OSU Douglas County Demonstration Farm

Abstract

The demand for horticultural information from the OSU Extension Service is sought by both commercial fresh-market vegetable growers and noncommercial clients. Educational programs at the Demonstration Farm were designed to meet the needs of these two diverse groups. At the request of local growers, vegetable trials were established to evaluate the large number of new varieties that come onto the market every year. Since 1987, nearly 250 varieties of eggplant, melons, peppers, squash, sweet corn, and tomatoes have been evaluated for their adaptability to Douglas County's Mediterranean climate and growing conditions. Annual reports on the performance of the varieties are shared with county vegetable growers and Extension Agents throughout Oregon. Many of the vegetables for the trials are grown as bedding plants in the Demonstration Farm greenhouses. A greenhouse program was established to offer Master Gardeners the opportunity to participate in all of the cultural aspects of bedding plant production. This includes; seeding, transplanting, pinching, watering, and fertilizing. When planting season arrives, Master Gardeners help transplant the seedlings to the trial plots. An average of 40 Master Gardeners have participated in the greenhouse and trial program each year, since their inception in 1987. An average of 300 people attend the field days every summer to tour the vegetable trials. An outdoor gardening class, “Summer In The Garden,” is offered to the general public every summer. An average of five sessions are held in July and August on a variety of topics related to vegetable culture, pest control, and new varieties. The sessions are taught by the Horticulture Agent with the assistance of Master Gardeners. Attendance has averaged 25 students annually.