Sustainability is an idea that is beginning to permeate mainstream society, including becoming a driving force behind the agriculture and food system and also the university. The role of CSANR as a university center has matured from being the “go-to place” for information on sustainable agriculture production practices to that of being a catalyst for cutting edge research and education on the critical issues facing agriculture, such as climate change, energy and water security, and improving technology and management knowledge that will make all of our agricultural production systems more sustainable.
Climate Friendly Farming
- CSANR seeks to understand the interconnections between climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and agriculture in an effort to reduce agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases, improve soil carbon sequestration, and develop bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts from agriculture that offset the combustion of fossil fuel carbon.
Waste to Energy
- The demand for innovation and problem-solving has never been greater – as our society faces unparalleled economic and environmental challenges. This is the most exciting time and place to be working in sustainable agriculture research and education and CSANR is definitely up to the challenge. Biologically Intensive farming practices and systems rely on biological processes which are renewable, non-polluting, and mutually beneficial to both farmers and society.
Plants that Kill Disease
- CSANR is leading the research in using mustard green manures in irrigated regions of eastern Washington to improve soil quality, control wind erosion, and manage soil-borne pests. Green manures improve soil quality by increasing soil organic matter and also by stimulating the growth of microorganisms. These microorganisms secrete compounds that bind soil particles together into aggregates. With improved soil aggregation comes improved water infiltration, aeration, and resistance to wind erosion. In addition, although all the mechanisms are not well understood, there are several ways that green manures can control soil-borne pests.
Invest in the Center
The contributions of CSANR on best practice farming that impact the generation to come needs you! You can provide a gift that will impact not just the center, but the state of Washington and the world. For more information about CSANR and how you can invest in the future of this important work. To donate or for more information about providing a gift to CSANR email: Melissa.Bean@wsu.edu
