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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources

@wsucsanr.bsky.social
111 followers 117 following 91 posts

Investing in research and partnerships to create systems-level solutions. csanr.wsu.edu

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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Get funding to generate preliminary data, complete high-impact research, or explore a new direction for sustaining agriculture in WA. First-time applicants encouraged. 📅 Letter of intent: 11/18/26 📅 Full proposal: 12/14/26 csanr.wsu.edu/bioag #WSU #CAHNRS #BIOAg
Graphic with image of people in a field and text overlay: Call for Proposals: BIOAg grant program. Up to $40,000 for WSU faculty.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
SQUASH! 9,500+ lbs grown in WSU Puyallup research plots were donated to the Emergency Food Network, Puyallup Food Bank, and Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank. CSANR’s Doug Collins studies reduced tillage at one of 6 LTARE sites supported by WaSHI.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
CSANR Faculty Leadership Team member Kirti Rajagopalan explains why “big data” depends on perspective and what that means for agricultural AI. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/agricultural... #WSU #SEAS
Image of wheat on hills with text that says Perspectives. Agricultural Data: Big or Small?
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Electric vs. diesel in the orchard. 🍎⚡ At WSU’s Sept. 23 field day, CSANR’s Aliyana Avalos shared that the electric UTV used less energy per mile with light, medium and heavy loads. Photo: Avalos with WSU Energy Program’s Jason Kung (left) and Brad James (right).
Three people stand outside with a sandwich board and ATV.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“The better the technology becomes, the more it points us back to the people who will use it and the agricultural systems it represents.” Amin Norouzi Kandelati describes improving satellite-based models for mapping tillage. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/mapping-till... #WSU #SEAS
Graphic: "BIOAg-Funded Research: Mapping Tillage Practices in Eastern Washington" over photo of three men looking at a big screen with maps.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
How can BIOAg-funded work help conservation district staff track tillage? Amin Norouzi Kandelati and Kirti Rajagopalan explain the project. 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGNx... #WSU #SEAS #BIOAg
youtube.com
Mapping Tillage Practices with Satellite Data
YouTube video by WSU CSANR
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Congratulations to WSDA Director Derek Sandison, a valued member of CSANR’s Advisory Committee, on his election as president of NASDA. We’re grateful for his partnership and look forward to his leadership in this national role. agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/n...
agr.wa.gov
News Releases | Washington State Department of Agriculture
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The next session in the Anaerobic Dairy Digester Webinar Series will cover nutrient management and permitting. 🗓️ Sept 15 ⏰ 10am PDT 🎟️ Free to attend energy.wsu.edu/digester-web...
energy.wsu.edu
Anaerobic Dairy Digester Webinar Series
This webinar series will explore the economic, regulatory, and technological aspects of implementing anaerobic dairy digesters in Washington.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
🍇 Grapevines are pretty much weeds. 🍇 So what does "healthy soil" mean for Washington vineyards? csanr.wsu.edu/healthy-soil... #WSU #WeedsToWine
csanr.wsu.edu
What Does Healthy Soil Mean for Washington Vineyards?
A long-term WSU study is identifying which soil-health practices support resilient vineyards.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
💰 Get up to $5K for projects that teach soil conservation to K–college students in the Palouse & Inland Empire region. WA/ID colleges, NRCS, and Conservation Districts: apply by Nov. 2. 🔗http://csanr.wsu.edu/kaiser #Palouse #Spokane #Moscow #Pullman #NiceDirt
Graphic says, Call for proposals, Fund your soil conservation education project.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Can high Brix make a crop insect-proof? CSANR’s Andrew McGuire examined the claim that virtually no insects will feed on plants at 12 Brix or above. He found little research supporting it. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/brix-insect #WSU #PestManagement
Graphic with image of aphids says: Perspectives. Unraveling the Brix-Insect Story.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Are you Awesome? We're Hiring! CSANR is hiring a 1-year Natural Resource Scientist to support projects in specialty crop and irrigated agriculture, AI, and how Extension can help growers adapt. Apply by August 31 for priority consideration! #WSU #Jobs mydrive.cahnrs.wsu.edu/s/qCQnSTZcXJ...
A river valley in fall with mountains in the distance
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Congratulations to Lauren Stubbs, a WSU soil science PhD student and 5th-gen Whitman County farmer! CSANR awarded Lauren the 2026 Lawrence Hickman Fellowship for her research on pea-canola intercropping. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/putting-peao... #Intercropping #DrylandFarming #Peaola #WSU
csanr.wsu.edu
Putting Peaola to the Test
Lauren Stubbs is studying pea-canola intercropping to improve soil health and farm sustainability in eastern Washington.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Curious about prescribed burning on ranches? Join CSANR Advisory Committee member Maurice Robinette and partners Sept 12 at Lazy R Ranch in Cheney for a free event on grazing and fire resilience. Lunch included. 🔗 bit.ly/091226 #PrescribedFire #Ranching
A small fire burns in a line in an arid forest.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Missed the first webinar? The recording is now posted! energy.wsu.edu/digester-web... Second webinar registration: energy.wsu.edu/digester-web... 🗓️ July 21, 2026 ⏰10:00 AM PDT 🎟️ Free to attend #WSUEnergy #AnaerobicDigestion #ClimateSmartAgriculture
Graphic says, Anaerobic Dairy Digester Webinar Reminder: Utility Relations and Power Markets. Date: July 21, 2026. Time: 10am PDT. Location: Online Meeting. QR code and URL to register for free session.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
How do solar panels turn sunlight into electricity? CSANR’s Allie Higginbotham helps Dr. Universe explain photovoltaic cells, electric currents, and what happens when a home produces more solar power than it needs. askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2026/05/28/s...
askdruniverse.wsu.edu
What is a solar panel and how does it work?
The electric current moves from the solar panel to copper wire. Then it travels off the roof and eventually to the outlets in your home.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Happy to see Anne Schwartz, a longtime member of CSANR’s Advisory Committee, highlighted in this Seattle Times article about farm succession and the next generation of small organic farmers. 🔗 www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-m...
seattletimes.com
Skagit Valley farmers, who shaped how we eat, work to pass the shovel to next generation
Skagit Valley farmers, like Anne Schwartz who helped shape how we eat, are now working hard to pass the shovel to the next generation of organic growers.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
How much cover crop biomass is enough? It depends on the goal. In a RealAgriculture Soil School interview, CSANR’s Andy McGuire explains how biomass drives cover crop benefits: 🎧 www.realagriculture.com/2026/07/how-biomass-drives-cover-crop-benefits-soil-school
realagriculture.com
How biomass drives cover crop benefits | Soil School
How biomass drives cover crop benefits | Soil School
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
🐄Anaerobic Digester Webinar Series 🌱 Join a free five-part webinar series to support development and operation of anaerobic dairy digesters. energy.wsu.edu/digester-web... #RenewableEnergy #DairyFarming #AnaerobicDigesters #GreenhouseGas #AgTech #WAagriculture
Graphic with pic of cow, WSU Energy Program logo, and text that says, Anaerobic Dairy Digester Webinar Series. Register today for this free, five-part series to gain insights into developing and operating dairy farm anaerobic digesters in Washington. The first webinar occurs July 7!
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Organic vs. conventional labels matter less than the practices driving biomass inputs. 🔗Link in bio #SoilHealth #WSU #OrganicFarming
Graphic that says "Perspectives: What actually builds soil organic matter" with a graphic overlaid with arrows and soil conservation techniques listed.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Can an electric UTV handle real-world orchard work? CSANR’s Allie Higginbotham is working with WSU Sunrise Research Orchard to compare electric and diesel utility vehicles in apple orchard operations, tracking performance, energy use, and costs. #WSU #AgTech
Two quads sit side by side.Two people inspect a quad.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
What builds soil organic matter? Not organic labels. Andrew McGuire looks at new research comparing organic and conventional farms and argues that dominant drivers matter most. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/what-actuall... #SoilHealth #WSU
csanr.wsu.edu
Dominant Factors: What Actually Builds Soil Organic Matter
Organic and conventional systems can build soil when their practices support the dominant drivers of organic matter.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Extension professionals: work with specialty crop growers? Practical Adaptation for Specialty Crops is a 5-day course focused on practical adaptation planning. Most expenses covered for admitted participants. Apply by June 26: 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/practical-ad... #WSU #Extension
Practical Adaptation for Specialty Crops

A short course for resilient crop systems under increasing weather variability.

Most expenses covered.

Apply by June 26.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Can heritage chicken breeds help farmers manage disease pressure? A CSANR BIOAg-supported project led by Jeb Owen found that Campylobacter colonization rates ranged from 0% to 57%, depending on breed. More: csanr.wsu.edu/disease-resilience-in-heritage-breeds #Poultry #OrganicFarming #WSU
Chicks in an incubator.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Grateful to have Sieg Snapp and Vicki McCracken join our CSANR retreat last week. The discussion built on months of stakeholder input from across Washington agriculture and helped sharpen priorities for the years ahead.
Group of 11 people poses outside.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
At the Chelan County Resilience Summit, CSANR's Sonia Hall showed how climate science shapes tree fruit decisions, from water timing to sunburn risk and fruit quality.
Woman at a podium with slide that says "Challenges Affecting Agriculture and Opportunities for Resilience."
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Last month, CSANR’s Teal Potter led an ag + climate policy tour in DC with the Climate Analogs Academy. Participants met with Senate ag staff, USDA, and national orgs to understand how policy gets made. The USDA building spans a city block. The elevators don’t.
People crammed into an elevator.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
CSANR funded 7 new BIOAg projects for 2026, supporting research in dairy systems, pest management, and more. Since 2020: $1.46M → $20M+ leveraged. Explore the projects: 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/bioag-2026
csanr.wsu.edu
BIOAg Projects Funded in Competitive Grant Cycle
Seven BIOAg grants support practical agricultural research across Washington State University, advancing dairy, crops, and plant health.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Farmers have more soil inoculant products to choose from than ever. Most of them fail. CSANR's Andrew McGuire explains why in his latest Perspectives piece. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/why-soil-ino... #SoilHealth #AgReality #NoEasyAnswers #WSU
Photo of fermentation vats with text overlay: Perspectives: Why Soil Inoculants Fail.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Research. Partnerships. Results. The 2024–2025 CSANR Biennial Report highlights measurable impact across Washington state. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/biennial-rep... #AgResearch #WSUExtension #ClimateResilience #WSU
csanr.wsu.edu
Biennial Report
Highlights from two years of CSANR research and partnerships delivering practical solutions for agriculture and natural resources.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Nature ≠ Farming CSANR's Andrew McGuire argues that romantic ideas about nature don't work for crop production. Growers must navigate tradeoffs in nutrients, biodiversity, and pest management. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/pop-ecology #PopEcology #AgReality #NoEasyAnswers #WSU
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
CSANR researchers helped advance biochar science and waste-to-energy systems through this 20-year partnership.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Each year, CSANR sponsors undergraduate students to attend the Tilth Conference. Student reflections show how attending Tilth helps students build networks and encourage critical thinking about sustainable agriculture. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/tilth-takeaw... #Organic #Tilth #WSU
Woman stands in front of display table.Woman digs in the soil of a field.Woman sits at a conference table.
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Reposted by WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources
WSU CAHNRS @wsucahnrs.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Agriculture professionals: get help understanding how artificial intelligence is shaping agricultural technologies. @wsucsanr.bsky.social has a newly launched online training series made up of an 11-video lecture series. CEU credits available. #GoCougs csanr.wsu.edu/resources/ai...
csanr.wsu.edu
Course on AI and Agriculture
An 11-video lecture series on agriculture and AI designed for agricultural professionals.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
We asked landowners, foresters, tribal members, and agency staff: can forest residues be used as fuel feedstock at scale? 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/can-sticks-p... #SAF #ItsComplicated #WSU
A fire smolders in a forest with overlay text: Perspectives. Can sticks and small trees power planes?
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
With support from CSANR’s BIOAg Program, WSU grad student Burke Parham is using erosion modeling to identify soil-loss “hotspots” in eastern Washington—helping target conservation where it matters most. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/focusing-ag-... #EngineeringDirt #WEPP #WSU
Image of Palouse hills with overlay text that says 'BIOAG-FUNDED BIOAG -FUNDED RESEARCH Focusing Agricultural Conservation Where the Land Needs It Most' .
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Congrats to CSANR Director Chad Kruger on his new WSU research leadership role. He leads by getting on the road and meeting researchers and stakeholders face-to-face. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/news #ChadShowsUp #WSU
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
CSANR and @wsdagov.bsky.social review anticipated climate change impacts on Washington ag in a new Extension publication. 🔗 bit.ly/ClimateChangeImpactsWA #WSU #ClimateAdaptation
Digital illustration of eastern Washington landscape with header text: New! Extension Publication, Anticipated Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture in Washington State.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
New Dairy Climate Roadmap shares practical options for Washington dairies to reduce emissions. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/dairy-roadmap #ClimateSmartDairy #WADairy #WSU
Dairy cows in a barn.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
CSANR’s Georgine Yorgey and Allie Higginbotham attended the Washington Dairy Conference, where Georgine presented key recommendations for eastside, westside, and organic dairies. More about the dairy roadmap next week... #WADairyConference #WSU
Woman presenting slideshow at a conference; slide says "Roadmap Background."
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
New CSANR Perspectives piece breaks down Washington’s compost reimbursement pilot: who used it, what changed, and what the data show. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/compost-incentives #GrowWithData #WSU
Map of Washington state indicating locations of eligible compost facilities and participating fields. Facilities and fields are clustered in Kitsap Peninsula, I-5 corridor, central WA, along WA/OR border, with a few in eastern WA.
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Reposted by WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources
WSU CAHNRS @wsucahnrs.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
#WSU researchers will continue developing new crop varieties for farmers, fueling efforts to bring more whole grains to the public, thanks to a $19M public-private partnership. The funding includes $10M from the Washington Research Foundation. #GoCougs news.wsu.edu/press-releas...
news.wsu.edu
Effort to put whole grains on shelves, plates gets major boost
WSU will lead a five‑year, $19 million initiative to bolster the whole-grain pipeline from the field to the fork, including the development of commercial products.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
CSANR’s Georgine Yorgey and Allie Higginbotham visited the Qualco Digester and Werkhoven Dairy with the Washington State Dairy Federation. 🐄⚡ The digester turns manure into methane to power a generator that produces electricity for Snohomish PUD. #WasteToFuels #RenewableEnergy #WSU
Generator occupies large indoor space.Dairy calf looks out of enclosure.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
🎥WSU’s Chad Kruger joined Fox News Seattle to talk about how solar panels and farms could share land. Chad appears ~13:52: 🔗 www.fox13seattle.com/video/1736991 #Agrivoltaics #CleanEnergy #FutureOfFarming #WSU
Screenshot of Fox news anchor at left and Chad at right.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Take the guesswork out of grazing. Our meetups teach you how to use StockSmart, a free online tool. Bring your questions and find out how others are putting the data to work. 🗓 First Wednesdays , 10–11 a.m. PT 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/stocksmart #Rangelands #Ranching #StockSmart #WSU
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Participants from across WA and beyond are building piles, learning from CSANR’s Doug Collins and other experts, and touring sites like Silver Springs Organics at the Compost Facility Operator Training with WSU and WORC. #HotCompost #WSU
Two participants share a laugh.Speaker with microphone and safety vest in a compost facility.Two participants smile in front of a white barn.Participants in class look at a laptop and their notes.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Rangelands field trip > spreadsheet Last week, students, postdocs, faculty, and staff from SEAS⁺ and CSANR saw the system behind the models. Swipe to see the view. #KnowYourGrasses #Rangelands #WSU
SEAS+ lab members making bouquets from dry rangeland flora.Curious black and brown beef cattle.Rangelands expert Tip Hudson describes grass to researchers.Brush and grass in eastern WA rangelands.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
What happens when kids shop for their own produce? 🥕🍎 Researchers Annie Salafsky & Amanda Musser created a Youth Farmers Market with BIOAg funding—students chose local veggies over sweets! 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/youth-farmer... #FarmToSchool #LocalFood #WSU
Sign on board in front of school gym says Youth Farmers Market 2024.Kid adds fresh produce to bag.Kid inspects inside of fresh red bell pepper.Kid peruses fresh produce in baskets on table with black WSU logo tablecloth inside school gym.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Get CSANR’s latest news and insights. Subscribe to News & Perspectives: 🔗 bit.ly/CSANRnewslet... #OnceMonthlyAtMost #WSU
Montage of recent and upcoming editions of CSANR e-newsletter, featuring stories about BIOAg projects, gardening books, and a call for proposals.
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WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources @wsucsanr.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
🪰Why hesitate on IPM? WSU PhD student Molly Sayles studies how people—not just insects—shape pear psylla management in Wenatchee Valley orchards. 🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/why-growers-... #WSU #NeighborEffect #Wenatchee
📸 Molly Sayles presents on IPM at the WSU Tree Fruit Extension Field Day, Sunrise Research Orchard (Photo: Scott Weybright).
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