Welcome to the Rural Studies Program

OREGON COUNTY MONITOR - A report for each county in Oregon that includes measures of families’ ability to meet their basic needs. (Current site is still in Beta mode.  Please let us know if you have comments or suggestions.)

OREGON REGIONAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS PROJECT - A web-based program to create graphic trends analysis of local economic indicators and generate analysis of local employment growth.

OREGON RURAL COMMUNITIES EXPLORER - An online toolset that includes data and other information to increase understanding of rural issues including vitality and change in Oregon's rural communities.

Latest Findings

Child Abuse and Neglect in Klamath County, Oregon: A birds-eye view of service provision and community partner relationships. Misty Freeman and Emily Wornell (November 2011). 

Economic Impacts on Oregon of the Termination of Secure Rural Schools Payments to Counties: 2011 Update Bruce Weber, Bruce Sorte and Paul Lewin (November 2011). Cited in recent articles in LA Times and Oregonian.

Recent News

RSP Faculty Affiliate appeared in December 2011 on the Oregon Public Broadcasting show Think Out Loud discussing rural economic development - specifically the dealing with the rural town of Union, Oregon.

Oregon Agriculture and the Economy: An Update Oregon State University Extension Service, Rural Studies Program, 2011. The study is highlighted in Oregon's Agricultural Progress (Fall 2011).

  RSP Faculty Affiliate Mark Edwards recently appeared on the Public Radio show Marketplace in September 2011 discussing food insecurity.

The Impact of the Great Recession on Low-Income Households and the Food Asssitance Safety Net in Rural and Urban Areas (pdf, powerpoint) (July 2011) (After opening in Powerpoint, hit F5 on your keyboard and the slideshow will self-advance.)

The 2011 International Comparative Rural Policy Studies Summer Institute was held in Norway. RSP Faculty Affiliates Brent Steel and Bruce Weber participated, along with six OSU Rural Studies graduate students.