SOREC Director Phillip Van Buskirk

The Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) is recognized throughout Southern Oregon for its deep commitment to and support of agricultural research, sustainable growing practices, humane animal husbandry and healthy living. Historically, SOREC consists of the Jackson County Extension Service and the Southern Oregon Experiment Station. Both of SOREC’s units serve as the front door to Oregon State University, Oregon’s Land Grant University, and its resources. In addition to its support of farming and ranching, SOREC maintains demonstration fields, and also runs community programs such as Master Gardeners, 4-H, Food Preservers, Land Stewards. SOREC staff was instrumental in the growth of the pear industry in Southern Oregon and spearheaded the emergence of grape growing and wine making in the 1970s and 1980s. The Southern Oregon Experiment Station was established in 1911, and was located south of Phoenix at the Jackson County Poor Farm where the Dog Pound is located today. There were three other local Experiment Stations until 1958 when all were combined and relocated to the current Hanley Road location. The Extension office was first located in 1914 in the basement of the Jackson County Courthouse, later moving to Maple Grove Drive in south Medford, next to the old Fair Grounds. When the county began development of the south Medford I5 interchange in 1994, the Extension was moved to the Hanley Road location. (Sep. 2014) ; Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, OR 97502 541-776-7371 http://extension.oregonstate.edu/sorec/ (July 2014) ; Photograph