New free guides available online from WSU Extension include a look at the benefits of storing carbon in inland northwest crop soils, as well as the economics of growing the Draper blueberry west of the Cascades.
Every month, experts with WSU share new information through the WSU Extension Publications bookstore.
Washington state is the largest producer of conventional highbush blueberries in the U.S. Developed by Michigan State, ‘Draper’ has high fresh market quality and good storage capability. Readers can learn if producing ‘Draper’ blueberries under conventional management is feasible using these cost estimates and analyses. Authors are WSU Professor and Extension Specialist R. Karina Gallardo, Extension Assistant Professor Suzette Galinato, and Chris Benedict, professor and regional extension specialist.
This guide explores the management strategies that allow cropland soils in the inland northwest to effectively store carbon, acting as carbon sinks. Scientists reviewed regional research on strategies including intensified production, reduced tillage, perennial and cover crops, and soil amendments, among others. They found that several practices provide modest but real contributions to carbon sequestration, with co-benefits including soil conservation, water storage, increased microbe activity, and sustained ability to grow food for future generations. Authors are Georgine Yorgey, associate director of WSU’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources; Karen Hills and Sonia Hall, CSANR research associates; Chad Kruger, CSANR director; and Claudio Stöckle, professor emeritus, Department of Biological Systems Engineering.