After a one-year pause in the county’s funding partnership with Oregon State University Extension Service, Josephine County agricultural programming began rebuilding.
By combining farm visits, producer input, soil health education, small farms programming and livestock outreach, OSU Extension is expanding local access to practical, research-based support.
Local producers needed affordable, research-based support tailored to the county’s soils, climate, crops, livestock systems and small farm economy.
That need spans commercial agriculture, small farms, livestock and forages. Producers continued to face questions about soil testing, nutrient management, irrigation, weed control, orchard production, pasture performance, forage quality and farm viability. Above all, current and new farmers want clear, practical answers about the financial realities of running an agricultural enterprise.
For small and beginning farmers, access to practical education and peer connections can help reduce risk and improve long-term success. For livestock and hay producers, direct technical assistance supports better pasture, forage and herd management decisions.
Nan Xu, an OSU Extension assistant professor of practice in crop and soil science who serves Josephine and Jackson counties, provided direct technical assistance through farm visits, consultations, workshops and educational programming focused on soil health, nutrient management, pasture systems and sustainable crop production.
Xu responded to producer questions about soil testing, weed management, irrigation, disease management, orchard production and crop performance. She also conducted on-farm visits to operations including Troon Vineyard, Fort Vannoy Farms, Daily Blessings Farm and East Fork Cultivars Farm.
A major focus of her work has been place-based soil health education for Southern Oregon conditions. In 2025, Xu launched a Soil Health Needs Assessment Survey to gather producer feedback and guide future programming.
That input helped shape the Soil Sleuth Series, a multipart workshop series on soil sampling, interpreting soil test results, sustainable fertility management and individualized soil health planning.
Small farms build resilience
Maud Powell, an OSU Extension small farms professor of practice who serves Josephine and Jackson counties, and Extension Small Farms Program staff supported beginning and diversified farmers through workshops, networking opportunities and direct consultation.
Programming focused on strengthening farm viability, improving resilience and connecting producers with practical, research-based information.
In 2025, the program organized fire resiliency learning circles in the Illinois Valley and offered Exploring the Small Farms Dream, a cohort-based series for aspiring and beginning farmers in Josephine County.
The program also supported regional producer engagement through the League of Women Farmers retreat, expanding opportunities for networking, leadership development and peer learning among Southern Oregon producers.
Livestock outreach reconnects producers
Shelby Filley, then OSU Extension livestock and forages specialist for southwestern Oregon, reestablished Extension engagement with livestock and forage producers in Josephine County through outreach, needs assessment, direct consultations and educational planning.
Filley attended a Josephine County Farm Bureau meeting as an invited speaker to discuss educational needs and Extension programming opportunities with producers and agricultural leaders.
She also conducted ranch and farm visits focused on hay production, beef cattle systems, forage improvements and agricultural development needs.
Filley retired at the end of 2025. The Josephine County Advisory Council has been engaged in the recruitment and interview process.
Public value
Agricultural Extension programming helps Josephine County producers make better decisions, reduce risk and improve long-term farm and ranch viability.
By combining farm visits, producer input, soil health education, small farms programming and livestock outreach, OSU Extension is expanding local access to practical, research-based support.
This work helps support local agriculture, improve natural resource stewardship and increase the return on public investment by reconnecting producers with Extension expertise and community partnerships.
