CAHNRS > News > Dean Raj Khosla Blog > Seeing is believing: The power of land-grant engagement

Seeing is believing: The power of land-grant engagement

A group photo of visitors to a science exhibit. Standing are a woman in a gray shirt, a woman in a Washington State University shirt, a man in a crimson sports shirt, a man in a dark sports coat, a man in a WSU letterman's style jacket, and a woman in a crimson jacket. Exhibits behind them read AgWeather and Besting the Pest
From left, Ines Hanrahan, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Executive Director; Associate Dean Nancy Deringer; Professor Lav Khot;
Dean Raj Khosla; Provost Chris Riley-Tillman; and WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell visit the WSU exhibit at the Washington State Fair.

To gain the truest understanding of our mission in CAHNRS, nothing beats being there in person. The power of the land-grant mission is best experienced not in reports or presentations, but in the classrooms, research centers, farms, communities, and businesses where our faculty, staff, students, and partners are making a difference every day. That is exactly what the college leadership team has been doing recently, both in Pullman and during an extended nine-day visit to western Washington.

At WSU Vancouver, accompanied by Associate Deans Sieg Snapp, Vicki McCracken, and Nancy Deringer, Director of Strategic Initiatives Krissi Hewitt, Department of Human Development Chair Kory Floyd, and Extension Associate Director Mike Gaffney, I had the opportunity to learn about the impactful work taking place in the Department of Human Development, the School of Economic Sciences, and the School of the Environment.

I was quite impressed as Prevention Science students shared their backgrounds, areas of work, and why they chose this interdisciplinary program. Another highlight was our session with Amy Salazar, associate professor in human development, who discussed her groundbreaking research on foster care and an annual exchange with Japan. We also met Christine Portfors, associate vice president and vice provost for academic and student affairs. These visits were invaluable reminders of the talent and dedication that define WSU.

The 78th Street Heritage Farm in Clark County is a hidden gem of CAHNRS and a remarkable example of our land-grant mission at work. Once a county poor farm, this 79-acre property has become a vibrant hub for Extension and community engagement. By creating new economic opportunities through shiitake mushroom production, faculty are fostering new lines of low-investment economic support for local farmers. A volunteer-run three-day plant sale recently brought in over $120,000 to support local programs and people. The faculty and master gardener volunteers at Heritage Farm demonstrate how innovation and service can strengthen communities.

A group photo at a civic proclamation ceremony. From left are a woman in a white blouse; a woman in a crimson sports coat; a man in a teal button-down shirt, holding a document folder with a man in a dark sports coat; a man in a light gray sports coat; a man in a sports coat and light blue shirt; and a man in a white shirt and crimson tie. A wall seal behind them reads City of Puyallup.
Helping proclaim Puyallup Research and Extension Center Appreciation Week are State Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, Councilmember Lauren Adler, Puyallup Mayor Ned Witting, Dean Raj Khosla, Provost Chris Riley-Tillman, Councilmember Jim Kastama, and Puyallup REC Director Todd Murray.

That same spirit was evident at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, which has served Washington communities since 1894. The City of Puyallup’s proclamation of September 21-26 as WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center Appreciation Week reflects the deep and enduring partnership between WSU and the people we serve. Joining Provost Chris Riley-Tillman, REC Director Todd Murray, city leaders, and community partners for the celebration was both humbling and inspiring. It was clear that Puyallup truly values our partnership.

A group photo of people standing near mature fruit trees with a tractor behind them. From left are a man in a gray sports coat; a woman in a light colored jacket and sunglasses; a man in a dark sports coat; a man in a black jacket and WSU cap; a man in a jean jacket; a man in a black jacket and Marines cap; a woman in a gray vest and flannel shirt; a woman in a black jacket; and a man in a dark blue shirt and black jacket.
Learning about Washington’s nursery and ornamental horticulture industry, Dean Raj Khosla joins members of the Washington State Nursery and Landscaping Association, Briggs Nursery, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and CAHNRS at Elma, Washington. 

The reach of CAHNRS was also on full display at Taste of the State in Seattle, attended by President Elizabeth Cantwell and Provost Chris Riley-Tillman. From honey and apples to cheese and ice cream, our products showcased the science, innovation, and expertise behind the food systems that sustain us all. Food connects everyone, and it provides a powerful opportunity to share the story of how research, education, and partnership improve lives.

A man in a dark suit coat smiles as a group of men and women stand near a large bin of crabs. One man is holding open the bin's lid as others look on, talk, and smile. 
Raj Khosla, CAHNRS Dean, learned about the Washington shellfish industry during tours at Long Beach, Washington.

Throughout our travels, we strengthened relationships with important partners, including the Washington Research Foundation and Ranveer Chandra, Microsoft’s vice president of frontier tuning and chief technology officer for agri-food. We also celebrated philanthropy at WSU’s inaugural Crimson Celebration, recognizing supporters such as the McCluskey family, who earned the distinguished status of WSU Benefactors for their personal contributions and whose generosity continues to create opportunities for future generations.

Inside a polymer hoop house with pallets of young plants, a man in a dark sports coat watches as a man in a denim jacket gestures while holds a clipboard. 
Dan Meier of Briggs Nursery takes Raj Khosla, CAHNRS Dean, on a tour of hoophouses at his Elma, Washington, operation.

Our visits to cranberry growers in Long Beach, shellfish producers along Willapa Bay, and industry leaders at Briggs Nursery, along with the leadership of the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, underlined the importance of continued education and research, and the importance of maintaining strong connections with Washington’s agricultural and natural resource sectors. These partnerships are essential to advancing research, supporting industry innovation, and ensuring that WSU remains responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. I am thankful for the Briggs family’s support of student scholarships and their work delivering clean, virus-free plants.

A man in a blue sport coat and light blue shirt stands with a woman in a light-colored jacket, holding small berries in their hands, as they stand in a sunken field. Behind them are several men and women, standing on a higher shelf of land near a maroon van. Farm buildings, a field, and trees are in the distance.
Visiting with cranberry producers at Long Beach, Washington, Raj Khosla, CAHNRS Dean, toured production areas and learned how this crop is grown. 

Another highlight was the opening of the WSU exhibit at the Washington State Fair. I joined WSU leadership, WSDA Director Derek Sandison, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Executive Director Ines Hanrahan, Professor Lav Khot, and other leaders to celebrate a showcase of WSU impacts across tree fruit, dairy and animal science, natural resources, AgWeatherNet, the Composite Materials and Engineering Center, and the School of the Environment. This amazing creation inspired discussion of future displays at SeaTac or downtown Seattle.

A man in a crimson sports shirt with a WSU logo looks on as a man in a sports coat points and reaches for a wall-mounted apple in a room containing several museum-style exhibits. They stand next to an exhibit set up as a trellis supporting apple branches and fruits.
Professor Lav Khot and CAHNRS Dean Raj Khosla inspect Washington State Fair exhibits showing WSU’s contributions to Washington state agriculture on the fair’s opening day, September 4.

Back on campus, we completed listening sessions with each of the five units involved in creating a new school within CAHNRS, including a recent meeting with colleagues in the Department of Horticulture. We will share more at the upcoming CAHNRS Town Hall, 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, at Johnson Annex C107. Please prioritize being present!

We also launched a search for the next director of the School of the Environment (SOE), and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with nearly every SOE faculty member during their recent retreat.

A man in gray suit and crimson plaid tie smiles as he speaks with a group of people seated facing him at a table. Behind him are screens reading "Welcome & Vision for a Land Grant University. Dr. Raj Khosla Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean, CAHNRS Dr. Sieglinde Snapp Associate Dean for Research, CAHNRS AgForestry Leadership"
Raj Khosla, CAHNRS Dean, speaks on leadership style and mentorship with members of the 46th class of Washington’s AgForestry Leadership Program at Pullman.

I was equally honored to speak with the 46th cohort of the AgForestry Leadership Program on September 10 about leadership, vision, mentorship, and service. Programs like AgForestry play a vital role in preparing the next generation of leaders in the agriculture, forestry, natural resources, and related industries.

Finally, what an outstanding start to the academic year we had at our Fall Festival. Spillman Plaza was energized by the enthusiasm of our students as we awarded scholarships, celebrated student organizations, and welcomed new opportunities for engagement. I visited every club present and learned about cross-campus organizations. Shout-out to the members of the Horticulture Club, who expressed interest in contributing to our new Farm to Table initiative. Fall Fest is a gateway to student involvement in CAHNRS, and a very memorable start to the academic year.

Butch T. Cougar, the WSU mascot, in a 12 jersey, gives a thumbs up as a woman in an orange dress and white headband holds up a scholarship certificate that reads Congratulations. Standing to her left is a smiling man in a white button-down shirt, crimson tie, and gray apron.
Butch T. Cougar and CAHNRS Dean Raj Khosla celebrate Fall Festival scholarship winner Carlee Moore, one of eight undergraduates and graduate students to win $500 scholarships at the event.
A female student facing away from the camera, a man in a white shirt, crimson tie, and apron, mascot Butch T. Cougar, and a man in a Hawaiian shirt and nametag exchange fist bumps near outdoor tables.
Raj Khosla, CAHNRS Dean, bumps fists with Rich Giles, Butch T. Cougar, and a participant at a Human Development booth at Fall Festival, September 10.

As I reflect on these experiences, one message stands out clearly: Seeing truly is believing. Across Washington, I witnessed the extraordinary impact of our students, faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni, and partners. Their work embodies the very best of the land-grant mission, creating knowledge, expanding opportunity, and improving lives. It leaves me deeply grateful for the people who make CAHNRS exceptional, and optimistic about all we will accomplish together in the months and years ahead.

Kudos Corner

Over a dozen CAHNRS scientists and students, including Jake Blauer, Lee Kalcsits, Mark Pavek, Kate Evans, Matt Whiting, Stefano Musacchi, Carolina Torres, Sindhuja Sankaran, Kirti Rajagopalan, Bernardita Sallato, Lisa Wasko DeVetter, Micah Evalt, Claire Winslow and others engaged with global colleagues at the International Horticultural Congress, held August 23-28 in Kyoto, Japan.

Winslow delivered an invited seminar on new pest management strategies in blueberries, while Evalt presented graduate research on new crop improvement tools for berries, served as an oral presentation judge, and received the U.P. Hedrick Award for best student review paper.

Zoe Andersen, IAREC-based doctoral student in the School of Food Science under the mentorship of Claire Murphy, received a Student Travel Scholarship to attend the 2026 International Association for Food Protection Conference in New Orleans. She was recognized during the conference in July, an honor that highlights her hard work, scholarly achievements, and dedication to research excellence.

Meijun Zhu, professor in the School of Food Science, showcased her research group’s innovative work examining the interactions among dietary bioactive compounds, gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier function in a presentation in Brazil.

Edmund Larbi Afari and Paul Olaoluwaniyi Dahunsi, doctoral students in Zhu’s laboratory, won, respectively, the 2025-2026 CAHNRS Graduate Student Leadership Award for exemplary leadership and contributions; and the 2026 IFT Feeding Tomorrow Fund Travel Scholarship, which provides valuable opportunities to engage with food science professionals and explore emerging research.

Until next time, Go Cougs!

Sincerely,

Raj