Wow! That was my reaction to hearing our newest CAHNRS faculty introduce themselves with a brief background during the New Faculty Orientation last week. Their accomplishments, ranging from education to prior careers, are truly impressive. Interacting with these new faculty left me energized and excited for our new talent.
Last week ended with a good visit to Bellingham, Wash., followed by the Auction of Washington Wines Gala Saturday evening. Auctions and my competitiveness don’t always make for a good pairing, but I managed to keep my bidding in check. It helped that starting bids were more than I spent on my first house. Upon […]
Thanks to Jeb Sheldon, a recent AgTM graduate, Ignite scholar, and employee of Northern Oyster Co., I know more about the oyster business than ever and have a strong appreciation for the challenges posed by burrowing shrimp and green crabs. Last week’s trip to the Long Beach Research and Extension Unit was great. I enjoyed meeting Laura Kraft, who is just under a year in her position as a cranberry and shellfish Extension specialist, as well as a couple of WSU Extension retirees.
We had a few beautiful days in Pullman before the heat returned. No complaints though, as it will cool off soon enough. Congratulations to Doug Walsh, who was recently inducted as a fellow of the Entomological Society of America. Congratulations, also, to Kristen Johnson, who was recently inducted as an American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) […]
Groundbreaking on the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) building is less than a week away! The planning team, which includes many from WSU, CAHNRS, USDA ARS, and the Washington Grain Commission, is working hard to accommodate hundreds of guests. If you find your customary driving or walking route interrupted on Tuesday, Aug. 1, please be […]
We had good visits in Washington, D.C., last week with our commodity group and agency partners (the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Conservation Commission). Thanks to Derek Sandison, Chris Voigt, Kristina Kelley, Mary Palmer Sullivan, Michelle Hennings, Marcie Green, Mark Powers, Kirk Robinson, and Gil Crosby for joining us! We were […]
Vacation’s over. I have racoon eyes from sunglasses, my shoulders are a bit sore from kayaking, and I am covered head to toe in “no-see-um” bites. It was great to spend extended time with family in Virginia. By all measures it was a success, despite the heat and humidity. I can’t wait to do it […]
Last week was full of opportunities to see firsthand how CAHNRS faculty and staff are building a more resilient Washington. Throughout the latter part of the week and into the weekend, our programs and people were recognized for their important contributions. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Western Region Joint Summer Meeting awards ceremony showcased […]
I hope everyone enjoyed the Juneteenth holiday weekend. The weather certainly did not make it feel like mid-June, but that did not affect the time I spent reflecting on the feelings I had around this time in 2020, following the murder of George Floyd. The real change I hoped for then has yet to manifest, […]
Last weekend’s Master Gardener Program 50th anniversary celebration at the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) went off without a hitch! The weather was perfect, the displays from master gardener groups in Chelan, Douglas, and nearby counties, the TFREC program exhibits, and the children’s area were all busy with visitors. Despite his short […]
