Integration in Action: Fourth in a Series
Integration between CAHNRS and Extension is nothing new when it comes to tree fruit. Scientists at the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center at Wenatchee and WSU Extension educators in the surrounding counties have worked hand in glove in teams for years, according to TFREC Director Jay Brunner. That history and record of successful collaboration is why they are being featured as the fourth installment in our series celebrating excellence in Extension-CAHNRS integration.
“TFREC faculty interact with county Extension faculty in a number of different ways,” he said. “At times, they are directly involved in a collaborative research or education project or activity.” For example, he noted that part of WSU’s success in winning some $14 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative grants last year was a direct result of CAHNRS/Extension integration and collaboration.
“At other times,” Brunner said, “TFREC faculty members serve as speakers or presenters at events organized by Extension county faculty.”
Regardless of who’s doing what, the results can be remarkable.
For example, when Brunner and other WSU researchers (Vince Jones and Elizabeth Beers) confirmed the effectiveness of using pheromones to control orchard pests such as coddling moth, the next challenge was engaging tree fruit growers and persuading them to adopt the new technology. Working with Extension educators like Tim Smith, Karen Lewis and Gwen Hoheisel, the scientists over the years have developed educational and Extension programs that have led to use of the new technology on 85 percent of tree fruit acres in the state. That has meant growers have been able to reduce pesticide use as well as increase productivity in their orchards by reducing crop losses to pests.
Another example of successful integration is the level of engagement and collaboration at the WSU Sunrise Orchard by both departmental and Extension faculty. Lewis, Smith and Hoheisel have each established research demonstration trials along side or in collaboration with departmental faculty at the TFREC orchard.
“This experiment station orchard, by design and by management, is a great example of integration of not only WSU faculty in CAHNRS and Extension, but also of collaborating agencies like USDA-ARS and our industry partners and stakeholders,” said Lewis. “This is a new way of doing business, and I believe the payoff is clear – effective and efficient collaborative and interdisciplinary research and Extension efforts that yield important results for both the scientific community and for the industries we serve.”
A prime opportunity to see “integration in action” is the 2010 WSU Sunrise Orchard Field Day scheduled from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday, July 29.
REMINDER: Women’s History Recognition Award Nominations Due June 15, 2010
The Office of the Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences seeks Women’s Leadership Recognition award nominations for CAHNRS alumnae who have distinguished themselves in one of two areas: Community Leadership and Service, or Professional and Academic Leadership. Please consider nominating one of your unit’s distinguished alumnae.
Please nominate a woman whom you believe represents the qualities embodied in a graduate from CAHNRS at Washington State University. This includes all academic and extension units that have been a part of the college in any way throughout its history. Nominations do not have to come from an academic unit and we encourage the many groups that have outstanding graduates working with them to nominate those individuals. We are committed to making the process as straight forward as possible. If you have any questions about the process or submittal requirements, please contact Tatum Weed, at tatumweed@wsu.edu or 509-335-3590.
The nominations will be accepted until June 15, 2010. Forms can be found at http://www.cahnrsalumni.wsu.edu/womens-history.html.