Beaverton HELP Center Donation Drive a Success!

 Thank you to all who participated in our first ever donation drive! Over 200 items ranging from gift cards and food items to toiletries and quarters for laundry will be distributed to homeless youth and families in Beaverton by the School District’s Homeless Education Liaison Program HELP Center. For more information about HELP you may call 503-356-5071.

A special thank you to Jamison (pictured above with his mother, Benita, and sister, Alaina), a first grader who heard about this need and wrote a letter to his neighbors and family to ask for their help.

OSU Extension works with many organizations that support homeless youth and families in the Portland metro region and beyond. Our efforts focus on innovative ways to engage youth and families and encourage an interest in life-long health and learning.
Become an Oregon Season Tracker

 Across the country, thousands of people track rainfall and plant life stages from their homes, farms and schoolyards. Join them to become an Oregon Season Tracker volunteer. Your data will help weather forecasters, scientists, ecologists, emergency managers and others in Oregon and beyond.

The time commitment is only about 20 minutes a week. Together, we can produce a better understanding of our local climate and how it may be changing, and have fun doing so!

Those who are interested can attend a computer-based training at home that will take about two to three hours. Then they will be invited to participate in a skill-building and question-and-answer workshop 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the Vernonia Public Library, 701 Weed Ave. The event costs $40 per family you’ll receive your certified rain gauge and all collection materials.  Register today!
Native Plant & Tree Sale
The Washington County Small Woodlands Association will be hosting their annual northwest native tree and plant sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Hillsboro Armory, 848 N.E. 28th Ave. in Hillsboro. Native plants love to be planted in March. Stop by and check out the selection. Native plants are ideally suited to our local water, soil and climate conditions. They are more disease resistant, require less water and are less dependent on pesticides and fertilizers. All proceeds fund scholarships. For more information, email kgraham@duckswild.com or call 503-747-3095.
Woodmere Students Say 'Thank You'

Students at Woodmere Elementary School in Southeast Portland, express gratitude to Jennifer Nelson, OSU Extension SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, through colorful pictures and grateful words for leading fun classroom games and activities that teach students about fruits and vegetables. OSU Extension offers similar classes at sixteen Portland schools.
RECIPES
This popular spring veggie is packed with protein and vitamins. Jazz up your peas with this easy recipe the whole family will enjoy. Visit foodhero.org for more healthy and delicious recipes.
EVENTS
It's time for annual soil school ! Learn about soil structure and health, soil testing and rebuilding, permaculture, sustainable landscape design, plant problem diagnosis and more. Saturday, April 7. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PCC Rock Creek Campus, 17705 NW Springville Road in Portland. Register now!
Make a pet toy for your beloved furry friend or to give to a shelter! All are welcome to this fun and free session on March 11. 2 and 4 p.m. at the Cedar Mill Community Library, 12505 N.W. Cornell Road in Portland. No registration required. Supplies provided.
STAY PREPARED
If a disaster strikes, you may not have access to food, water, electricity for days or even weeks. Plan for a stored supply of food to sustain you and your family. Learn more in this month's Emergency Preparedness alert.
It's a bad year for rats, according to OSU Extension expert Dana Sanchez . These pesky critters are drawn to outside food sources like chicken feed, cat food and dog food, as well as kitchen scraps in compost piles. Learn how to control these rodents with control methods to prevent the spread of disease and other nuisances with effective tips from OSU experts.
Have Questions, Comments or Suggestions?
We would love to hear what you want to see in the next issue. Please send your thoughts to us at  vicki.campbell@oregonstate.edu .