Washington State University researchers and students will welcome farmers, families, and anyone curious about what happens in the fields and labs of the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon at their free annual Field Day, Thursday, July 12.
Beginning at 3 p.m., faculty and graduate students host a walking or tractor-driven wagon tour of nearly 150 acres of research plots at the Center.
Helping farmers, improving food
Research at NWREC runs the gamut of Pacific Northwest agriculture, from grains and potatoes to spinach, cider, berries, corn and watermelon.
Among more than a dozen presentations, visitors will be able to learn about NWREC’s Cider Education Program, which helps new cider makers develop their craft. Other talks include the use of plastic mulches in red raspberry; how WSU is fighting devastating Fusarium wilt in the region’s valuable spinach seed crops; how to improve pollination and yield in blueberries; and production of bulb fennel.
Following the tour, Field Day visitors can meet scientists, learn about current research projects, and see how work at the Center helps growers, consumers, agricultural business, and the local economy.
“The Field Day gives our scientists and graduate students a chance to share not only the work they do, but why it’s important,” said Steven Seefeldt, NWREC researcher and organizer of this year’s Field Day. “Supported by the people of Washington, we’re solving agricultural challenges. We want people to see firsthand how their investment is working for them.”
Meet new Dean
The Field Day also offers the opportunity to meet André Wright, new dean of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, who will discuss the future of WSU agricultural research and partnerships.
A world-renowned researcher in animal sciences, Wright is the former director of the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona. For more than 20 years he has researched ways to help animals use nutrients more efficiently, reduce methane, and increase food production, sustainably. Wright began his duties June 1.
Following the tour and presentations, a locally prepared barbecue dinner will conclude the day at 5:30 p.m. in the Center’s Sakuma Auditorium.
No RSVP is necessary.
• Learn more about the WSU Northwest Washington Research and Extension Center.