Ag Science Cafes

Live Workshops & Recorded Interviews

What are Ag Science Cafés?

Every month, youth will have the opportunity to engage in virtual conversations with agricultural STEM professionals to learn from lively discussions and hands-on activities. High school youth will have the opportunity to design and lead the program with the support of adult mentors.

Interviews with Agricultural STEM Professionals

Interview with an Animal Behaviorist

  • Presenter: Dr. Julie Huzzey, Associate Professor, Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare Specialist

Interview with Oregon Ag in the Classroom

  • Presenter: Jessica Jansen, Executive Director of Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation
  • Description: Jessica Jansen is the Executive Director of Oregon AITC! Learn about her job, career journey, and fascinating experiences through this video!

Interview with a Marine Biologist

Interview with an Animal Scientist

Interview with a Horse Geneticist

Interview with a Rural Public Policy Researcher

Interview with a Natural Resource Conservationist

Interview with a Food Scientist and President of Portland Creamery

Interview with a Non-profit Director

Interview with an Aquaculture Researcher

Interview with an Urban and Community Horticulturist

Ag Science Café Workshops

Ag Science Café with Gail Langellotto

  • Presenter: Dr. Gail Langellotto, Professor, Urban and Community Horticulture Extension, Statewide Master Gardener Program Coordinator
  • Date: December 14, 4pm PDT

Oyster Farming in Oregon

  • Presenter: Ford Evans, Research Associate for Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station
  • Date: November 18, 4pm PDT

What Do Non-Profits Have to Do With It?

  • Presenter: Christine Smith, Executive Director of the Friends of Netarts Bay Watershed Estuary Beach and Sea (WEBS)
  • Date: October 29, 4pm PDT

Artisan Goat Cheese from the Willamette Valley

  • Presenter: Shawn Fels, Owner and President of Portland Creamery
  • Description: Learn about how the Portland Creamery balances the art, business, and science of cheese making

Soil Health

  • Presenter: Heather Y. Medina Sauceda, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Basin Team Leader, USDA
  • Description: Soil is a vital living ecosystem. Watch the below video to discover how different management practices can impact soil.
  • Read about this workshop on our blog!

Build your Dream Horse

  • Presenter: Dr. Laura Patterson Rosa, DVM, Ph.D., Genetics Scientist with Etalon Diagnostics
  • Description: Discover how genetics play a role in our horses’ lives. Follow along using this worksheet to learn about genetics and to build your dream horse
  • See Worksheet

 

Why Do Animals Do the Things They Do?

  • Presenter: Dr. Julie Huzzey, Associate Professor, Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare Specialist
  • Description: Learn about how studying animal behavior can teach us about what is important to animals and how we can use this information to make our animals' lives better.

Dr. Julie Huzzey presented four why questions: Why do our dogs beg for food? Why do animals help each other? Why do cows snore? And How do we measure how smart animals are? Think about the animals you may have in your home or find in nature near where you live. What behavior, or why question, would you want to observe and better understand?

What is Agriculture?

  • Presenter: Jessica Jansen, Executive Director of Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation
  • Description: Follow along and complete one of the two Ag Science Cafe activities in this video to win some cool DIVE4Ag swag! Where do items come from? Follow the activity that starts at 4 minutes to discover if items found in your home come from the farm, store, factory or earth.

Or make bioplastic at home!

Materials needed:

  • Tablespoon
  • Cornstarch
  • Corn oil
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Plastic bag

Directions:

  1. Find an adult to help you! Place the following ingredients in a plastic bag: 1 tablespoon cornstarch, two drop of corn oil, one tablespoon of water, and 2 drops of food coloring.
  2. Seal the bag and gently mix the cornstarch mixture by rubbing the outside of the bag with your fingers until combined.
  3. Open the bag slightly, making sure it can vent. Place the bag upright in a microwave oven on high for 20-25 seconds. Please note all microwaves vary. The mixture needs to get hot but not boil.
  4. Carefully remove the bag from the microwave. Contents could be hot. Let it cool down for a few minutes. While it is still warm, you can try to form the plastic into a shape. Get creative!

To enter a monthly raffle:

  1. Follow us @dive4ag on Facebook or Instagram.
  2. Post a picture of your completed activity and tag #dive4ag
  3. Or email us your picture at [email protected].