Welcome
Welcome to the website of Washington State University’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources. The Center has been working for nearly two decades to bring sustainable solutions to the citizens and agricultural industry of Washington State, first under the leadership of part-time Directors David Bezdicek and Phil Crawford and then from 1999 - 2007 under the leadership of the first full-time Director Chris Feise.
The Center experienced a tremendous growth phase under Chris's entreprenurial leadership, establishing and growing the four major program areas we have today. Chris's legacy includes building a stable funding base for the Center and nurturing nationally recognized faculty and programs. He left HUGE shoes to fill . . .
The context for our work in sustainable agriculture is clearly different today than it was in 1991. 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. Our role 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 knowlege that will make all of our agricultural production systems more sustainable.
Our faculty and affiliates are working on exciting projects including energy and nutrient recovery from organic wastes, improving the management of alternative marketing systems, use of biologically-based management practices and technologies to reduce pesticide use, "space-aged" technology for managing agricultural inputs, and the development of new, sustainable farming systems. The demand for innovation and problem-solving has never been greater - as our society faces unparalleled economic and environmental challenges. But this is also the most exciting time and place to be working in sustainable agriculture research and education and CSANR is definitely up to the challenge.
I encourage you to browse our site to learn about our programs, our people, our publications and our research. Our individual staff members can be contacted via the people page of the site. If you have general comments or questions, you can reach us at csanr@wsu.edu or (253) 445-4626.
Sincerely,
Chad Kruger, Interim Director
Historical Overview of the CSANR
In 1990, Washington State University’s College of Agriculture, Human, Natural Resources (CAHNRS) held 16 town hall meetings where more than 1,500 Washington citizens recommended how WSU could better serve them. A citizen task force, along with representative faculty members from the college, compiled this information identifying three major areas for immediate increased funding support: sustaining agriculture and natural resources, family well-being, and rural growth and revitalization. CAHNRS proposed a package to Washington’s legislature addressing these issues. As a result, in 1991 the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) and the Food and Environmental Quality Laboratory (FEQL) were established through RCW 15.92.
CAHNRS proposed a package to Washington’s legislature addressing these issues. As a result, in 1991 the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) and the Food and Environmental Quality Laboratory (FEQL) were established through RCW 15.92. Due to a lack of legislative support, the CSANR was established with funds reallocated to the CAHNRS from research, extension, and teaching. Housed within the CAHNRS, the center is independent from any department.
In 2006, the Washington Legislature appropriated $400k annually to CSANR for the Biologically Intensive and Organic Agriculture Program (BIOAg) as part of WSU's Unified Agriculture Initiative. In 2007, an additional $200k annually was appropriated for CSANR BIOAg.
CSANR Mission
CSANR leads efforts in sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resource systems that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially responsible.
Establishing Priorities
To establish initial CSANR priorities, four statewide town hall meetings were held soliciting public input on critical issues and possible roles for the center. Common issues identified at the meetings included environmental and resource issues, food safety, agricultural labor economics, urban-rural communication and understanding; and the need for reliable and comprehensible information for growers and the public on alternative agricultural practices and crops.
CSANR Role
As suggested by town hall participants, the CSANR’s role focuses on facilitation and networking, funding, and education. The CSANR facilitates new linkages and better communication between diverse interest groups, WSU units, growers, agencies, industry, environmental groups, and the public. It identifies funding sources, research gaps, and needs; coordinates research and education grant proposals; and facilitates and recommends new research and education programs that sustain agriculture and natural resources. The CSANR also provides factual information on relevant issues to a diverse audience through conferences, newsletters, on-farm documentation, tours, and projects.
New Resources
CSANR Climate Friendly Farming Team Wins National Innovation Award
No-till Organic Vegetable Production Workshop
WSDA Organic Food Program Manager Position Open
Omnivore's Dilemma: WSU Common Reading Program
Final Report: Use of Biochar from the Pyrolysis of Waste Organic Material
as a Soil Amendment
Beyond Waste Workshop Proceedings
2008 Washington Organic Statistics
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