Over the last three years, we have compiled annual reports in order to better share our accomplishments and reach out to our stakeholders – but I also find that the process powerfully reminds me why it’s such an incredible privilege to work at CSANR, an organization which brings together an incredible range of perspectives and expertise within and outside the university, to make progress towards more sustainable agricultural and food systems in our state.
Our annual report for 2016 is complete and we invite you to take a look here. Among the highlights:
In collaboration with key stakeholders, Center-based faculty and affiliates have launched a revitalized Farm and Food Systems team, which will guide our efforts in the areas of Small Farms and Food Systems over the coming years.- We have continued to work on soil health issues, a priority area identified in 2014 by the CSANR leadership, including our advisory committee.
- Center-based faculty have built on efforts in diverse areas including high residue irrigated farming, no-till and reduced-tillage farming for organic producers, transforming organic residuals from the food system into valuable resources, climate adaptation and mitigation for agriculture, supporting farmers’ markets throughout the state, and compiling statistics on organic production in Washington.
- We have maintained a strong record of leveraging extramural funding, and publishing journal articles, book chapters, and formal extension publications relevant to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
- In 2016, we awarded eight new BIOAg grants to initiate research in new areas and to provide educational training to Washington farmers and ranchers. These grants provided funding to nine faculty members from seven different WSU units.
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