Support and funding

As Oregon’s statewide, land-grant university, part of Oregon State University's mission is to support all Oregonians with Extension programs, services and resources.

Extension functions as a partnership between federal, state, and local governments and private supporters. In Oregon, OSU Extension focuses on:

Healthy communities and economies
Resilient and productive forests and natural ecosystems
Sustainable agriculture, food systems, and gardening
Thriving youth, individuals and families

Update on local funding for fiscal year 2026

In June 2025, Multnomah County Commissioners voted unanimously (5-0) to approve $40,000 in ongoing funding for Oregon State University Extension as part of the county’s first year 2026 budget. This restored a cooperative funding partnership that ended in 2002, paving the way for OSU Extension to begin expanding programs and partnerships to benefit county residents.

For 2025-26, Multnomah County asked OSU Extension to focus the county’s investment toward increasing support for Multnomah County farmers, working with partners including Feed’em Freedom Foundation, Black Oregon Land Trust, Black Futures Farm and Outgrowing Hunger.

See March 2026 Feed’em Freedom Community Farm & Food Hub: Progress Report

2026-27 county budget request

OSU Extension has asked Multnomah County Commissioners to consider increased funding up to $150,000 for fiscal year 2027. With this investment, OSU Extension would continue the work with the East Multnomah County food hub made possibly by the county's FY26 investment and partner with the county to increase:

Food access and local food systems resilience
Economic opportunity and small business development
Workforce readiness and agricultural career pathways
Place-based investment in East Multnomah County
Agricultural viability in West Multnomah County, including Sauvie Island

These proposed investments address needs expressed by residents, farmers, collaborators and partners across the county.

Commissioners will consider this request as part of the Multnomah County's FY27 budget process, which includes opportunity during May 2026 for public testimony and written comments.

See OSU Extension's 2026-27 county budget request

OSU Extension's commitment to Multnomah County

OSU Extension has served Multnomah County since1916, and our commitment is as strong as ever. We will do all we can to serve county residents with the resources available to us—now and in the future.

In the long term, we will continue working with elected officials and community members with the intent to grow vital local government and partner funding that will allow us to better address county needs and priorities with a full array of OSU Extension programs and services.

"The decision by Multnomah County Commissioners to provide local funding for Oregon State University Extension reflects the power of collaboration to create a resilient, prosperous future. We look forward to working with the Board of Commissioners and collaborators across the county to grow local programs, services and partnerships that help connect every resident with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive."

- Kristopher Elliott, Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement, Director of OSU Extension Service

Investing in a vibrant Multnomah County

Building healthy communities; supporting agriculture, sustainable gardening and resilient food systems; enhancing natural resources; and engaging youth to reach their fullest potential.

Collaborating to met local needs

Agriculture, food systems and OSU Master Gardener volunteers
Forestry and natural resources education, wildfire resilience
Nutrition, food secuity and physical activity education
Regional and statewide employees and online resources also offer support

Learn more about OSU Extension in Multnomah County

Credit: Amanda Loman (Cropped from original)

Funding for OSU Extension in Multnomah County

Current ongoing funding

The OSU Extension Fire Program was created and funded by the Oregon Legislature. A regional specialist serves an area in Western Oregon that includes Multnomah County.
Per state law, OSU Extension works with all Oregon public school districts to administer the lottery-funded Outdoor School program. A regional coordinator is based in Portland.
With a county contribution, OSU funding supports regional agriculture, forestry and health Extension professionals whose service area includes Multnomah County.
OSU funding also supports a regional director who provides administrative leadership to the North Willamette region (Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington counties).

Residents of the greater Portland area also have access to programming as part of statewide and regional OSU Extension efforts, including agricultural research at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, commercial and farm food safety education through the Food Innovation Center, and educational opportunities at the Hopkins Demonstration Forest in Clackamas County and Tualatin Mountian Forest outside northwest Portland.

Current limited funding (through June 2026)

Multnomah County allocated $40,000 for OSU Extension. The county asked that OSU Extension collaborate with local partners to focus this investment on increasing support for county farmers.
A Master Gardener program assistant based in Multnomah County is supported with contributions from Metro, private philanthrophy and temporary OSU Extension funds. Trained OSU Master Gardener volunteers also serve the Portland area.
OSU funds support a part-time administrative office manager for Multnomah County, stationed at the Food Innovation Center to support local service, outreach and collaboration.

Previous project-specific support

In 2024-25, OSU Extension conducted a needs assessment for agricultural producers with project-based funding from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and support of other partners.
In the 2024-25 school year, limited in-school OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development programming was supported with contributions from Metro, grants and temporary OSU Extension funds.

Frequently asked questions

Did Multnomah County fund OSU Extension previously?

Yes. In 2002, Multnomah County officials decided to end longstanding financial support for Extension when making budget reductions because of the state's economic downturn.

Shouldn’t OSU provide Extension programs regardless of where the money comes from?

As Oregon’s statewide, land-grant university, part of our mission is to support all Oregonians with Extension programs, services and resources.

Extension functions as a partnership between federal, state, and local governments and private supporters. In this model, local government funding is intended to directly support county OSU Extension programs, services and operations.

With a county contribution, OSU invests state and federal funds, including payroll expenses for faculty assigned to serve the county and additional supports including program and volunteer management as well as HR, fiscal, contracts and technology services.
Without a county contribution, programs and services are generally limited to those funded by grants, gifts and contracts.

Multnomah County