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CSANR Strategic Direction
(updated Nov. 2001)
CSANR: Overview and current
areas of focus (brochure)
Historical Overview of the CSANR
In 1990, Washington State University's College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (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.
CSANR Mission
Original Mission, Priorities, Roles and Activities
The mission of the CSANR is to develop and foster agriculture and
natural resource management approaches that are economically viable,
environmentally sound, and socially acceptable. Rather than duplicate
ongoing efforts, the center strives to facilitate interdisciplinary
linkages and coalitions between WSU, growers, industry, environmental groups, agencies, and the people of Washington.
Establishing Priorities
To establish 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.
- 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.
CSANR Activities
The center fulfills its role of facilitating and networking, seeking
and coordinating funding, and providing education with activities
in two areas:
Improving Land Stewardship: Integrated and alternative cropping
systems; agroforestry; forest ecosystem health; utilization of organic
materials; composting; soil quality/health; water quality; and air
quality.
Food Systems Education: Integration of socioeconomic, cultural
and biological aspects of food production; alternative production
and marketing incentives for sustainably-grown food; food safety,
interrelationships between and among food systems components; participatory
on-farm research and education; state-wide food and agricultural
systems curricula development stressing problem-solving and experiential
learning; community and university educational farms; sustainable
agriculture, environmental, and composting education.
To develop and foster agriculture and natural resource management
approaches that are economically viable, environmentally sound,
and socially acceptable. Rather than duplicate ongoing efforts,
the center strives to facilitate interdisciplinary linkages and
coalitions between WSU, growers, industry, environmental groups,
agencies, and the people of Washington.
Staff/Affiliates
CSANR Supporters
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