Access to Research and Education
Organic and sustainable agriculture research and education is a Washington State University initiative that reaches the entire state. Each of our 4 research and extension centers has areas of excellence that are specific to the important effort of providing applicable research to both the conventional grower as well as the small family farmer.
Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (Mount Vernon)
The WSU-Mount Vernon Research center’s mission is to serve the agricultural, horticultural, and natural resource science interests of the state through research and extension activities that are enhanced by the unique conditions of NW Washington. Areas of excellence impacting organic and sustainable agriculture:
- Bio-degradable mulches
- High tunnel systems
- Pest and disease control measures
- Specialty fruits and vegetables
Puyallup Research and Extension Center (Puyallup)
The Puyallup Research and Extension Center unites a rich past of education and research with a critical and important need: the ability for institutions of higher education to develop sound science, instruction and outreach to meet the needs of future urban communities and their residents. Areas of excellence impacting organic and sustainable agriculture:
- Low Impact Development (LID) Storm water Research Program
- Ecotoxicology (impacts of pesticides and other toxicants)
- Environmental Horticulture (water conservation, recycled organic materials, and stress and pest resistant trees for modern landscapes)
Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (Prosser)
The Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) is the focal point for the University. An estimated two-thirds of the agricultural production in the state comes from irrigated land, making such research of vital interest to Washington’s economy. Areas of excellence impacting organic and sustainable agriculture:
- AgWeatherNet (AWN)
- Wine Grape Research
- Virus identification and control
Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (Wenatchee)
TFREC is dedicated to the tree fruit sciences. Located in the primary fruit producing region of the world, the center features a cooperative, multidisciplinary approach to tree fruit production in the 21st century. Areas of excellence impacting organic and sustainable agriculture:
- Organic Tree Fruit Production Trends
- Organic Tree Fruit Management in the West
- Organic Codling Moth Management in Washington State and the World
