Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center

Snow-capped Mount Jefferson rises along the spine of the Cascade Mountains, west of the Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center (COARC). Agricultural land in central Oregon, irrigated from snow-fed rivers, produces world-class vegetable seed, forages, and specialty crops. Visitors to the region see signs along local highways that identify these crops and invite sightseers to learn more about the OSU research behind them.

Hardworking honey bees housed at COARC and surrounding vegetable seed fields don’t notice the highway signs or the mountain backdrop as they buzz through flowering carrots and onions. The bees are one part of the research at COARC that supports this region of high-value agriculture.