PULLMAN, Wash. — Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. George Nethercutt are scheduled to lead a contingent of speakers at an open house of Washington State University’s new, state-of-the-art, $8 million wheat research facility at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.
The open house is one of several events planned for the annual Land Grant Day celebration of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics.
The new research facility has 28 greenhouse sections, blanketed by nearly half- an-acre of glass. It houses 11 growth rooms and 24 growth chambers where scientists can mimic seasonal weather conditions. The facility is expected to speed development of new varieties of wheat and legumes. Construction, begun in August 1996, was completed this fall.
The project was funded by an appropriation of $4 million from the state, $3 million from the federal government and contributions of $1 million from the Washington Wheat Commission and $50,000 from the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council.
Other Land Grant Day activities:
- 9 a.m.-10 a.m., WAZZU Stew Cook-off registration, Room 155, Food Science and Human Nutrition Building. The entry deadline has been extended to the start of the contest.
- 10 a.m., reunion of former students of the apparel, merchandising, and interior design department, White Hall.
- 10 a.m.- 11:30 a.m., (weather permitting) student club, academic department and industry displays, Rugby Field.
- 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., antique engine display courtesy of the Lewis-Clark Antique Power Club, Rugby Field, next to the Livestock Pavilion.
- 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., reunions for former students of the crop and soil sciences department and plant pathology department at the Wheat Research Facility.
- 11:10 a.m., opening ceremonies for a new $5.8 million Animal Science Laboratory Building adjoining Clark Hall. (Reception and tours at 10:30 a.m.)
- 11:30 a.m., Open house program at Wheat Research Facility. (Reception and self-guided tours at 10:30 a.m.)
- 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Face painting, balloons and games for children, Rugby Field.
- 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Student club, academic department and industry displays, Livestock Pavilion.
- 4:30 p.m., (or just after the game) Reunion of former Ambassadors (student recruitment volunteers), lobby of Hulbert Hall.
- 5 p.m-6 p.m., Beef barbecue, Rugby Field.
- 6 p.m., Alumni and Friends Benefit Auction, courtesy of Booker Auctions, Rugby Field. Proceeds support student and alumni activities.
- 8:30 p.m., Western dance lessons followed by a western dance, Livestock Pavilion. Music provided by radio station KHTR.
Tickets for the barbecue are $7.50 at the door. Dance tickets are $3 for single admissions, $5 for couples at the door.
Contact the WSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics alumni and development office at (509) 335-2243 for further information.
WSU was established under the provisions of the Morrill Act of 1862. The act provided grants of federal lands to states to help fund development of colleges and universities to teach agriculture, military tactics, the mechanic arts and classical studies so that members of the working classes could obtain a liberal, practical education.
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