WSU Receives $5 Million Investment to Support Organic Ag, Model Farm Washington State University took another giant step in becoming the world’s model for research, teaching and extension in organic and sustainable agriculture, thanks to a $5 million donor investment by alumni and natural foods pioneers Chuck and Louanna Eggert and their family. Their gift […]
Failing for Success: Transitioning to Organic Grain on the Palouse What choices do Palouse farmers have when they want to convert conventional agricultural land into organic grain production in order to earn the premium price on organic grain? Many, as it turns out, and the choices will have a significant effect on a farmer’s success, […]
WSU Mount Vernon Team Studies Damping-Off Management in Organic Vegetables Large-scale Pacific Northwest organic vegetable producers routinely plant 30 percent more seed than they really want. They do this to help with weed control and because they anticipate losing that much to a plant disease called damping-off, according to Lindsey du Toit, associate professor and […]
Soil Microbes in Organic Farming Systems Are Under Researchers’ Microscope One of the goals of organic agriculture is to improve soil quality over time by increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil. This is done by various means, including adding animal manure, leaving plant matter behind after vegetables and grains have been […]
WSU Scientists Use Flower Power to Combat Orchard Menace Apple orchards are intricate webs involving a delicate balance between trees, soils, water, insects and more. To manage the pests that can potentially damage a crop of apples, a grower might apply a pesticide. There are several problems associated with pesticide use, though, including risks to […]
Local Wheat? Could Be Sweet, Say West Side Bakers Wheat growers west of the Cascades could bring in more profit by supplying wheat to local bakers, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by Washington State University graduate researcher Karen Hills. Sixty percent of western Washington commercial bakers said they are interested in […]
Welcome to Green Times! For over 30 years, Washington State University has been at the forefront of sustainable and organic agriculture education, innovation, and research. WSU scientists provided some of the first direct evidence of the nutritional value of organically grown food and are leaders in calling for changes in the way Americans practice agriculture. […]