CRAFS and Students

OSU students learn the value of ‘Gross National Happiness’ during first-ever study abroad program in Bhutan

In the remote foothills of the Himalayas, a group of 10 Oregon State University students learned about rural life through the lens of Bhutanese farmers during the university's first-ever study abroad course in Bhutan this September.

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Cydney Stables: Bridging Agriculture and Community Through Agritourism

Cydney Stables began her OSU Extension Student Internship in May 2025. Cydney grew up in Yamhill County where her family currently has a small farm and farm stand, and is a graduate of Graceland University in Iowa. Through school and extracurricular activities, Cydney has developed an impressive skillset for communicating about agriculture to the general public. 

Cydney's student internship focused on the Agricultural Tourism program's first Oregon on-farm agritourism customer sentiment research. She coordinated with farmers all over Oregon to set up a survey day for their farm, then went to each farm to survey customers who were there that day. Her work was vital to the success of the project. Cydney also presented on social media for the Agritourism Marketing session at the 2026 Small Farms Conference, answering many questions from the audience.

“Working with OSU Extension Agritourism has provided me with numerous opportunities to sit at the intersection of producer and consumer conversations,” Cydney said. "Growing up on my family’s farm, attending farmers markets and interacting with customers at our farm stand has opened my eyes to the disconnect consumers have from farming and rural life. To me and OSU Extension, agricultural tourism acts as a bridge to educate consumers and create appreciation for agriculture, while adding additional avenues for revenue among producers.”

Cydney is now a graduate student at Kansas State University in Agricultural Economics. She is researching direct-to-consumer sales, specifically for beef in Kansas and beef on dairy-cross studies for feed lots in the Midwest. We are excited that Cydney continues to work with the Agricultural Tourism team, including finishing the inventory of agritourism operations by county and helping to deliver educational programing.

Coastal Collaborations

By Todd Anderson



After a cancellation the week before due to icy roads, the sun shone on an unseasonably warm February day in the Tel Tvm’ orchard, where community members gathered to learn how to prune. Plum trees were preparing to bloom far too early for pollination, and some trees never went dormant. February in Siletz should not be warm enough to work in a t-shirt. Many apple and pear trees showed signs of fire blight, a destructive and relatively new pathogen in the region. Hands-on education is one of the best ways to build confidence in managing these issues.

People are often hesitant to prune their fruit trees, which can lead to neglect and, in some cases, the loss of entire orchards. Lincoln County Extension Small Farms Specialist Evie Smith helped organize a hands-on pruning workshop tailored to coastal conditions. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians maintain a diverse working orchard at their Tel Tvm’ farm, and generously opened the site to the broader community for this workshop. Organic Agriculture Program members Todd Anderson, Statewide Organic Tree Fruit and Nut Specialist, and Cora Bobo-Shisler, Outreach Program Coordinator, hosted a workshop focused on practical, regionally relevant orchard management. The session covered the pruning of young apples, pears, Asian pears, and plums, as well as organic approaches to disease management and strategies for addressing dormancy issues. Attendees from across Lincoln County left with increased confidence and practical skills to care for their trees.

Tel Tvm’ (Di’nii / Siletz for “garden”) is a food sovereignty-focused farm serving the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Using a preventive health model, the farm is supported in part through tribal healthcare funding via the Tribal Clinic. Through a Community Supported Agriculture model, Tribal members can access produce, first foods, medicinal plants, and flowers grown by the program team. Led by Zeph Mullins and Jennifer Rackley, the program also engages the community through volunteer and educational opportunities.

The Oregon Coast presents a challenging environment for fruit tree production. High rainfall, persistent humidity, cool temperatures, and variable microclimates complicate orchard management. Rainfall can leach nutrients and contribute to acidic soils, while humidity promotes disease pressure. Growers also contend with fog, wind, salt spray, and mild winters that disrupt dormancy, leading to early flowering, poor pollination, and increased susceptibility to diseases such as fire blight. Serving all Oregonians with an ethos of “prosperity widely shared” is a mission of Oregon State University’s Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems. Efforts like this workshop reflect a commitment to collaboration and providing relevant, accessible resources to communities across Oregon.

“Oregon State University’s Farm to School Program has been an invaluable partner in advancing our shared vision for equitable access to healthy, local food. Their leadership strengthens connections between educators, producers, and communities across the state, helping Oregon children learn where their food comes from and why it matters.” Melina Barker, Oregon Farm to School Network, www.oregonfarmtoschool.org