March 20, 2020 Note from Brad
I hope you are well.
Every part of society in the State and the Nation is trying to come to terms with this unique moment. Oregon State University and OSU Extension, like all other institutions, are working to figure out how to provide services to our communities while also safeguarding public health. We are in uncharted waters.
It was with disappointment but resolve that we have cancelled all Extension programs. For the foreseeable future, we will not be sponsoring any gathering of groups, face-to-face classes, workshops, tours or conferences. Everything must be done remotely. All travel for work, including solo travel for meetings, research, teaching, learning or other work-related activities has been curtailed.
Extension offices are closed to the public, but faculty and staff are working remotely from home or at the office as necessary to maintain services as we can. We will continue to respond to forestry, gardening 4-H and agricultural questions by phone and on-line
Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Extension will reschedule any events possible as the situation allows. We are also working on plans to develop and offer other programming on line, knowing there are limits to what can be delivered this way.
So, that is the current situation in a nutshell.
Now, some personal thoughts about how we navigate this moment together. Many are surprisingly similar to what we should do when working out in the woods with tools or equipment:
It is important that we all remain aware. Aware of our surroundings, and of the risks to ourselves and those around us. This awareness ought to extend to our communities, and how we can support each other in these challenging times. This is akin to what we might do during a fire, flood, ice storm or other natural disaster to keep yourself and others safe. It will be important to stay connected, even while staying apart. Use that phone, email, signal flags or whatever to stay connected and find ways to be helpful while also being mindful of personal and public health.
Storms often bring power outages and other hardships to rural areas, and rural landowners are often physically and emotionally prepared for that. Most of us on the West Coast are also preparing for a major fire or earthquake. Although the pandemic is very different in many respects, all our preparations for other emergencies should serve us well in this moment.
Let me wrap up with some words of caution. Many of us living in rural areas may be reassured by the sparseness of our neighborhoods. But effective social distancing is more than standing 6 feet apart. All the social distance provided by acres of woodland, farmland and walls of Himalayan blackberries can be negated in a moment if we are riding in the same vehicle, taking turns jumping on and off the same ATV, tractor or other implement, or simply passing hand tools back and forth while getting a job done. It goes back to being aware.
I appreciate your patience and understanding as we go forward. So, please continue to take appropriate personal and public health measures, and support other community members, including those affected by these measures and other measures required by the state of Oregon.
 
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