This week included my last Board of Natural Resources (BNR) meeting. It had one of the shorter agendas, with only two timber sales and four land transactions up for discussion. None of the topics were as controversial as the Thorpe Road land exchange just south of Spokane on U.S. 195. Perhaps the board is in for quieter times. I understand that the last three years have been some of the more controversial and contested of the last two decades. My first BNR meeting started with protesters and, until the last couple of months, escalated from there.
I spent time at the Wheat College in Ritzville this week. It was a good chance to connect with some of our CAHNRS partners. I don’t anticipate putting into practice what I learned during my half day at the college, but you never know. I’ve learned a lot about Palouse grains over the last few years, and I can continue to use that knowledge to advocate for agriculture broadly without needing to plant anything.
Thursday is PIE DAY. I capitalize it because that is how it appears on my calendar. Someone is very excited to put a pie in my face, in recognition of increasing our CAHNRS TikTok followers. We are up over 1,000 followers, thanks to Emily Libey! I have been assured there will be no coconut in the pies. I hope to see my associate dean colleagues getting “pied,” too!
In past years, June meant alumni reunion celebrations. We (WSU) don’t seem to be doing that this year. Hopefully our alumni find plenty of local activities or can participate in events planned for WSU Pullman this fall. It is always nice to see graduates from many years ago reconnect with each other and hear about their memories. Things have changed from what they recall, including the name of the college, department names, and the configuration of majors, buildings, and hangouts. Change is necessary but doesn’t detract from the memories.
Thanks to those who turned out last week for the CAHNRS Going Away Potluck. It was nice to see everyone, if only briefly and from across the room! Enjoy the week and consider connecting over the weekend with some of your friends from the past.