February 2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about how grateful I am for the people who make up our OSU Agriculture community. Your dedication, your grit and the way you show up for producers and partners across the state and the country truly set us apart. This month has already given us meaningful chances to connect with producers nationwide, and it’s also reminded us just how essential OSU Extension is when challenges hit close to home.

Earlier this month, OSU Agriculture partnered with the OSU Foundation, Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, Oklahoma Beef Council and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry on a booth during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville. This event brought together thousands of producers and industry partners for networking, policy discussions and a trade show experience. We were able to promote the launch of the Beef Center of Excellence and thank the individual and corporate donors who have stepped up to serve on that advisory board.

Back in Oklahoma, recent wildfires have had a devastating impact, particularly in the western part of the state, burning more than 366,000 acres across Oklahoma and Kansas. OSU Extension has been actively engaged in response and recovery efforts, led by our Disaster Assistance Response Team. From wildfire evacuation checklists to mental health resources, our team is providing the information producers need to support themselves and connect families with available assistance programs.

Warm regards,

Jayson Lusk

Vice President and Dean

OSU Agriculture

Dr. Lusk's Lens

Christy and Jayson Lusk with a baby pig.

Hogs and Kisses

Christy and Jayson Lusk enjoyed a sweet Valentine’s Day visit with newborn piglets at the OSU Swine Research and Education Center.

Mission Focus

OSU Agriculture is comprised of the Ferguson College of Agriculture and two state agencies: OSU Ag Research and OSU Extension. Learn the latest from our three mission areas.

Teaching

K. Aleks Schaefer accepted the position of director of the Master of International Agriculture Program.

Research

A new wheat variety headed to market this fall is perhaps OSU’s most widely adapted since the early 2000s.

Extension

Oklahoma Gardening kicked off its 51st year of being a trusted source for novice and seasoned gardeners.

Shaping Tomorrow Today, The Future is Now

Scott Senseman speaking into a microphone.

Objectives and Key Performance Indicators - OSU Ag Research

The pursuit of broad priorities and the success of critical actions depend on measuring specific objectives through key performance indicators. Performance indicators provide a mechanism for measuring progress and ensuring OSU Agriculture’s initiatives and priorities are effectively implemented and achieved. Accordingly, the following sub-goals emerge for OSU Ag Research that support the priorities and critical actions of OSU Agriculture’s strategic plan.

Invest in resources to support and enhance faculty grant opportunities.
Increase sponsored research expenditures to $30 million per year by 2030.
Increase total research expenditures to $65 million by 2030.
Publish more than 800 peer-reviewed journal articles in reputable journals annually by 2030.
Increase the number of active OSU Agriculture faculty listed in the top 2% of scientists in their respective fields from 10 to 15 by 2030.
Enhance honorifics by providing training to new faculty on career trajectories and nominating faculty for national recognition (e.g., American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows and other national society awards). Nominate 10 faculty for AAAS Fellows from OSU Agriculture by 2030.
Start a program to provide training to faculty, staff and students on science communication by 2030.

Campus Pulse

A Day in the Life

Follow Kylie Spradling, an entomology major in the Ferguson College of Agriculture, as she shares what student life looks like in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Cultivating Excellence

Fantastic Four

OSU Agriculture faculty members received awards for their outstanding work in teaching, research and Extension.

Yanqui Wu received a 2025 Crop Science Society of America Fellowship.

On Air

The Food Files

Darren Scott explains what the Homemade Food Freedom Act allows, who it applies to and where its limits begin. Learn how home-based food production works in Oklahoma, what responsibilities producers still carry and when it may be time to transition beyond home production.

Listen to The Food Files Episode

Extension Experience

Derrell Peel offers insight into the domestic beef market. Learn about national herd liquidation, Oklahoma’s resilient herd, the strong beef market, slaughter plant closure and producer outlook.

Listen to the Extension Experience Episode

The Urban Gardener

Julia Andrew and special guest Lili LeClaire dive into the language of flowers and how they have been used to communicate throughout history.

Listen to The Urban Gardener Episode

Roots of Resilience

Amy Hagerman with mental health resources.

Mental Health Awareness

Amy Hagerman, OSU Extension specialist for agriculture and food policy, emphasizes the importance of checking in on our own mental health and on others. OSU Extension offers resources compiled by the Disaster Assistance Response Team to help people navigate mental health first aid.

Voices from the Field

“SUNUP” - After the Wildfire: Caring for Cattle and Livestock in Oklahoma

“SUNUP” shares expert guidance from OSU Extension specialists on protecting and managing livestock after a wildfire.

Sow and Grow

"Oklahoma Gardening" - Building a Galvanized Raised Garden Bed.

“Oklahoma Gardening” - How to Build a Galvanized Raised Garden Bed

Want a better garden this year? Build this durable galvanized raised garden bed for around $200 using simple tools and a weekend of work.

Photo Spotlight

A barbed wire fence burned from a wildfire.

Spring Wildfires

Wildfires caused damage to thousands of acres in Oklahoma and Kansas.

News & Events

Cattle walking on grass burned by the wildfire.

Livestock Care

During wildfire season, OSU Extension specialists offer tips on welfare, protection, nutrition, losses and disposal to keep livestock safe and support recovery efforts.

Spring Cleanup

Gardeners in Oklahoma are eager to get their landscapes looking good, and pruning their trees and shrubs is one way to get started for aesthetics and plant health.