Food & Agriculture

Few gifts say Happy Valentine’s Day better than wine and chocolate. But exactly what makes them so desirable, so delicious, has long remained a mystery.

WSU Extension’s upcoming Coached Planning Short Course will teach forest owners develop effective management plans for their forests, beginning Feb. 20.

WSU horticulture researchers work with scientists nationally to uncover secrets of the Rosaceae genome family, including roses, apples, almonds, cherries, pears, raspberries, strawberries.

When Pratt, aka Star‑Lord from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and a proud Pacific Northwest hobby farmer in real life, brags to his four million followers about winning a blue ribbon, you know it’s a big deal.

Amber Adams Progar, a WSU dairy management specialist, will join experts at the 15th annual Agriculture Safety Day, Tuesday, Feb. 5, in Kennewick.

WSU’s Cooperative University Dairy Students held their first reunion in the 41‑year history of the program.

Agricultural professionals in Washington, Oregon and Idaho can learn the latest in soil health practices at the “Healthy Soils, Healthy Region Workshop,” March 12‑14 in Pendleton, Oregon.

The 2019 BIOAg Symposium is slated for Feb. 7, at Ensminger Pavilion, and advances the use and understanding of biologically intensive, organic and sustainable agriculture.

Last year in Washington, the program directly reached more than a thousand adults and 2,000 children, and more than 4,400 family members indirectly.

WSU researchers have discovered the way plants respond to disease-causing organisms and how they protect themselves.

The donation will allow WSU and USDA scientists to enhance and update WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension’s postharvest research facilities and equipment.

“Robots and software, sensors and wireless communication are changing the way we grow our food, and offer exciting new ways to solve challenges in sustainability and production.” — Manoj Karkee

As the top recipient of USDA research and development funding, WSU is likely to see increased support for crucial programs.

Alfalfa is one of the most widely cultivated hay crops in the world, with about 55 million tons grown annually in the United States.

Orville Vogel, who died in 1991, spent years building an endowment at WSU for wheat research, which continues to helps scientists launch pioneering research.

Carolina Torres, a horticulturist and WSU alumna, has been named the university’s first Endowed Chair in Tree Fruit Postharvest Systems.