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4 Teaching From The Front Lines The Global Impact of Viral Storytelling | By Ben Davis 10 Cultivating Legacies Celebrating Agricultural Commitment | By Lacey Desserault This year we celebrated the reopening of the newly renovated Withycombe Hall—a project years in the making. It’s everything we hoped it would be: home to the Beaver Classic Creamery, the Tillamook Dairy Innovators Lab, and a state-of-the-art research winery. More than 1,500 people joined us for the grand opening. Stop by for a sweet treat next time you're on campus!
Cultivating Prosperity—Together Greetings Beaver Nation, )RU WKH ńUVW WLPH ,÷P GHOLJKWHG WR share this special insert of Progress, the magazine of the College of Agricultural Sciences, included inside The Stater. It’s a new way to highlight how our college—rooted in Oregon’s land-grant tradition—is advancing research, teaching, and outreach that help communities thrive across our state and around the world. Whether it’s students crafting Beaver Classic ice cream in our new Withycombe Hall Creamery, scientists tackling challenges from climate resilience to food innovation, or faculty and partners working side-by-side in our 14 experiment station locations VWDWHZLGH WKH VWRULHV LQ WKHVH SDJHV UHŅHFW ZKDW LW PHDQV WR Cultivate Prosperity together. To our alumni, friends, and partners: thank you for your continued support and engagement. You are an essential part of this story— and of our shared mission to build a future where prosperity is widely shared, sustainably grown, and deeply rooted in community. Go Beavs! Staci L. Simonich, Ph.D., M.B.A. Dean and Reub Long Professor College of Agricultural Sciences Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Visit the college website to view our 2024 Annual Report and new strategic plan Cultivating Prosperity: agsci.oregonstate.edu OSU COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES BY THE NUMBERS | 2025 3400 Students 40 Degree Programs 280 Faculty $900K In Scholarships $74 MILLION In Total Research Expenditures
TEACHING FROM THE FRONTLINES: THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF VIRAL STORYTELLING
Instructor Andrew Millison has traveled the globe documenting the most ambitious agricultural restoration projects in the world— gaining millions of views and transforming how students learn. Story by Ben Davis | Photos by Andrew Millison
In the arid borderlands of the Sahara Desert, a quiet agricultural revolution is underway—and Oregon State University is helping tell its story. digging half-moon-shaped water catchments, planting native trees and grasses, and working hand-inhand to restore ecological balance. The project has helped lift 500,000 people out of food dependence by transforming over 300,000 hectares of barren land into thriving, foodproducing landscapes. “It’s the most cutting-edge horticultural work in the world,” Millison says. “And it’s based on ideas we teach every day here at OSU—water harvesting, soil health, silvopasture, agroforestry. Seeing those principles applied at scale, in one of the harshest environments on Earth, shows students and the world just how powerful they can be.” Top left: In Niger’s Sahel region, farmers dig half-moon water catchments and plant native trees to restore fertility and prevent GHVHUWLńFDWLRQõUHYLYLQJ land once considered beyond hope. Left: Through storytelling and collaboration, Millison’s work bridges education, research, and outreach—advancing Oregon State’s land grant mission on a truly global scale. The project has helped lift 500,000 people out of food dependence by transforming over 300,000 hectares of barren land into thriving, food-producing landscapes. Earlier this year, Andrew Millison, a senior instructor in OSU’s Department of Horticulture, returned from a high-risk mission with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). His charge: document RQH RI WKH ODUJHVW ODQG UHVWRUDWLRQ HŃRUWV on the planet and help bring its lessons home—to his students, to Oregon, and to a global audience hungry for sustainable solutions. With a camera in hand and his boots in the dust of the Sahel, Millison captured compelling footage of how communities in 1LJHU DQG &KDG DUH UHYHUVLQJ GHVHUWLńFDtion using surprisingly simple techniques: 6 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
Millison’s video of the project, created in collaboration with the WFP, has been viewed nearly 15 million times on YouTube. The viral response has helped draw international attention to the WFP’s Resilience 3URJUDPõDQ HŃRUW QRW RQO\ WR SURYLGH food in times of crisis, but to prevent KXQJHU LQ WKH ńUVW SODFH E\ LQYHVWLQJ LQ regenerative land practices. But his work doesn’t end at the upload button. His videos are also central to his online permaculture courses—OSU’s largest non-credit program—where students from around the world learn how to apply these same strategies in their own communities. “His teaching model is a powerful example of 21st-century land-grant innovation,” says Dave Stone, Associate Dean of International Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “Andrew doesn’t just export OSU knowledge globally—he brings back on-the-ground insights from the most impacted areas of the world and translates them into educational tools that EHQHńW RXU VWXGHQWV DQG FRPPXQLWLHV KHUH in Oregon.” Millison’s global journey as a storyteller began more than a decade ago when he transitioned to online education and began creating video content to enrich his courses. A 2017 trip to India sparked a turning point. Armed with a small camera and inspired by large-scale permaculture HŃRUWV IHZ RXWVLGH WKH UHJLRQ KDG VHHQ he began documenting projects on the ground—eventually launching his own YouTube channel to reach a wider public. Above: 0LOOLVRQ ńOPV the transformation of drylands into thriving agricultural systems, showing how water harvesting, soil health, and agroforestry are helping lift thousands of families out of food insecurity. 7 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
Above: On assignment in Chad, Millison captures the power of community-led resilience and the global impact of sustainable land management. Top right: Footage from Millison’s travels is now part of OSU’s online permaculture courses, helping students worldwide apply these same techniques in their own regions. Right: New growth emerges across the Sahel as regenerative agriculture brings vegetation and stability back to once barren landscapes—proof that restoration at scale is possible. His videos are also central to his online permaculture courses— OSU’s largest non-credit program—where students from around the world learn how to apply these same strategies in their own communities. 8 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
The response was immediate and global. Viewers in Mexico, Bolivia, and beyond began implementing what they learned from his videos. Millison realized he had found a leverage point: “Public education at scale. That’s how I could make the biggest impact.” Today, his channel has racked up millions of views. His content bridges academic rigor with accessible, real-world storytelling that delivers both a call to action and a practical guide for change. And his work is gaining attention in international policy circles. His new fourpart video series, produced for the UN’s &RQIHUHQFH WR &RPEDW 'HVHUWLńFDWLRQ (COP16) in Saudi Arabia, will be used by WFP to pitch expanded restoration funding for the Sahel region. Millison has been invited to speak on “Resilience Day” and lead D VLGH HYHQW IRU 81 FRPPXQLFDWLRQV VWDŃ on how to better share their impact stories with the public. This global visibility comes with challenges. Filming in Niger and Chad required military escorts and diplomatic clearances WR HQWHU FRQŅLFW VHQVLWLYH ]RQHV DQG Ņ\ drones. “They don’t just let anyone walk in with a camera,” Millison says. “The fact that OSU backed my travel to these high-risk areas shows real commitment. These are places where the stakes are high, and where the solutions can be gamechanging.” Stone agrees. “The cutting edge often lives in places where the problems are most acute. High-risk regions are often hotbeds of innovation out of necessity. Supporting faculty to engage in those places is how we stay connected to realworld solutions.” 8OWLPDWHO\ 0LOOLVRQ÷V ZRUN H[HPSOLńHV the full circle of OSU’s land grant mission— education, research, and outreach—looping from Corvallis to communities across the globe and back again. “My students, whether they’re in Oregon or online from across the world, aren’t just learning theory,” Millison says. “They’re seeing the real-world application of these ideas in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. And they’re realizing they have the knowledge DQG WRROV WR PDNH D GLŃHUHQFH WRR ú 9 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
Story and portraits by Lacey Desserault
For more than 150 years, Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences has been part of that commitment. From its network of research centers across diverse growing regions, to its partnerships with producers, policymakers, and communities, the College has been both a steward of tradition and a driver of innovation. Our graduates multiply that impact as they take their NQRZOHGJH LQWR ńHOGV ERDUGURRPV FODVVURRPV DQG laboratories around the world. The legacy of this community is visible in every corner of Oregon, in the crops that feed families, the policies that protect resources, and the leaders who shape the direction of agriculture. Together, they embody the spirit of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and what it means to belong to something larger than a single farm, company, or career. Few industries are as deeply woven into Oregon’s story as agriculture. It fuels economies, sustains families, and strengthens the bond between people and the land. It is also an industry in motion, adapting to shifting climates, global markets, and changing needs. At the annual Dean’s Dinner, the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University honors those who have helped guide that evolution. Alumni and community leaders are recognized not only for their achievements, but for their service, vision, and commitment to creating a more sustainable and prosperous future. Adobe Stock photo
Darcy Sexson didn’t grow up on a farm, but her SDWK LQWR DJULFXOWXUH TXLFNO\ EHFDPH D GHńQLQJ SDUW of her life. Raised in Oregon, she found her footing through FFA, where she served as State President, and represented the industry as Oregon Dairy Princess. That early passion carried her to Oregon State University, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2006 with dual degrees in Animal Science and General Agriculture. “When I went to college, it was really about exploring and deciding what industry I want to go into, and agriculture was always that industry. Oregon State 8QLYHUVLW\ JDYH PH D ńUP IRXQGDWLRQ RI HGXFDWLRQ experiences, and connections so that when I graduated and as I went into the workforce, I had the tools that I needed to be successful,” she said. Darcy’s professional career began at the USDA Farm Service Agency where she spent more than a decade and rose to County Executive Director for Morrow and Umatilla Counties. In 2018, Darcy joined AgWest Farm Credit where she currently serves as a Vice President and Relationship Manager, overseeing a wide portfolio of loans that support irrigated row crops, dryland wheat, and livestock production across the region. Beyond her career, Darcy is known for her tireless advocacy, whether testifying on behalf of OSU’s Statewide Programs, mentoring students, or judging FFA competitions. Her service has earned her recognition, including the Oregon FFA HonorDU\ 6WDWH 'HJUHH LQ $W KRPH LQ 6WDQńHOG VKH and her husband Clint run a small cattle operation with their two sons, Chandler and Calvin, continuing a legacy of commitment to agriculture and community. You never know what the experiences you gain in your formative college years will lead to down the road, and those experiences will be valuable for the rest of your life. Darcy Sexson CAS Alumni Luminary Award 12 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
Jill Allen has spent more than two decades shaping the future of dairy in Oregon, combining technical expertise with a passion for quality and innovation. A graduate of Oregon State University in agricultural business, she returned to Tillamook County and began her career at the Creamery, gaining hands-on experience that eventually led her to her current role as Director of Product Excellence at the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA). In this position, Jill oversees product development, sensory evaluation, and Tillamook’s cheddar aging program, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of taste, texture, and sustainability. She has guided the launch of award-winning lines, including Farmstyle Gelato, and advanced the company’s “Dairy Done Right” initiative that reinforces Tillamook’s reputation for responsible food production. “My career started with a simple curiosity—wanting to understand why food tastes the way it does and how it connects to people. That curiosity led me to sensory science, where I learned to listen not just WR ŅDYRUV EXW WR WKH VWRULHV EHKLQG HDFK SURGXFW ú she said. Jill's expertise has earned recognition nationally and internationally. Jill has judged at prestigious competitions including the International Cheese Awards in England, the World Championship Cheese Contest in the U.S., and the World Cheese Awards in Europe, EHFRPLQJ 7LOODPRRN÷V ńUVW LQWHUQDWLRQDO MXGJH 6KH LV DOVR D &HUWLńHG &KHHVH 3URIHVVLRQDO DQG D FRQWULEXWRU to The Oxford Companion to Cheese. Beyond her professional achievements, Jill mentors students through FFA, supports Oregon’s artisan dairy sector, and lives with her family on a Tillamook County dairy farm, embodying the values she promotes in her work. My time at OSU was foundational, and LW JDYH PH WKH H[SHUWLVH DQG VFLHQWL¿F background to be able to approach problems holistically through science and understanding economic and environmental impacts. This has carried me through in all of the work and all the roles that I've had at Tillamook, and this opportunity brings me joy E\ R̆ HULQJ QHZ SURGXFWV to the world. Jill Allen CAS Alumni Leader Award 13 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
:KHQ 'U -RKQ 2DGHV ńUVW DUULYHG DW 2UHJRQ State University in 1964 as an undergraduate, he began a path that would shape both agricultural education and the global wheat industry. After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1968, John spent ńYH \HDUV WHDFKLQJ KLJK VFKRRO DJULFXOWXUH EHIRUH returning to OSU for a master’s in education. He later completed his Ph.D. at Colorado State University and returned to OSU as a faculty member, serving as department head from 1979 to 1982. “I felt like I got a really good education at OSU. I grew up on a ranch and hadn't developed much socially, and I think [my education] helped me in that respect. It also taught me about networking, and how networks can be so valuable to us in our work. If we can learn that skill in college and develop it, it really stands out in our future work experience,” he said. John then began a 30-year career with U.S. Wheat Associates (USWA), where his leadership elevated American wheat on the world stage. $V 'LUHFWRU RI WKH :HVW &RDVW RņFH LQ 3RUWODQG he traveled to more than 90 countries, hosted hundreds of trade delegations, and built relationships that expanded U.S. exports. His pivotal role allowed for modernization of quality standards, and persuasion of growers, buyers, and H[SRUWHUV WR DGRSW FOHDQHU ZKHDW VSHFLńFDWLRQV that secured vital markets in Asia. His impact was recognized with the Oregon Agri-Business Council’s Voice of the Industry Award and the Oregon Wheat Growers League Distinguished Service Award. In recent years, John has turned his focus back to education. In 2021, he co-founded the Future Agricultural Educators Endowment, which has already grown to more than $280,000 to support OSU students preparing to teach agriculture in Oregon schools. A trusted advisor and advocate, he continues to strengthen connections between industry and education, leaving a legacy that spans from Oregon classrooms to international markets. One area of particular satisfaction all through my career has been working with young people to help them get a leg up in life and in their career. I encourage people that I work with to work hard and always show up. John Oades CAS Alumni Legacy Award 14 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
On a stretch of farmland southeast of Corvallis, where his family has worked the same soil for more than a century, Greg Macpherson continues a legacy of stewardship that has shaped both his life and Oregon’s landscape. He has spent decades DW WKH IRUHIURQW RI HŃRUWV WR SUHVHUYH 2UHJRQ÷V farm, ranch, and timber lands, shaping policy and GHIHQGLQJ WKH ODQG XVH SURWHFWLRQV WKDW GHńQH WKH state’s agricultural landscape. A Harvard-educated lawyer with a J.D. from Georgetown, Greg practiced for 40 years at Stoel Rives LLP in Portland before returning to manage Bannockburn Farms Inc., his family’s historic farm that has been in operation for four generations. “I grew up in the area but chose to go to school elsewhere because it was too close to home. I did not graduate from Oregon State, but the importance of the university to the economy is what drove me to stay connected,” he said. From 2003 to 2009, Greg represented his district in the Oregon House of Representatives, where he chaired committees on judiciary and land use and emerged as a key opponent of Measure 37, which threatened to erode farmland protections. When litigation failed to halt the measure, he helped draft Measure 49, a successful 2007 ballot initiative that safeguarded agricultural land from large-scale development. Greg continued this work on the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission, serving from 2009 to 2017, with three years as chair. Alongside his public service, he has been a steadfast supporter of Oregon State University, serving on the OSU Board of Trustees, the OSU Foundation Board, and the Beaver Caucus. His advocacy for farmland preservation carries forward a family legacy of agricultural leadership. The future of Oregon agriculture is key, and it is not assured. It is important that we defend that system. It is an important area of activity that is not going to move elsewhere. Those of us who have had a longstanding connection to Oregon DJULFXOWXUH ZLOO ¿JKW WR SURWHFW LW Greg Macpherson CAS Hall of Fame Award 15 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
Subscribe to Progress for the full issue and more stories in our online magazine! Progress was established in 1953 as a report to the taxpayers, and continues to serve as an educational tool aimed at sharing the stories of our land-grant mission. Funding from the Agricultural Research Foundation helps support printing and creative services for publishing Progress. Progress is published by the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station (Staci L. Simonich, Dean and Director). Send comments to OSU, 200B Strand Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331.
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