Organic

Research at WSU Organic Farm hits its stride in second year at new home

PULLMAN, Wash. – Certified organic farmgate sales increased 16 percent to $244.6 million for 2010, the last year for which statistics were available, according to data gathered by the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. Certified organic crop acreage and the number of certified organic farms in Washington state, however, decreased […]

Got nitrogen? If plants asked questions, that might be one farmers would hear frequently. For plants, nitrogen is food. By talking to the region’s small farmers about the challenges they face, Washington State University researchers learned that understanding soil fertility–the availability of food for plants-–is a top priority. Based on that need, soil scientist Doug […]

SEATTLE – 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 announced here this afternoon.

MOUNT VERNON, Wash.—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 purchasing locally sourced wheat and flour for […]

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences today launched an electronic newsletter focused on organic and sustainable agriculture. The new, monthly e-newsletter is called Green Times. Subscriptions are free, and new subscribers should start or manage their subscription at http://bit.ly/greentimes.

PULLMAN, Wash. — Thanks to Washington State University food scientist Dong-Hyun Kang and his colleagues, the rising number of organic produce consumers around the world may soon be able to enjoy their fruits and veggies with less risk of food-borne illness than recent headlines have suggested.

Packing More Nutritional Punch into the Already Powerful Potato The humble spud, already a nutritional powerhouse, is set to get a major health-benefiting boost due to research being conducted by horticultural scientists at Washington State University. Jacob Blauer, a doctoral student in the Molecular Plant Science program and research assistant in the lab of WSU […]

Managing Dairy Waste for Profit Researchers from a cross section of disciplines at Washington State University, along with USDA researchers, have teamed up to work on addressing a challenging issue within the dairy industry in the state of Washington: nutrient management. Coming from the departments of animal sciences, economics, biological systems engineering and crop and […]

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University Extension Master Gardeners and the WSU Organic Farm are joining forces to offer an intensive, multi-week course in organic gardening, covering everything from composting to garden planning as well as organic pest control and fertilization. “Organic Gardening Intensive” begins Feb. 20 and run through May 8. The program will […]