Jeff Olsen OSU Extension Horticulturist

Jeff Olsen OSU Extension Horticulturist

Up to Date Information is Vital for Grower Success I work with the commercial tree fruit and nut industries in Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah Counties. It is vitally important that commercial orchard growers have accurate up to date information on the currently registered pesticides for their crops. I have recently completed revisions on the following publications. The misuse of pesticides can have negative impacts on growers that range from poor control of pests leading to crop loss, all the way to criminal penalties. 1

Willamette Valley Fruit Tree Acreage from the 2006 Tree Survey from the Oregon Ag. Statistics Service Apples = 970 Pears = 390 Sweet cherries = 2,800 Tart = 725 Peaches = 400 Prunes = 1,100 Total = 6,385 acres, down from 11,845 in 1986 2

Annual Updates for Pest Management The Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook is used by growers throughout the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. I am Section Chair for the nut section and co-author on hazelnuts and walnuts, cherries, peach and prune sections. Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Cherry Pest Management Guide for the Willamette Valley", EM 8329 Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Prune and Plum Pest Management Guide for the Willamette Valley", EM 8362 3

Pest Management Guides for 2013 Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Apple Pest Management Guide for the Willamette Valley", EM 8418 Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Peach Pest Management Guide for Oregon", EM 8419 Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Pear Pest Management Guide for the Willamette Valley", EM 8420 Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Walnut Pest Management Guide for The Willamette Valley", EM 8421 Castagnoli, S., Shearer, P., Long, L., Pscheidt, J., Peachey E. and Olsen, J. 2013. Pest Management Guide for Tree Fruits in the Mid-Columbia Area, EM 8203-E. 4

Oregon Hazelnut Acreage by County Yamhill = 7,410 Marion = 6,620 Washington = 4,780 Lane = 3,790 Clackamas = 3,780 Polk = 2,160 Linn = 1,930 Other counties = 1,230 5

Hazelnut Pest Management Olsen, J.L., Pscheidt, J.W. and Ed Peachey. "2013 Hazelnut Pest Management Guide for the Willamette Valley", EM 8328. (A recent survey of hazelnut growers showed that 94% of them use the Guide as an important resource in making their hazelnut pest management decisions. 96% of those surveyed said that it is either important or very important to them that the Guide is updated annually.) On-going activity: Since 1995 to the present time I have authored a monthly column on hazelnut production practices for the Pacific Nut Producer Journal, a publication in commercial nut producers throughout the Western United States with a circulation of 11,400 subscribers. 6

Hazelnut Publications I will be revising the Growing Hazelnuts in the Pacific Northwest bulletin. I will separate the content by subject matter into 11 publications. The revised bulletins will also serve as content in creating an OSU Hazelnut website, linked to the OSU Department of Horticulture website. The OSU bulletin on The Costs and Returns of Establishing and Producing Hazelnuts in the Willamette Valley is currently being revised. The Hazelnut Sustainability Initiative modules are in the final stages of review. I serve on the Executive Committee of this industry supported program, which will be rolled out this winter. 7

Upcoming Activities: I also co-authored a new OSU Extension Publication: Long, L. and J. Olsen. 2013. Sweet Cherries for Brining, Freezing and Canning in Oregon. I organized and will chair the Orchard Section for the Oregon Horticultural Society annual meeting in Portland. 8

Hazelnut Talks and Workshop On Dec. 5 th I will teach a workshop for New Hazelnut Growers. The interest in planting hazelnuts is very high these days. My goal with the workshop is to equip the growers with up to date information that will help them succeed in this industry. On Jan. 30 th I will deliver a talk at the Nut Growers Society Annual Meeting in Portland on Interpreting Your Soil Series Types for Hazelnut Production. I will also moderate a grower panel on irrigating hazelnuts. Last year there were 550 people at this event. 9

Professional Honors and Service: My colleagues in the Department of Horticulture have elected me to serve on the Promotion and Tenure Committee for a two year term. My colleagues in the American Society for Horticultural Science have elected me to serve a three year term on the Board of Directors. 10