LIND, Wash. — Wheat growers presented a $25,000 check to Washington State University officials Wednesday to start an endowment fund for WSU’s Lind Dryland Research Station.
Accepting the check at a reception at the station, Jim Zuiches, dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, said “This is a very positive commitment on your part and it will be reciprocated in terms of the positive commitment we will make.”
Interest from the endowment will be used to support research at the station. A committee of growers and university faculty will decide how the funds will be used.
The station has been the focal point of WSU crop development and management research to help dryland growers for the past 81 years. Operating funds for the station have been limited for more than a decade.
“I think people will stand up and take notice that we have done something here that’s well worthwhile,” said Grant Miller, Lind farmer and a member of the grower group that started the endowment fund.
“I think we’ve shown WSU that there is a need and shown that we’re willing to work together.”
Miller said 60 individuals from New York to California donated from $20 to $1,000 to get the endowment off the ground. “It’s commendable there were enough people with that much foresight.”
David Andersen, a member of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers executive management team, delivered a message from Don Phillips, president of the association.
Phillips, speaking on behalf of the association, expresses “unwavering, absolute support for this endeavor,” Andersen said.
Contributions can be made by mailing to the College of Agriculture and Home Economics Alumni and Development Office, P.O. Box 646228, Pullman, WA 99164-6228. Make the checks payable to the WSU Foundation and indicate they are for the Dryland Research Station Endowment.
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