Benton County has announced the winning design for the official 2026 Benton County Fair and Rodeo logo after strong community participation in the countywide “Design Rodeo” contest.
The selected winner is “Cow Tag”, created by Cassandra “CJ” Judd of Corvallis. Judd’s design will be the official look of the 2026 fair and will appear on posters, social media, merchandise and other promotional materials.
The contest ran from November through February and invited artists of all ages to submit original designs based on the theme Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights. After reviewing entries, the Benton County Fair Board and fair organizers selected four finalists. Voting was then opened to the public online and through community outreach, with combined results choosing the winner.
Because of the strong response, the Design Rodeo will become an annual contest. Organizers hope it will continue to involve the community in shaping and celebrating the fair each year.
“I approached the contest with the goal of creating something that felt true to the roots of the Benton County Fair and Rodeo while still being adaptable across everything from merchandise to signage,” Judd said. “The Cow Tag concept was designed as a recognizable, story-driven badge that brings together the full scope of the event—from livestock and rodeo to the energy of summer nights—while holding up across a range of applications. As someone deeply connected to the rodeo and agriculture communities, it’s incredibly rewarding to see it selected, and I’m excited to see it leave its mark across the county.”
Judd is an independent creative director based in Corvallis.
As the winning artist, Judd will receive a share of proceeds from commemorative merchandise along with an “Ultimate Fair Experience” package.
The Benton County Fair and Rodeo is held each year in Corvallis and brings thousands of visitors for agricultural exhibits, entertainment, carnival attractions and rodeo events. Ticket sales for the 2026 fair open May 15.
The 4th Annual Spring Stampede, an all-girls rodeo set for May 16, 2026, at the Benton County Fairgrounds, returns for a full day of competition, community and celebration of cowgirls in the arena.
The event brings together female competitors of all ages for a fun, supportive and competitive day of rodeo, featuring events like team roping, breakaway roping, pole bending, barrel racing and goat tying. Spectators can expect fast runs, big rides and a chance to cheer on talented athletes from across the region.
In Benton County, rodeo is more than a one-day event, it’s a tradition built by volunteers and families with a shared passion for the sport.
Behind the Spring Stampede is the Benton County Rodeo Committee, a volunteer-led group that works year-round to organize rodeo events, build partnerships and create opportunities for competitors.
For committee chair Nicole Schrock, that work is rooted in a lifelong connection to rodeo.
Schrock grew up in Benton County as a 4-H member, raising rabbits and spending time at the fair, but it was the rodeo that captured her attention.
“I would sneak away to watch,” she said. “I was just enthralled by the athletes, both human and livestock, and the culture around it.”
That early fascination turned into years of involvement. Schrock was named Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen in 2007 and went on to serve as Miss Northwest Professional Rodeo Association in 2010 and Miss Rodeo Oregon in 2013. Over time, those experiences helped prepare her to take on leadership roles, including the integral part she played in launching Benton County’s all-girls rodeo events, the Spring Stampede and the Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo that happens at the Benton County Fair & Rodeo each year.
Now in its fourth year, the Spring Stampede builds on that vision and the success of the Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo at the Benton County Fair.
“It’s about creating a place where women and girls can compete and support each other,” Schrock said. “That camaraderie is something special.”
Support from sponsors and the community has helped the event grow, increasing participation and expanding prize opportunities for competitors.
Beyond competition, the Spring Stampede reflects a broader rodeo culture in Benton County that is grounded in family, tradition and a welcoming environment.
“It’s a unique community,” Schrock said. “There’s a lot of heart, a lot of support, and people really believe in what these events represent.”
The event provides fun for the whole family, no matter your rodeo knowledge, so community members are encouraged to come support the riders.
“Join us for a day celebrating cowgirls in the arena,” said 2026 Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Jessica McClennan. “This all-girls rodeo brings together competitors of all ages for a fun, supportive and competitive day of rodeo. Come out to watch some great runs, big rides and cheer on these talented cowgirls.”
The Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo takes place at the Benton County Fair and Rodeo this year, continuing to expand opportunities for women and girls in the sport.
Contestants competes during the 2025 Spring Stampede at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The event brings together riders from across the region for a day of competition and community. (Photos by Ladd Halupa)
TOP IMAGE: Nicole Schrock addresses the crowd from horseback during the 2025 Spring Stampede at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The annual event highlights opportunities for women and girls in rodeo. (Photo by Ladd Halupa)
In neighborhoods across Benton County, a quiet transformation is about to begin. It’s one that starts with as little as 50 square feet of soil and a willingness to try something new.
Nature Neighbors , a partnership of the Greenbelt Land Trust and the Benton Soil and Water Preservation District, is a new program in Benton County to help residents turn everyday spaces into thriving habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Through hands-on guidance, small grants and community support, the program empowers people to make meaningful environmental change where they live.
For Sara Roberts, the program is both a professional project and a personal mission.
Roberts, a community engagement coordinator with Benton Soil and Water Preservation District, leads outreach efforts that include public-facing programs, K-12 field trips and one-on-one support for property owners. At the heart of that work is a simple idea: anyone can help wildlife, regardless of how much space they have.
“People don’t need a large property to make a difference,” Roberts said. “This program shows that even a small plot can create valuable habitat connections across neighborhoods and, ultimately, larger-scale wildlife corridors.”
The program also reflects a broader vision from Greenbelt Land Trust to connect people, land and wildlife across the region.
“Greenbelt Land Trust is co-launching Nature Neighbors with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, a demonstration of the strong partnership between these two organizations that goes back decades. Greenbelt sees collaborations as the key to successful conservation,” said Jessica McDonald, Greenbelt Land Trust executive director. “By jointly stewarding this emerging community program, we are leveraging the strengths of both organizations and building a program that is lasting.”
McDonald said even small actions taken by individual households can have a meaningful impact at a larger scale.
“Even a small native habitat can make a big difference for wildlife,” she said. “By transforming urban spaces, even micro yards, into flourishing mini native habitats, we are creating habitat stepping stones that traverse our communities, enabling wildlife to move, adapt and thrive.”
The Nature Neighbors program focuses on replacing invasive plants with native species, improving soil health and building landscapes that are more resilient to drought and wildfire. Participants receive guidance through a step-by-step certification process that includes site visits, a habitat handbook and personalized recommendations. Those who complete the program earn a yard sign recognizing their contribution to local habitat.
And the effort goes beyond plants.
Roberts said residents can incorporate features like birdhouses, water sources and pollinator habitat while learning how to make their spaces more supportive for wildlife overall.
Equity is also a key part of the program’s design. Mini scholarships and small grants help offset the cost of plants and tools, ensuring more people can participate.
“For those who need assistance, a volunteer cohort including students from Oregon State University can help with installation and maintenance, making the program more accessible to older adults and others who may not be able to do the work themselves,” she said.
Roberts said the idea for a program like this has been years in the making.
“When I first got into native plant gardening, there just wasn’t much support,” she said. “I remember doing all the research on my own and wishing something like this existed. This community has a strong culture of people who want to be a part of a growing habitat movement. We just needed a way to provide the right resources.”
Michael Ahr, executive director for Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, said the program is an opportunity to get more community members involved in practical, hands-on conservation work.
“We’ve spent a lot of time working with private landowners on larger properties,” Ahr said. “Nature Neighbors gives us a chance to engage smaller property owners in that same work, especially when it comes to controlling non-native species and improving habitat.When more property owners take part, the benefits add up across the community.”
Nature Neighbors builds on successful models across Oregon, including the Backyard Habitat Certification Program in the Portland metro area, and similar efforts in Marion, Polk, Lane and Yamhill counties. Now, Benton County is bringing that approach to its own communities, with a focus on local needs and partnerships.
For Benton County Sustainability Coordination Jennifer Brown, the program aligns closely with broader County goals that prioritize sustainability.
“The Nature Neighbors program helps people preserve and create habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife,” Brown said. “This program gives community members a meaningful way to make a difference.”
That impact extends beyond individual yards. By encouraging native plantings and better land stewardship, the program supports stormwater management, biodiversity and climate resilience across the County.
“It’s going to take us all to preserve what we have,” Brown added.
Community members interested in getting involved can enroll in the program and learn more at the Nature Neighbors website. An upcoming public information session on April 29 will offer a chance to explore how to get started and connect with program partners.
As more residents take part, the vision is simple but powerful: a patchwork of small, intentional spaces can grow together into something much larger.The path to healthier ecosystems can start right outside the front door.
Students at Mountain View Elementary created this pollinator garden with funding from Benton SWCD, bringing beauty and biodiversity to a previously-bare sidewalk strip. Photo Credit: Nancy TovarSara Roberts at her own native wildflower garden.Insect “hotels”, such as this one at Chintimini Wildlife Center, provide abundant habitat for a number of species of pollinators and other bugs, and are easy to build. Photo credit: Sara Roberts
Benton County is pleased to announce the hiring of Maya O’Neal as the County’s first in-house coordinator for Benton Area Transit. Her first day of work was April 1.
O’Neal brings extensive knowledge and skills in transportation at the local government level. Most recently she served as the public parking coordinator for the City of Corvallis, where she worked to optimize and revitalize the parking system.
Previously she worked in the Transportation Department of the City of Fresno, California, which has a population of over 540,000 and covers over 110,000 square miles. Her primary duties included logistics, scheduling and routing.
O’Neal also has experience reviewing and applying federal statutes, legal regulations and compliance guidelines — essential skills for the Benton Area Transit coordinator role.
O’Neal enjoyed her three years focused on parking with the City of Corvallis, but when she saw a chance to get back into transit she jumped at the opportunity. She is a problem solver who enjoys exploring traditional and new approaches to find the best solutions.
“Maya is exactly the person we were looking for to support Benton Area Transit,” says Public Works Director Gary Stockhoff. “Her skills check every box in the job description, and her infectious enthusiasm and can-do attitude are even more than we hoped for.”
Benton County is pleased to announce the hiring of Bob Richardson as Community Development director, beginning April 17.
Richardson is a skilled planner and leader whose experience includes executing and improving land use planning policies and strategies for different local jurisdictions. He was a key contributor to the development of OSU plans including the Corvallis Campus Vision and the Sustainable Transportation Strategy. He also successfully led multiple amendments to the Corvallis Land Development Code paving the way for future OSU development.
Richardson has more than two decades of experience in land use planning in Benton and Linn Counties. He spent the last seven and half years as the land use planning manager at Oregon State University. There he provided leadership, strategy and expertise for land use planning activities and issues at OSU locations across the state.
Prior to that, he worked for four years as planning manager for the City of Albany and nine years for the City of Corvallis as an associate planner.
“After an intensive screening process that included two comprehensive interview processes, individual interviews with each of the Commissioners and a post interview debrief with me, I have no doubt that Bob is the perfect person to be our next community development director,” said Interim County Administrator Rick Crager.
His references described him as a dedicated, hard-working, calm and collaborative leader. One called him “One of those individuals that you just want to work for… extremely thoughtful in his approach to local planning and makes everyone feel heard and part of the solution.”
“That’s exactly the kind of leader we need in Benton County to oversee important projects like the upcoming review and update of the Comprehensive Plan,” said Crager.
Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree in Government and Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence University and a master’s in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon. He is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners.
On March 31, President Trump signed an executive order intended to ban all mail-in voting except for individuals enrolled on state-specific mail-in and absentee participation lists. Eligible absentee voters include travelers, people who are seriously ill and deployed military personnel and families.
The order directs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to eligible absentee or mail-in voters.
A previous executive order on elections, signed in March 2025, was blocked by federal judges who said the president lacked the constitutional authority to set voting policy. The U.S. Constitution gives the power to determine the “Times, Places and Manner” of elections to individual states.
Soon after the executive order was signed, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read released a statement pledging to defend Oregon elections in court: “The Constitution is clear: states run elections. Oregon’s gold standard vote-by-mail elections are secure, fair, and accurate. We don’t need decrees from Washington D.C. My message to the President: We’ll see you in court.”
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield will also fight the executive order, according to a statement posted on social media: “Vote by mail increases access to the ballot which is the cornerstone to our democracy, and we’ll use every legal tool available to us to fight this and protect Oregonians’ right to vote.”
In 1998, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure directing that elections be conducted by mail, and in 2000, Oregon became the nation’s first all vote-by-mail state.
Benton County leaders are closely monitoring the developing situation and remain in contact with state officials.
On April 1, the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division confirmed that elections will move forward as planned, in accordance with current Oregon law, and the issue will be resolved through the court system.
Voters’ job is to get their ballots in for the May 19 primary election, either by returning them by mail or dropping them in one of the ballot boxes located throughout the County. Ballots will be mailed to Benton County voters on April 29.
Oregonians are encouraged to double-check their voter registration and mailing address at OregonVotes.gov before April 28 to ensure they receive their ballot.
Oregon counties already use barcodes to track every vote, verify signatures to confirm identities and conduct random audits to ensure accuracy. See Benton County’s process from start to finish.
Secretary of State Read will answer elections questions from the community at a town hall on Wed, May 6, 6 p.m. in Corvallis. He will be joined by Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin and Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald at the Benton Center, 757 NW Polk Ave. Benton County will continue to take direction from the Secretary of State and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Inside the former United Methodist Church in Monroe, neighbors gathered around tables Wednesday, March 18, for a hot meal and conversation at the South Benton Resource Center’s monthly Community Lunch.
The lunch, held at noon every third Wednesday of the month, is free and open to the public, with donations accepted. The center is located at 648 Orchard St. in Monroe.
Benton County commissioners Malone, Shepherd and Wyse attended the lunch, highlighting the importance of supporting rural communities and staying connected to the people and programs that help meet local needs. Their presence reflects a shared commitment to ensuring residents across the County have access to food, services and opportunities to connect.
City of Monroe Mayor Dan Sheets said the lunch is a simple but powerful way to bring people together.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together, have a meal and socialize,” Sheets said. “We definitely encourage folks to come here and socialize, and if you have a need, I’m certain that they can help somehow.”
The South Benton Resource Center is a nonprofit that serves Monroe and rural South Benton County. Its mission centers on building community around a shared table while offering essential services and gathering spaces.
Programs at the center include the South Benton Food Pantry, which provides fresh food, staples and necessities to area residents. The center also operates a commercial kitchen that hosts the monthly community lunch and a free community breakfast on the first Saturday of each month.
Kepi Nak-Nak Café, located in the downstairs commons next to the kitchen, is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays as a place for people to gather over coffee or a meal. Heritage Hall offers space for concerts, meetings and milestone events. The Vina Moses Room provides clothing and household essentials through a local partnership. Each August, the center hosts the Blackberry Jamboree, an annual community celebration.
Robin Frojen prepares the monthly lunch. She said the meals are about more than food.
“I’m making the community lunch for our community of Monroe,” Frojen said. “This is just really important for our community and making sure our community has warm, healthy meals that are accessible to everybody.”
Frojen recently retired after nearly 30 years as a chef and food scientist at Oregon State University. She said volunteering at the center allows her to continue doing what she loves while giving back.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I have been a chef for 30 years and a food scientist, and retired almost two years ago from the university, and I’m doing exactly what I love to be doing, and now I can actually make an impact. This community is something great, it really is.”
For more information about the South Benton Resource Center and its programs, visit www.sbrcenter.org.
Benton County Commissioners share a meal with Monroe Mayor Dan Sheets during the South Benton Resource Center’s Community Lunch in Monroe on March 18, connecting with residents and supporting rural community programs.
Community members, local leaders and housing advocates gathered Thursday, March 19 to break ground on Third Street Commons, a 47-unit permanent supportive housing development aimed at helping people experiencing chronic homelessness in Benton County.
The project, led by Corvallis Housing First, will provide housing paired with services such as health care, behavioral health support and case management. When complete, it will be the first development of its kind in Corvallis. The facility will include fully furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments, on-site services and community spaces.
All three Benton County commissioners attended the event, underscoring the County’s commitment to expanding housing options and supporting coordinated efforts to address homelessness.
Board Chair Pat Malone shared remarks during the ceremony before joining partners and other local and state leaders to turn over the first shovel of dirt.
“On behalf of Benton County, we’re grateful to everyone who helped make this project possible and look forward to seeing residents move into Third Street Commons and begin new chapters in their lives,” Benton County Commissioner Pat Malone said.
Permanent supportive housing combines stable housing with services designed to help people maintain housing and improve their overall well-being. Project partners said the development will help fill a critical gap in the community’s continuum of care.
“This project has been years in the making and reflects the hard work of many partners who believe everyone deserves a safe and dignified place to live,” said Andrea Myhre, executive director of Corvallis Housing First.
For people who have experienced homelessness, the project represents more than a new building. It also represents stability, affordability and a path forward.
Dominic Marchese, a local who has benefitted from supportive services, said Corvallis Housing First has already had a life-changing impact.
“I’m forever indebted to this place because they saved my life,” Marchese said. “I’m hoping to have an apartment here.”
He said the support provided goes beyond housing.
“It makes me feel great that there are organizations out here to help people who are struggling,” Marchese said. “They’re life-saving.”
Jason Sutherland, another local who has received housing support through Corvallis Housing First, said stable housing has been critical during ongoing health challenges.
“Everybody with Housing First has just been phenomenal,” Sutherland said. “They’ve been there for me through everything.”
Sutherland said the organization helped him secure housing and has continued to support him as his health has declined.
“They’re looking out for people, not just those with addiction, but people with serious health conditions,” he said.
Project leaders said the effort reflects years of planning and collaboration among Corvallis Housing First, the City of Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon Housing and Community Services and other public and private partners.
Construction is expected to be completed in September 2027, with residents moving in shortly afterward.
Organizers said the groundbreaking marks an important step toward expanding supportive housing and helping more people in Benton County stabilize and rebuild their lives.
Benton County launched its recognition of Women’s History Month on March 3 with a proclamation before the Board of Commissioners. Now, the County is highlighting a special week within the month. National Women’s Military History Week, observed annually from March 16-20, honors the service, sacrifices and achievements of women in the U.S. armed forces.
One of the women veterans who serves the County every day is Katalin “Kathy” Pusztavari, who served in the U.S. Army before continuing her commitment to public service through her work supporting law enforcement operations and community programs in Benton County.
Military service
Pusztavari served in the Army as a legal specialist. She was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington, where she assisted Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorneys and supported legal operations.
Her fellow service members and opportunities to travel were among the most meaningful parts of her military experience.
“I enjoyed the people I worked with and the roles and responsibilities in the various installations I was stationed at,” Pusztavari said. “I also loved the east coast and the trips I took on vacation to view Virginia, Georgia and Florida.”
Today, Pusztavari supports the Benton County Sheriff’s Office as a Policy and Accreditation Specialist. Her work focuses on ensuring agency policies and forms are up to date and gathering documentation required to maintain professional accreditation standards.
Pusztavari said the skills she developed during military service continue to influence the way she approaches her work today.
“My job requires me to be methodical in record keeping and tracking items,” she said. “In the military I learned to keep inventory of my own items, assist JAG attorneys and follow the chain of command.”
Those lessons, she said, continue to guide her work in a structured law enforcement environment.
“Working in the military also taught me to respect ranking officers and non-commissioned officers and understand how organizations function within a chain of command,” she said.
Pusztavari said many veterans quietly continue their commitment to service long after their military careers end.
“You never know if you are working next to someone who has served,” she said. “Some people may not want to advertise that they have served, but most have likely found it a privilege and honor.”
