Miles, C.

Carol Miles

Tracking the Organic Sector in Washington State

The organic agriculture sector in Washington achieved an estimated $776 million in farm-gate sales in 2019. Regular, accurate statistical data on this sector are not available from the standard government sources, thus WSU has been compiling data continuously since 2004. Growers, processors, consultants, businesses and others in the organic sector need solid data upon which […]

Evaluating regulated deficit irrigation in cider apple orchards for improved water use efficiency, reduced labor input, and improved fruit quality

Irrigation efficiency is a priority for sustainable orchard management. Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is a management strategy that has been shown to conserve water, reduce vegetative growth and pruning costs, reduce leaching of agrochemicals into groundwater, and improve fruit quality attributes. In apple specifically, fruit quality effects of RDI have included reduced fruit size and […]

Cider Sensory Evaluation Guide: A Peer-reviewed Extension Publication For Cider makers, Cider distributors, and Researchers

Knowledge of the underlying factors of cider’s sensory characteristics and the techniques for assessment is critical to the consistent production of high-quality end product. Our research-based peer-reviewed guide provides an understanding both the theory and practice of cider evaluation, information that provides a much needed foundation for teaching or studying the principles of cider making. […]

Can lignin degrading organisms reduce Verticillium wilt in pumpkin cropping systems?

Raised beds in pumpkin cropping systems are frequently mulched with polyethylene (PE), providing numerous benefits. However, PE mulch has negative environmental consequences since it can remain in the soil for years. Biodegradable plastic mulch films (BDM) that are soil incorporated and biodegraded by microorganisms may present a sustainable alternative. Verticillium dahliae causes Verticillium wilt on […]

WSU Plasticulture website development

The term “plasticulture” refers to the use of plastic for the benefit of agricultural production. In practice, plasticulture may be used to describe agricultural systems that utilize plastic-covered structures to extend growing seasons and protect crops from excess moisture, extreme weather, and other threats; ground-laid plastic mulch films; plastic-based precision irrigation systems (i.e. drip irrigation); […]

Bi-Functional Crops: Fall-sown cool season grain legumes provide cover crop attributes

Cool season food legumes (CSFL) harvested as seed are important rotational crops in the Palouse region of WA and ID and western WA as they provide fixed N to subsequent crops and break weed and disease cycles. In organic systems, fall-sown CSFL can serve as winter cover crops to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health […]

Garden-based STEM nutrition and biology K-12 curriculum to increase pulse consumption

Despite being rich in protein, fiber, and phytonutrients, pulse crops remain an underutilized food in typical American diets. To help promote pulse consumption, we developed a STEMfocused curriculum that combines exposure to pulses in a school garden setting and in the classroom through nutrition, math and biology education. This curriculum meets the new Next Generation […]

Online Training Module for Grafting Vegetable Transplants

Grafting vegetable crops onto resistant rootstock is an effective organic and sustainable strategy to manage soil-borne diseases such as Verticillium wilt, which is a common disease throughout Washington. Grafting has been used successfully in Asia for nearly 100 years, but is only now being adopted in the U.S. Based on work done in our CSANR […]

Production Cost Estimation of Establishing a Cider Apple Orchard in Washington State

This project addresses the BIOAg priority of economic analysis by investigating the cost and returns for establishing a cider apple orchard in Washington. The enterprise budget will include specialty varieties used for quality hard ciders, and a comparison of hand harvest with machine harvest using currently available equipment (raspberry harvester). The goal is to support […]

Planning for a Phase II SCRI grant proposal on ‘Utilization and Versatility of Biodegradable Agricultural Materials in Specialty Crop Production’

The Phase II SCRI project would address important questions raised by the first project, including: opportunities for new feedstocks and formulations for mulches; biodegradability of materials in soil and other environments; versatility for diverse uses in agriculture (annual/perennial crops, mulches, row covers, disease and pest mitigation); and enhanced disposal in soil, composting, and anaerobic digestion […]