THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINING AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (CSANR)

The purpose of the Center is to further the understanding and application of sustainability in agriculture, natural resources, and communities through education and applied research.

The mission of the Center is to develop and foster agriculture and natural resource management approaches that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable. Accordingly, sustainability might be viewed as a philosophy or a process rather than a set of practices. It seeks to combine the best of the old (the tried and the true) and the best of the new (recent innovations that can be considered sustainable) into agriculture systems.

The Center acts as a facilitator to bring together interdisciplinary teams, both within WSU and in partnership with other organizations. The Center provides education on emerging issues through conferences and workshops, on-farm testing and applied research, informational materials, a World Wide Web site, satellite broadcasts, resource library, and personal consultation.

HISTORY

In response to rapid and complex changes facing the State, WSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics during 1990 heard from over 1,500 citizens about future directions for WSU. Participants identified agriculture and natural resources sustainability as a priority issue, resulting in legislative establishment of the Center in 1991.

ALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDES

WSU researchers pioneered the commercial use of pheromone mating disruption as a nontoxic control of codling moth, the key pest in apples. This method allows growers to reduce their reliance on insecticides 50-80%. Mating disruption is now an essential tool for the increasing number of orchardists producing organic fruit. For more information about the project, contact Jay Brunner, (509) 663-8181, jrb@wsu.edu

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The WSU campus-wide compost facility treats over 10,000 tons of waste coming from livestock, food service, and physical plant. WSU has also provided leadership in developing land application systems for biosolids and composts that are environmentally sound and profitable for producers. For information, contact David Granatstein, (509) 663-8181, granats@wsu.edu

ALTERNATIVE FARMING SYSTEMS

A group of growers is partnering with WSU faculty at the Wilke Farm in eastern Washington to test new no-till annual cropping approaches in the low rainfall region in response to changing farm policy. Contact: Diana Roberts, (509) 477-2167, robertsd@wsu.edu

WSU faculty are also supporting other farming alternatives across the state, including bamboo agroforestry, high-value specialty crops, organic farming, small-scale farming, and practices to
reduce nitrate in groundwater, enhance wildlife, and attract beneficial insects. Contact: Carol Miles, (360) 576-6030, milec@wsu.edu or Andy McGuire, (509) 754-2011, Ext. 413, amcguire@wsu.edu

COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS

Local producers, consumers, decision -makers, and others involved in local food systems are striving to promote sustainable, community-based agriculture systems. Community gardens, research on high-value crops, educational programs, farm tours, commercial kitchens, and farmers markets are examples of some of the projects. For more information contact inwfs-list@uidaho.edu or smallfarm@listproc.wsu.edu

SOIL AND WATER QUALITY PROTECTION

The interdisciplinary PM-10 project team has developed field practices to curb wind erosion and airborne dust in central Washington. WSU faculty helped introduce PAM (polyacrylamide) for use in irrigation in the Columbia Basin, reducing soil loss by up to 60 tons per acre per year over untreated fields. Contact Andy McGuire, (509) 754-2011, Ext. 413, amcguire@wsu.edu

The Home * A *Syst water quality education program was customized by WSU faculty for commercial growers and part-time farmers to help them protect groundwater quality . Contact Ginger Baird-Wireman, gbwireman@wsu.edu , or Chris Koehler, koehler@wsu.edu

URBAN-RURAL LINKS

WSU faculty play a major role in The Food Alliance project that is improving dialogue among food system stakeholders and developing market mechanisms to support sustainable farming practices. Center staff work with urban audiences through several sustainable agriculture networks. Contact David Granatstein, (509)663-8181, Ext. 222, granats@wsu.edu for information.

FORESTRY

Nearly 1,000 commercial loggers have learned to apply the principle of sustainable forest ecosystem management through a WSU sponsored industry-certified training program offered throughout the state. Owners of small woodlots have learned to apply the principles of sustainable forestry through the Coached Planning program. Contact: Peter Griessmann, (509) 684-2588, pgriessm@wsu.edu

LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

WSU faculty are working with diverse constituencies in the Pacific Northwest to learn the principles of holistic decision-making, consensus building, and effective leadership skills. Participants come from farms, ranches, forestry operations, environmental groups, tribes, non-profit organizations, and various public agencies. WSU faculty have also trained professionals from Cooperative Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other public agencies in concepts and practices related to sustainable agriculture, natural resources, and communities. Delivery methods include workshops, conferences, field tours, mini-grants, and publications. Contact: Don Nelson, (509) 335-2922, nelsond@wsu.edu

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

An advisory committee assists the Center with representation from a broad spectrum of interests including: traditional and alternative agricultural producers, state and federal agencies, agri-supply industry, processors, consumer groups, marketing groups, and from natural resource, agricultural, and environmental organizations. The committee advises about program needs and visions.

SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER

Local, regional, state, national, and international interest in sustainable agriculture, natural resources, and communities has never been greater. This interest coupled with rapid change and an increasingly interdependent global economy, point to many opportunities for the Center. Some possible future areas of work are

• Small-scale and urban agriculture
• Innovative marketing strategies
• Energy and agriculture
• Organic farming systems
• Role of biotechnology
• Farmland preservation
  

RESOURCES AND GIFTS

The Center relies heavily on extramural funding to support its work. Examples:

• $1 million gift from Paul Lauzier Charitable
• Heinz Spielmann family gift for distinguished lecture
• Verle Kaiser Soil Conservation Award
• USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grants
• EPA - Food Quality Protection Act
• W.K. Kellogg Holistic Management Project
• The Food Alliance
• Individual gifts
  Karl and Lexie Kupers No-Till Farming Research Fund
  Bob and Bonnie Gregson

If you would like additional information about the Center or would like to access our services, call (253)445-4626, FAX: (253) 445-4579, or email: csanr@wsu.edu
Visit us on the World Wide Web at: http://csanr.wsu.edu

Write to us at:

WSU Center for Sustaining
Agriculture and Natural Resources
7612 Pioneer Way E.
Kalkus Hall #317
Puyallup, WA 98371-4998

Cooperative Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.