Detail from an end view of the new Plant Growth Facility, showing greenhouses and red and gray building with windows.
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Planting strong roots with WSU’s new Plant Growth Facility

Tree fruit growers are partnering with scientists to realize a vital new greenhouse and laboratory space at Washington State University’s Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC). 

Replacing an outmoded 70-year-old research building, the Plant Growth Facility is an investment in the future of Washington state’s $10 billion tree fruit industry.  

Kalcsits speaks at Wenatchee research station orchard, holding microphone.
A new Plant Growth Facility “will make projects possible that we simply can’t do now,” says environmental tree fruit physiologist Lee Kalcsits, speaking at an August field day at WSU’s Sunrise Research Orchard near Wenatchee. Nearly every TFREC member will directly benefit from the modern facility.

“It will make projects we simply can’t do now possible,” said Lee Kalcsits, Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Environmental Physiology and Management. “It’s a leveraging opportunity that opens a whole new set of doors for impact on industry.” 

Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute (NNII), AgWest Farm Credit, Rainier Fruit Company, and many other stakeholders have pledged more than $1 million to support construction, recognizing the need for cutting-edge research that aids Washington tree fruit productivity and economic sustainability. 

“The new facility will offer long-lasting benefits for growers, attract top-tier scientists, and expand research capabilities,” said Bill Perry, AgWest president and CEO. “AgWest is honored to support WSU and help advance the tree fruit industry and its success for generations to come.”  

Detail from an end view of the new Plant Growth Facility, showing greenhouses and red and gray building with windows.
Detail of the facade of new Plant Growth Facility. (Illustration by Carletti Architects P.S.)
Detail from an end view of the new Plant Growth Facility, showing greenhouses and red and gray building with windows.
An illustration by Carletti Architects P.S. shows an end view of the new Plant Growth Facility, which more than doubles greenhouse space and provides modern infrastructure for tree fruit research.

“Scientists and staff at WSU-TFREC have made and continue to make significant contributions to the tree fruit industry in terms of insect and pathogen control, plant physiology, fruit conditioning and storage, and new plant varieties,” said Bill Howell, manager of NNII. “They must have modern facilities for their studies. NNII and its member nurseries feel fortunate to be able to contribute to the much-needed greenhouse complex on their campus.” 

Featuring controlled environments that enable scientists to study plant growth, pest resistance, and environmental stressors in new and advanced ways, the building’s modern greenhouses and research spaces are expected to accelerate cultivar development, advance pest management strategies, and optimize production methods for apples, pears, and other high-value fruit crops. 

With double the existing greenhouse space, modern lighting, and temperature and humidity controls, the Plant Growth Facility will allow for exclusion in experiments demanding isolation of environmental conditions, pests, or pathogens. 

Construction is supported by funds from the Washington State Legislature as well as royalties from the Cosmic Crisp® apple. The fundraising campaign for the facility will continue in the months ahead.  

For WSU pome fruit breeder Kate Evans, the facility will support expanded screening of breeding material for diseases including orchard-devastating fire blight, as well as broader research on new rootstocks. 

“We do a good job of maximizing the facilities we have, but there’s a limit,” Evans said. “With the greenhouses, we’re way beyond it. The new growth facility will give our internationally renowned programs a way to expand into areas we’ve been stymied from entering.”