2020 AGR Hall of Fame Inductee-Jack Britt

The Hall of Fame is to honor those Alpha Gamma Rho Brothers who have made outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, steadfast service in their professional work or exceptional service to mankind.

2020 AGR Hall of Fame Inductee- A.L. Hutson

The Hall of Fame is to honor those Alpha Gamma Rho Brothers who have made outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, steadfast service in their professional work or exceptional service to mankind.

2020 AGR Hall of Fame Inductee- Glenn Stith

The Hall of Fame is to honor those Alpha Gamma Rho Brothers who have made outstanding contributions to the Fraternity, steadfast service in their professional work or exceptional service to mankind.

Corvallis, Oregon. Home of Oregon State University

A beautiful, historic, and state-of-the-art campus, Pac-12 sports, and boundless possibilities — all in one of America’s best college towns.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Oregon

Oregon has to be one of the most beautiful states in the USA. I recently returned from a road trip across Oregon and I want to show you some of my favorite places! From countless waterfalls, to the dramatic coastline, Oregon so much to offer! Where is your favorite place to visit in Oregon?

Farm to Pint: Exploring the Life Cycle of Hops (2020 Virtual Harvest)

Hops are one of the most unique agricultural products, from being bred to incite specific aromas and flavors, to being processed into different product forms for optimal brewing capabilities. From farm to pint, they take an incredible journey to help create a great beer. In this presentation, we will take you through the entire life cycle of a hop, from planting and twining, harvesting and drying, processing and packaging, to brewing and enjoying. Learn all the steps involved and meet some amazing people that make it happen along the way.

Cranberry Harvesting | Cranberry Farming / Cranberry Cultivation | Cranberries farm in Oregon

Oregon is the number four producer of cranberries in the country, producing 7% of the United States domestic cranberry supply. In 2019, there were 2,700 acres of cranberries planted, which produced a total of 558,000 barrels of cranberries. The Oregon cranberry industry in 2019 totaled $14,851,000. Cranberries are mostly grown in the coastal counties of Coos and Curry.

History of Cranberries:

Cranberries are one of the three native berries to the United States. The Native Americans have been using them for hundreds of years as food, dye for clothes, and as medicine. The first pilgrims to the United States were taught all about cranberry from the Native Americans. The first cranberries to be cultivated were in 1816 by Captain Henry Hall in Massachusetts.

Historically, Oregon native cranberries were grown in the northwestern part of the state and Native Americans shared them with early settlers. The native cranberries were a good source of vitamin C and because of the extra waxy coating, they were able to be stored for a long period of time. Commercial cranberry farming began in Oregon in 1885 when Charles McFarlin planted cranberry cuttings he brought from Massachusetts. He settled in Coos County which is still the top producing county for Oregon cranberries.

Life Cycle:

One of the biggest misconceptions is cranberries grow in water, yet they actually grow on vines in a bog. The bogs are layered with sand, peat, gravel, and clay. Cranberry vines grow low to the ground. A typical growing season for cranberries is April to November. Southern Oregon is a perfect place for cranberries to grow because there is a longer growing season. This allows the berries to develop a unique, dark, rich red color. Cranberry farmers use flooding, put sand on the bogs, and build habitats for birds to help control insects. These natural techniques to keep pests away allow the farmer to use very minimal chemical pesticides.

Harvesting:

The first step in harvesting cranberries is to flood the fields which is why people think cranberries grow in water. The next step is to gently loosen the fruit from the vines. Cranberries are full of air pockets, which allow them to rise to the surface of the water. Harvesters guide the cranberries to one side of the bog where an elevator scoops them out of the water and into trucks to be transported to the processing plant. Watch this video for an up-close look at harvesting cranberries.