named Distinguished Mexican in Oregon

The award recognizes Mexicans who have lived abroad for at least five consecutive years and have demonstrated an outstanding track record in the sciences, academia, technology, business and social responsibility and other areas.

Chris Branam, Hanna Knowles | Nov 13, 2024 | News story

Pioneer in Oregon 4-H Latino outreach and Cloverbuds inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

Beverly Hobbs and 14 other individuals were honored for their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

Chris Branam | Oct 15, 2024 | News story

OSU Oregon Coastal Futures Project recognized with national engagement award

The Oregon Coastal Futures Project is one of four regional award winners announced today by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Chris Branam | Aug 22, 2024 | News story

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

4-H robotics team from Yamhill County among the best at world competition

Competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition, NerdHerd was in the Curie division with a robot they named Notezart.

Chris Branam | Jul 24, 2024 | News story

Oregon 4-H achieves two top-20 finishes at shooting sports national championships

In the team standings, Oregon finished 14th – out of 33 teams – in shotgun and 18th in compound archery.

Chris Branam | Jul 12, 2024 | News story

Portlander finds purpose in OSU Extension’s Oregon Naturalist Program

A certified interpretive guide, Natalie DaSilva volunteers with outdoor organizations around the Willamette Valley, Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.

Chris Branam | Jul 10, 2024 | News story

OSU Division of Extension and Engagement earns nine awards for communications efforts

The OSU winners primarily were represented by the Extension Communications unit in the Division of Extension and Engagement.

Chris Branam | Jul 1, 2024 | News story

OSU Extension health educator awarded Bloomberg Fellowship

Olivia Davis is the only Oregonian to be awarded a 2024 Bloomberg Fellowship.

Chris Branam | Jun 18, 2024 | News story

Students go outdoors to learn about natural resources at forestry tour

This year two dozen public, private, Montessori and home-based schools signed up for the tour, with 830 students attending.

Chris Branam | Jun 17, 2024 | News story

OSU Extension offers resource for pasture and grazing management

Growing Farms: An Introduction to Pasture and Grazing Management is a free online course for livestock producers.

Chris Branam | May 18, 2024 | News story

New OSU study values annual economic impact of Willamette Valley agritourism at nearly $1 billion

Agritourism can take the form of farm-direct sales, education, entertainment, outdoor recreation and hospitality.

Chris Branam | Mar 21, 2024 | News story

Linn County families receive local food through unique Extension partnership

The project started in early December, when Extension was awarded a $5,000 local food procurement grant from Linn County Public Health.

Chris Branam | Mar 1, 2024 | News story

New OSU Master Gardener Program manager praises power of gardening networks

Leslie Madsen will provide leadership, guidance and direction for county-based OSU Extension employees who coordinate local Master Gardener programs that engage more than 2,400 Master Gardener volunteers in 27 counties.

Chris Branam | Feb 1, 2024 | News story

Surprising national finish fills Oregon 4-H dairy cattle judging team with joy

Clancey Krahn, a sixth-generation dairy farmer in Linn County, finished fifth in the individual standings.

Chris Branam | Jan 4, 2024 | News story

Extension faculty in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family and Community Health recognized by their peers

Five faculty members in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Program in the College of Agricultural Sciences were national award-winners and several faculty and staff in the Family and Community Health Program in the College of Health won awards.

Chris Branam | Dec 1, 2023 | News story

Boileau, beloved in her community, honored with garden naming

The Skuliłama Garden recognizes Arlene and Mickey Boileau’s dedication to supporting youth to become lifelong learners.

Chris Branam | Nov 3, 2023 | News story

OSU Extension developmental scientist receives national award for 4-H Thriving Model

Mary Arnold is a developmental scientist who has led positive youth development program development and evaluation in the OSU Extension 4-H program since 2000.

Chris Branam | Oct 27, 2023 | News story

Sawer, an ‘outside the box’ thinker, inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

Barbara J. Sawer, who was inducted into the Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame in 2015, served as a 4-H state youth development specialist for OSU Extension from 1974-1995.

Chris Branam | Oct 10, 2023 | News story

Oregon 4-H’ers show their love for llamas at the Clackamas County Fair

Llamas and alpacas, both native to South America, have been steadily growing in popularity among 4-H’ers across the state. There are a half-dozen 4-H llama clubs in Clackamas County.

Chris Branam | Sep 12, 2023 | News story

Crisis helpline for Oregon’s agricultural and forestry communities is now open

The Oregon Agristress Helpline – 833-897-2474 – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by call or text.

Chris Branam | Sep 8, 2023 | News story

Local food, local dollars: Community partnership promotes Klamath Basin agriculture

A partnership of OSU Extension Klamath County and Klamath Grown, a nonprofit food hub, focuses on promoting a strong local community food system.

Chris Branam | Sep 7, 2023 | News story

Determined 4-H’er helps lead effort to build a skate park in his hometown

Uriel Mejia began the effort to build a skate park in Culver when he was a freshman in high school and made a solo presentation to the city council.

Chris Branam | Jul 25, 2023 | News story

Through Juntos en el Jardin, families come together to grow their own food

Juntos en el Jardin has rejuvenated existing community gardening locations in and around Lincoln City and created spaces that expand access to growing food to Latino and Mesoamerican Indigenous families in Lincoln County that generally have less access to land for growing their own food.

Chris Branam | Jul 19, 2023 | News story

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