NWREC open house will offer look at large research world

Explore and engage at this year’s Community Open House at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora on Wednesday, July 17.

The free event at 15210 NW Miley Road will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and will see the facility throw open its gates to the community to showcase its research and extension programs.

Faculty and staff from NWREC will be on hand with displays and demonstrations explaining their work with hazelnuts, fruit trees, berry crops, vegetable and specialty seed production, Christmas trees, nursery and greenhouse production, nursery pathology, pest management, small-scale farming, olives and Agrivoltaics.

A special feature each year is the hay wagon farm tours that depart every 45 minutes beginning at 4:15 pm. Farm equipment will also be on display during this free event.

A highlight at the open house is the berry tasting and comparing the latest varieties being developed at NWREC for consumers. Also, you can take home fresh vegetables brought in by local farmers.

OSU Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer home landscape and gardening questions. OSU family food educators will share tips and ideas for proper food preservation and canning methods.

Clackamas County Extension’s 4-H program will have fun activities for the children. The OSU Master Melittologist program explores the world of Oregon’s native bees.

NWREC is Oregon State University’s largest experimental research facility supporting agricultural research and education outreach needs in the Willamette Valley.

For more information see NWREC’s website at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/NWREC.