Pests and Weeds

New clean plant center director works to protect NW crops

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PROSSER, Wash. – As new director of the Clean Plant Center Northwest, Scott Harper will help growers stop devastating crop viruses before they gain a foothold. His top priority is to grow the Northwest’s supply of virus-free fruit trees, vines and hops.

Nov. 20: Learn to thwart forest weeds at WSU Extension expo

EVERETT, Wash. – Blackberries, ivy, holly, Scotch broom, reed canary grass and knotweed are a few of the invasive weeds that plague landowners. The Washington State University Extension forestry program will offer an expo to equip landowners to combat these invaders.

Training, info sessions address changes in pesticide handling

PUYALLUP, Wash. – Pesticide handlers must be trained annually and training records maintained starting in January, according to recent changes in the federal Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Many resources are available to employers to meet the requirements, said Catherine H. Daniels, Washington State University Extension pesticide specialist at WSU Puyallup.