OSU EXTENSION SERVICE | CLACKAMAS COUNTY
ABOUT US
Message from the Regional Director
NORTH WILLAMETTE EXTENSION REGIONAL DIRECTOR
As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work accomplished this past year and express my sincere gratitude to our Clackamas County community for its continued support of OSU Extension. Our programs thrive because of the dedication of our partners, volunteers, and residents who believe in the value of lifelong learning, research-based education, and community-driven initiatives. Your commitment allows us to provide essential resources that strengthen our local food systems, support youth development, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance community resilience.
Looking forward, 2025 promises to be an exciting year of growth and innovation. Our team is focused on expanding our outreach efforts to ensure that every resident has access to the knowledge and services that OSU Extension provides. We hope to continue strengthening our many partnerships with local organizations, increasing hands-on learning opportunities, and developing new programming that responds to the evolving needs of Clackamas County. Whether through 4-H youth development, small farms education, forestry support, or family and community health initiatives, our goal remains the same—to empower individuals and communities with knowledge that fosters success and sustainability.
The future is bright for OSU Extension in Clackamas County. As we embark on new projects, including continued collaboration with the county and Clackamas Community College, we are excited to see the positive impact that these efforts will bring. Thank you for your unwavering support, participation, and enthusiasm for the work we do together. We look forward to another year of partnership, progress, and shared success.
Clackamas Engaged for Good in the Community
Leah Sundquist
LOCAL LIAISON AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE MANAGER
2024 has been a year of great programming and community engagement. The staff have been out doing farm visits, working at farmers markets, and teaching youth several different knowledge areas of 4-H from HEARTH to animals and leadership. We are now on track with planning for a new building in collaboration with Clackamas Community College to bring a new and improved site for all our programs as well as integrating the colleges Horticulture and Wildland Fire programs into the space. We will be located on campus near the Environmental Learning Center which will provide closer collaboration with the Oregon City Farmers Market now also located on campus. Tree School brought tremendous success for the Forestry community and the next year it will celebrate 35 years. The Small Farms School also had enrollment with vendors and opportunities for meeting other small farm growers and owners. As always, we have Master Gardener volunteers in the office daily from 10-12 for in visit questions about plants, gardens, and or problems with vegetables. They are also out in the community gardens volunteering and continue doing the 10 minute University classes on line.
We have dedicated staff who are proud of their experience and enjoy working with our community of over 180K residents. We will continue serving and bringing science based research proven advice and recommendations to our customers. We look forward to serving the community for another 100+ years through emergencies and education requested by and for our residents of Clackamas County.
(Staff Members Left to Right) – Kelly Redwine, Jean Bremer, Catalina Sanamaria, Pamela Whitten
A couple of great successes this year are: one of our office staff (Kelly Redwine) received a state level award for classified personnel. She was nominated and selected by a committee from our Extension faculty and staff. Kelly works in our front office and supports both the front office when customers come in with questions for 4-H as well as registration, email, and phone call support.
One of our many volunteers was nominated by a faculty member and selected as the Epsilon Sigma Phi Gamma Chapter Friend of Extension. Don Wiley, has been a volunteer in the Clackamas Extension Family and Community Health program as a Master Food Preserver (MFP) since 2012. His nomination narrative is on page 11 to read more. Congratulations to both of these individuals for their statewide achievements.
Welcoming New Faces to Our Team!
Lupita and Tanya at the North Clackamas Free Food Market. (Photo by: Stephanie Stewart)
Clackamas Family and Community Health is excited to welcome three new team members! Vanessa joins us as our office support and will likely be the first friendly voice you hear when calling our program. Tanya Kindrachuk and Lupita Zamora are our new SNAP-Ed outreach program coordinators, and you’ll likely see them out in the community at events and in classrooms, supporting nutrition education and healthy living initiatives. Tanya’s public health background is a welcome addition. Lupita brings a public health background, social media and language expertise to our county one day per week to team with Tanya. We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they’ll bring! Another successful part-time addition is Maureen Quinn Lores, who supports the food preservation program and team, as well as emergency preparedness initiatives this coming year.
Celebrating Kelly Streit’s Contributions to Clackamas County
Kelly Streit
Kelly Streit (MS RDN) has retired after 17 years of service as a senior instructor in the Clackamas County Family and Community Health program. During her 17 years at OSU, Kelly developed innovative programs and authored many articles, such as SNAP-to-it, Field to Market YouTube videos and training programs, and Farm Direct publications. Her work reflects a deep passion for food systems and food access for all. We’re incredibly fortunate to have had her as a mentor and leader and look forward to seeing her as a volunteer at the Oregon City Year-Round Farmer’s Market. Congratulations, Kelly!
