The latest guides from WSU Extension, available for free online, help Northwest farmers and orchardists, food importers, and agricultural stakeholders learn about new rules, improved practices, and changing conditions.
New publications include:
- Economic Feasibility of Using Alternative Plastic Mulches: A Pumpkin Case Study in Western Washington (TB68E). Laid in the field for weed control, moisture conservation, soil warming, and improved yields, biodegradable mulches are an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional polyethylene mulch. This guide helps Washington growers estimate the physical and financial requirements of planting pumpkins on a more sustainable product. Authors include School of Economic Sciences faculty member and IMPACT Center Assistant Director Suzette Galinato, University of Tennessee Professor Margarita Velandia, and Shuresh Ghimire, assistant extension educator with the University of Connecticut.
- Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP): An Overview (FS341E). By scientists Ewa Pietrysiak and Girish Ganjyal in the School of Food Science, this is an overview for the food industry on the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and its rules and terminology covering the importation of food products into the U.S.
- 2019 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing, and Packing Honeycrisp Apples in Washington State (TB70E). This publication, by Karina Gallardo, School of Economic Sciences associate professor/Extension specialist and co-director of the IMPACT Center, and IMPACT Center Assistant Director Suzette Galinato, explores the physical and financial requirements of Honeycrisp production, packing, and establishment.
- Perspectives from Stakeholders on the Food-Energy-Water Nexus in Metropolitan Seattle (TB69E). Climate change, population growth, urbanization, and dependence on international trade have all increased the demand for food, energy, and water resources, while raising the complexity of management decisions. This publication provides a snapshot of perspectives from stakeholders across the Pacific Northwest. Authors include Liz Allen, Douglas Collins, and Kirti Rajagopalan with the WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources; Brad Gaolach with the WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension; Kevan Moffett with the WSU School of the Environment; Michael Brady with the WSU School of Economics; Julie Padowski with the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach (CEREO) and State of Washington Water Research Center; and Sasha McLarty with the WSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.