How science and history created the delicious Oregon strawberry

For decades, Oregon has been the epicenter for all things berry: Oregon State University’s unique research center is dedicated to them and farmers have cultivated strawberries across the Willamette Valley since the 1800s. But our best strawberries are delicate and ephemeral, making them perfect to freeze or preserve for year-round summer treats.
On a warm June afternoon last year, Oregon State University’s North Willamette Research and Extension Center was bustling. The 160-acre agriculture research station outside Aurora, Oregon, grows everything from Christmas trees to kiwi fruit, and has upwards of 75 different field trials happening at any one time.

Scientists, researchers and farmers were gathered for Strawberry Field Day, getting updates on the latest research on strawberry production in the Pacific Northwest. NWREC began in 1957, but OSU’s research on strawberries goes back even further.

Since 1917, OSU has worked with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in a one-of-a-kind cooperative berry breeding program to develop varieties specifically made for the Pacific Northwest. The iconic Hood strawberry came from the collaboration in 1965, and the beloved Tillamook variety was released in 2004. Mary’s Peak, Sweet Sunrise, Totum and many more were all results of the partnership.