John C. Scharff Collection, 1936-1995

Born in 1901 in Monument, Oregon, John C. Scharff studied animal husbandry at Oregon Agricultural College from 1921 to 1922. While his student experience at OAC was brief, Scharff would go on to play an important role at Oregon State University by co-founding the E.R. (Edwin Russell) Jackman Foundation and serving on its board for many years. Extension Agent Jackman and Scharff were longtime friends and collaborated on several projects, including writing the book Steens Mountains of Oregon's High Desert Country.

Employed with the U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Scharff was a longtime fixture in eastern Oregon land management and conservation circles. He served as manager of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge from 1935 until his retirement in 1971. Scharff's interest in conservation work was reflected in his involvement in the Desert Trail Association and the creation of an irrigation system in Harney County that addressed the needs of livestock during winter months while increasing habitat for wildlife at the same time. Scharff described this irrigation project as an example of "holistic farm management."

Honors received by Scharff include Distinguished Service Awards from both OSU and the Department of the Interior as well as the Izaak Walton League for Wildlife Management award.

Scharff died June 11, 1998 in Burns, Oregon.