Agriculture & Natural Resources
What is the mission of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)?
Recognizing its unique land-grant research and education mission to the people of Washington and the state’s increasing global involvement, the college provides leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge through high quality research, instruction and extension programs that contribute to a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhance sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promote stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems.
What is the Agricultural Research Center? Is it part of CAHNRS?
The Washington State University Agricultural Research Center (ARC) is the Agricultural Experiment Station of the State of Washington. The goal of the ARC is to promote research beneficial to the citizens of Washington. Administratively, the ARC sits within CAHNRS, but also includes scientists from other WSU colleges.
What is WSU doing for organic agriculture in terms of research and education? Does that take way from what the university does for traditional growers?
Of the $23 million in state-appropriated dollars expended by the Agricultural Research Center in fiscal 2005, $3.8 million was expended for research relevant to organic and sustainable agriculture. The research advances CAHNRS scientists make in cropping systems—organic or traditional—can, and have had, benefits for both, e.g., integrated pest management for codling moth in apples and precision agriculture.
We are a state institution funded with federal, state and private dollars and are responsive to the emerging needs and demands of the entire state’s population. As a research institution, our job is to help all farmers in the state stay in business and to be profitable.
Economically, organic growers are commanding a higher price in a growing market and spending less on inputs for their products. Their success contributes to the overall economic success of the state—as does that of traditional agriculture. By acreage, organic and small farms constitute a fraction of what traditional farms represent; however, they are the fastest growing segment of the agricultural industry in Washington and in the United States.
To meet the educational demand of the organic farming market, in 2005 WSU established the nation’s first major in organic agriculture. Not only does the new major teach students how to grow crops organically, it also provides instruction in related industries, such as marketing. Because an internship is required for graduation with the degree in organic agriculture, students meet the needs of employers demanding graduates with broad interdisciplinary experience specific to organic agriculture and organic food systems. News of the new major was publicized nationally, including in WSU Today, National Public Radio, and the Denver Post.
What is “biopharming” and to what extent is WSU involved in it?
Biopharming is the manipulation of genetic material from both plant and animal sources to produce plants that contain pharmaceutical properties. For example, insertion of genes that control insulin production in mammals into a barley variety produces a crop that potentially could provide a new and abundant source of a drug much in demand.
Such transgenic research represents a very small fraction of the overall research conducted by WSU scientists and WSU exceeds federal standards and regulations regarding transgenic research.
What is WSU Extension and what does it do?
Washington State University Extension engages people, organizations and communities to advance knowledge, economic well-being and quality of life by fostering inquiry, learning, and the application of research.
Washington State University Extension is the front door to the University. It extends non-credit education and degree opportunities to people and communities throughout the state. Extension builds the capacity of individuals, organizations, businesses and communities, empowering them to find solutions for local issues and to improve their quality of life. Extension is recognized for its accessible, learner-centered, relevant, high quality, unbiased educational programs. Extension collaborates with communities to create a culture of life-long learning.
For more information about WSU Extension, please visit the Extension web site.
Upcoming Events:
(if you know of an upcoming event related to Agricultural and Natural Resounces, please email us with information to be listed here.)
Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter - Food, Farm & Natural Resource Systems
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WSU College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resouce Sciences (CAHNRS)
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USDA Weekly Weather and Climate
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WSU Ag Animal Health Newsletter
is a weekly, electronic newsletter for the friends and stakeholders of the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), WSU Extension and the Agricultural Research Center.
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