Kathy Barnard
I joined Washington State University in late February 2005 as the senior public relations specialist for CAHNRS and Extension. In 2007, I became the director of Marketing and News Services, and since 2010 have been director of Marketing, News, and Educational Communications for CAHNRS and Extension. In October 2012, I also accepted interim responsibilities as the executive director of University Communications for WSU.
I have 30 years of experience in the communication/media relations business. I spent the first 10 years of my career as a reporter for the Lewiston Morning Tribune, covering cops and courts, higher education, local government and business. That was the perfect training for my work since. I joined the University of Idaho in 1991 and served 13 years as the chief media spokesperson for the university. I had the opportunity to work on a number of important projects there, including the worldwide announcement of the first equine clone, a mule named Idaho Gem.
My husband, Tom La Pointe, and I have lived on the Palouse since the 1970s. He is the executive director of My Own Home, a new non-profit organization based in Moscow aimed at helping aging adults stay in their own homes. Our son, Marc, daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Bryce are currently attending the University of Idaho.
Recent articles by Kathy Barnard
WSU Ag Education Leader Michael Swan to Retire
Posted November 28, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – After 15 years of helping to educate agriculture education teachers throughout the state and beyond, Washington State University Professor Michael K. Swan is retiring at the end of the year. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged agricultural education, CAHNRS, Michael Swan, retirement
No Comments
WSU Wheat Researchers Named American Society of Agronomy Fellows
Posted October 17, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Two Washington State University wheat researchers are among just 18 scientists being named as American Society of Agronomy Fellows for 2012. Kim Kidwell and Kimberly Garland-Campbell will be recognized at the society’s annual meetings in Cincinnati next week. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Agronomy, American Society of Agronomy, Award, Wheat, wheat researchers
No Comments
WSU Dedicates New Eggert Family Organic Farm with Saturday Celebration
Posted October 11, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University officials will dedicate the new Eggert Family Organic Farm with a special ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the site of the new facility on the east edge of the Pullman campus off Airport Road. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged CAHNRS, Campaign for Washington State University, Eggert, organic agriculture, organic farm, Reganold
No Comments
WSU Crops/Soils Chair Named New Director of WSU Extension
Posted October 10, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Rich Koenig, soil scientist and department chair, is the new associate dean and director of Washington State University Extension. Read more »
Filed under Release
No Comments
Lifelong Gardener, Author Named WSU Extension Master Gardener of the Year
Posted October 1, 2012
ANACORTES, Wash. – Jane Billinghurst vividly remembers the very first garden she planted. She was six years old and living in the tiny village of Charlwood, England, just south of London. “It was a little patch outside the kitchen window that my father said I could garden,” she said. “I planted pansies.” Read more »
Filed under Release
No Comments
NFL Honors WSU Extension Employee for Hispanic Heritage Month
Posted September 28, 2012
SEATTLE – A Washington State University Extension curriculum coordinator was one of just 32 Hispanic leaders around the country honored by the National Football League this week in the second annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards. Read more »
Filed under Release
No Comments
WSU Launches New Ph.D. in Prevention Science with Guest Lecture Oct. 8
Posted September 28, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – A new doctoral degree program at Washington State University focuses on the science behind preventing some of the thorniest social issues in the nation rather than costly, after-the-fact treatment or intervention. Read more »
Filed under Release
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Researchers Propose New Way to Save Africa’s Beleaguered Soils
Posted September 19, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash.—A Washington State University researcher and two WSU graduates make a case in the journal Nature for a new type of agriculture that could restore the beleaguered soils of Africa and help the continent feed itself in the coming decades. Read more »
Filed under Release
No Comments
Washington 4-H Foundation Celebrates 50 Years with Gala at the Fair
Posted September 14, 2012
PUYALLUP, Wash. – The Washington State 4-H Foundation will celebrate a half century as one of the primary supporters of Washington State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program at a special gala Sept. 21 during the Western Washington Fair. Read more »
Filed under Release
No Comments
WSU Students Headed to Rwanda, Will Document Trip On Line
Posted May 30, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – When five Washington State University students travel to a small village in central Rwanda this week, they’ll be documenting every step in their journey on a special web site. Pictures, stories and videos will be posted at http://storify.com/cahnrsglobal/rwanda-agriculture-internship as part of the students’ experience. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged CAHNRS, Colleen Taugher, Kiim Kidwell, Rwanda
No Comments
WSU Lind Field Day Slated for June 14
Posted May 29, 2012
LIND, Wash. — The 96th annual Washington State University Lind Field Day will be held Thursday, June 14, at the university’s Dryland Research Station north of Lind. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Lind, Lind Field Day
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Field Days Focus on Oilseed Crops throughout Pacific Northwest
Posted May 22, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Bright yellow flowering fields of winter canola are more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest this spring, and national statistics indicate that winter and spring canola acreage is expected to increase more than 50 percent in Idaho and Washington compared to last year. Several Washington State University and other university field days and tours throughout the region this summer will feature canola, rapeseed, mustard, camelina and sunflower. All events are free and open to the public. Flyers and complete information are available at www.css.wsu.edu/biofuels. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Bill Pan, Biofuels, camelina, canola, field days, oilseed crops, sunflower, Wheat, WSU Extension
No Comments
WSU Organics Pioneer Says Blend of Ag Systems Will Feed the World
Posted May 10, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – No single agricultural system will be enough to feed the planet, according to Washington State University organics pioneer John Reganold in an article published in Nature magazine today. Rather, he says, it will take a blend of systems. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Food Security, John Reganold, Nature, organic agriculture
No Comments
Food Engineer Juming Tang Named First WSU Distinguished Chair in Field
Posted May 9, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Juming Tang, a professor of food engineering who developed a new technology that could revolutionize how we preserve and process food, is the first Washington State University Distinguished Chair of Food Engineering. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Department of Biological Systems, food engineering, Food Preservation, Juming Tang, Microwave Processing
No Comments
Seattle Business Execs More Optimistic About Local, State, National Economies
Posted May 9, 2012
SEATTLE – With sales and employment figures rising, Seattle business executives indicated they are optimistic about the local, regional and national economies and, in fact, expect modest growth over the coming year. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged economy, employment, optimistic, Seattle business executives, WSU School of Economic Sciences
No Comments
Gov. Gregoire Recognizes 39th Anniversary with WSU Master Gardener Volunteer Week
Posted May 7, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – When the 3,800 Washington State University Extension Master Gardener volunteers celebrate the 39th anniversary of the program this spring, they’ll have the backing and support of Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire. She has proclaimed May 13 through May 19 as Washington State University Master Gardener Volunteer Week. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged anniversary, Environment, growing food, Master Gardener, WSU Extension
No Comments
New WSU Course Focuses on ‘Science on Your Plate’
Posted April 27, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Topics ranging from organic foods and certification to chemicals in food and food allergies will be the focus of a new class offered at Washington State University this fall. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Food, School of Food Science, science course
No Comments
Fundraiser, New Wheat Variety Honor Late WSU Graduate Student
Posted April 27, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Just 18 months after her premature death from cancer in December 2010, Washington State University graduate student Virginia Gale Lee’s dream of making a difference in the world is beginning to come true. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Crop and Soil Sciences, Dr. Virginia Lee, Glee, graduate fellowship, Wheat, wheat variety
No Comments
WSU Announces $5 Million Investment to Support Organic Ag, Model Farm
Posted April 20, 2012
SEATTLE – Washington State University took another giant step in becoming the world’s model for research, teaching and extension in organic and sustainable agriculture thanks to a $5 million donor investment announced here this afternoon. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged campaign, Chuck Eggert, John Reganold, Organic, organic agriculture, organic farm, Top Story
No Comments
Whole Foods Market Executive To Discuss Living Values in Business at WSU
Posted March 28, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. – Surviving in a global marketplace “while doing good work from the heart” will be the topic of a public lecture at Washington State University Tuesday, April 3, by Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, one of the largest organic food store chains in the country. Read more »
Filed under Release, tagged Business, organic agriculture, Whole Foods Market
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Contact Kathy Barnard
Director,
Marketing, News, and Educational Communications
221 Hulbert Hall
Phone: 509-335-2806
Email: kbarnard@wsu.edu