It’s a Fact Washington’s agriculture and food industry employs 173,000 people, making it the state’s largest employer. Over 230 different crops are grown in Washington which, combined, contribute more than $5 billion per year to the state’s economy. On Solid Ground is a weekly, electronic newsletter for the friends and stakeholders of the Washington State […]
PULLMAN, Wash. — For 35 years, the Capitol Christmas tree has been harvested from one of the 50 states and transported to Washington D.C. This year, Washington State is providing a majestic, picture-perfect, 45-year-old tree that will stand in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. during the holidays. Washington State University scientist […]
It’s a Fact Wine grapes are grown on more than 30,000 acres in the state. Approximately 18 million gallons of wine are produced in Washington with an estimated retail value of more than $685 million. The total economic impact of the wine industry on Washington state is estimated at $3 billion. On Solid Ground is […]
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Dec. 6 is the date for the opening celebration for Washington State University’s Agricultural Research and Technology Building. The new facility is the centerpiece in the $8 million revitalization of the WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center. The invitation-only celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the new […]
PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University Extension is leading a nationwide program to help livestock and poultry operators and others develop ways to meet stricter environmental regulations for managing nutrients and to protect water quality by managing how and what livestock eat. Joe Harrison, an Extension specialist at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, […]
It’s a Fact More than half of all apples grown in the United States for fresh eating come from orchards in Washington state. Washington apples are sold in all 50 states and more than 40 countries. Americans eat approximately 19.6 pounds of fresh apples annually, compared to about 46 pounds consumed annually by residents of […]
PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington state’s highest in-the-nation minimum wage slated to go up to $7.94 on Jan. 1 will have a modest, mixed but mostly positive, impact on the economy, according to an assessment conducted at Washington State University. The loss of gross state product from the 5 percent minimum wage increase would be roughly […]
PULLMAN, Wash. — Reports on research to reduce wind erosion and improve air quality in the Inland Pacific Northwest will be presented at the Northwest Columbia Plateau PM-10 Project Conference December 14-15 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel, Spokane Valley. The Columbia Plateau PM-10 Project addresses problems of windblown dust in the Inland Pacific Northwest, particularly […]
It’s a Fact According to the Washington Potato Commission, “The potato belongs to the family Solanaceae, and is known to scientists as Solanum tuberosum . Other members of the family are the tomato, pepper (green, chili, jalapeno, etc.), eggplant, nightshade, belladonna, petunia, and tobacco.” Through direct and indirect sales, potatoes contribute about $3 billion per […]
It’s a Fact Washington asparagus is produced on approximately 10,000 acres in the Columbia Basin, the Yakima Valley and the Walla Walla area. About 53 million pounds of asparagus are produced each year, bringing close to $28 million to the state’s economy. New Digs for Tree Fruit Research WSU’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center […]