Special Crop Research Initiative Project Meeting
Officials at WSU-IAREC are organizing a multi-state Special Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) project meeting on Nov 18-19 in Hood River, Ore. “A total systems approach to developing a sustainable, stem-free sweet cherry production, processing and marketing system” is led by project directors Dr. Matthew Whiting and Dr. Qin Zhang.
Participants will include research team and advisory committee members from throughout the U.S. working on this $3.9 million, 4-year SCRI project. The team’s long-term goal is to develop a highly efficient, sustainable, sweet cherry production, processing and marketing system. Team members consist of research scientists from Washington State University, Oregon State University, Michigan State University, University of California, and Picker Technologies, LLC. Private industry and grower advisors from throughout the U.S will also be attending.
The press will be invited to attend an experimental orchard tour on the afternoon of Nov 18. The second day of the conference will consist of PI research updates, an advisory committee meeting, and strategic planning session. Please email tracie.arnold@wsu.edu for more information.
December 2010 Commencement Reminder
The faculty RSVP site has been opened for fall commencement. Faculty and administrative members participating in the ceremony need to be registered by November 24th by using the related link: https://www.ronet.wsu.edu/Main/Apps/Cmc_Request.ASP.
CAHNRS and Extension Holiday Sharing Tree
It’s time to begin planning for our annual CAHNRS and WSU Extension Holiday Sharing Tree! A BIG thank you to all who graciously participated last year in this annual event and we look forward to setting new records this year!
Represented agencies
- Latah County’s Christmas for Kids (provide a few clothing items, toys or appropriate gifts, and winter wear when requested)
- Whitman County Humane Society (supplies and donations for animal care)
- Council on Aging and Human Services (provide gifts, food, and personal care items for low-income and elderly in Whitman County)
- Pullman Child Welfare program (gifts for children)
Dates to remember
- Nov 16 – Return Participation form to Jaimie Dahl or Danielle Engelhardt
- Nov 19 – Tree decorating party (with ornaments provided by agencies). Meet at noon in the Hulbert Foyer
- Nov 23 – Dec 15 – Gifts can be stored in Hulbert 101, School of Economic Sciences
- Dec 15 – Gift-wrapping beginning at noon until finished, Hulbert 3
- Dec 15-17 – Agencies will pick up gifts
Graduate Students Host Joint Panels on Sustainable Food Systems
On Oct 22, graduate students from WSU-Mount Vernon hosted a panel discussion called “Beyond Local and Organic: the future of sustainable food systems.” The event featured three food system innovators: Jack Kloppenburg (Professor of Rural Sociology at University of Wisconsin), Diane Dempster (president of Washington Tilth Producers and buyer for Charlie’s Produce) and Brandon Born (associate professor of Urban Planning at the University of Washington). The event was held in the Sakuma Auditorium at WSU-Mount Vernon and attendees were met with mulled cider and refreshments donated by local businesses.
In Mount Vernon, the event welcomed over 90 community members and was broadcast via WECN back to Pullman, where about 50 people were in attendance. The Pullman site also had a live panel made up of Palouse agriculture and food systems experts. “We were really happy with the turnout,” said WSU Mount Vernon graduate student Karen Hills. “The event brought in a great number of people on a Friday night who may not normally engage with the Research and Extension Center, but are passionate about where their food comes from. This is an important group for us to reach out to as a land grant institution.”
Kudos
Linda Chalker-Scott, Extension Horticulturist at WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, has been named a contributing editor to Fine Gardening magazine.