This fall, my travels across the Pacific Northwest have highlighted a powerful truth: Partnerships are the lifeblood of the land-grant mission. In just the last two weeks, I have stood alongside wheat growers at Lake Coeur d’Alene, beekeepers at Othello, fruit growers at Yakima, and leaders of Washington agriculture at large in the Cascades. At every stop, I’ve seen firsthand the collaborations that make our shared success possible. Today, let’s honor those partnerships and commit to creating even more of them.
It was an honor to speak to more than 250 grain industry members at the Washington Association of Wheat Growers Convention, held November 17-19 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. One thing that stood out for me was the growers’ eagerness to partner with WSU and CAHNRS. After my remarks, many people approached me; they were excited to connect and collaborate in advancing our land-grant mission.
From there I traveled to Yakima, Washington, where I met with members of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and the Endowment Advisory Committee, who guide the research and Extension efforts supported by the historic, $32 million Tree Fruit Endowment. Currently, five industry-endowed chairs are driving innovation across critical areas: from pests and diseases to tree training and management, postharvest science, and environmental impacts. The search for a sixth chair in soil sciences is underway, strengthening our commitment to the future of tree fruit.
On November 20, I shared a meal at Ritzville, Washington, with Washington Senator Mark Schoesler, a fifth-generation dryland wheat farmer and steadfast advocate for Washington agriculture, alongside Chris Mulick, WSU senior director of state relations. Senator Schoesler has been an incredible partner and champion of CAHNRS and WSU. His leadership and commitment have strengthened our voice in the state legislature and kept our work relevant to the needs of Washington.
I was in awe during my day-long visit November 21 to the WSU Honey Bee and Pollinator Research, Extension, and Education Facility, where I met bee research donors as well as talented faculty, staff, and students. The WSU bee program has played a crucial role in testing two out of the three most recent EPA-registered pesticides that can be used to protect honey bees from devastating pests. Great partnerships are happening at Othello thanks to donors and funders like APIX Biosciences, which has provided nearly $1 million over the past four years to support Brandon Hopkins’ research on the impact of pollen feeding on colony health.
I was impressed by WSU Education and Outreach Coordinator Bri Price, who in 2025 reached more than 13,000 people across the state through 109 events, including 15 workshops and webinars. That’s an incredible example of the kind of reach that CAHNRS can achieve. Advancing cross-disciplinary education, Rae Olsson is partnering with the WSU College of Arts and Sciences to offer a new entomology course aimed at criminal justice majors. And at the bridge of entomology and health, our own Ally Martin Ewert is only the second WSU postdoctoral fellow outside the health sciences to be funded by the Washington Research Foundation.
Finally, on November 24, I took part in the Ag Summit at Snoqualmie Pass, joining leaders from a broad swath of key agricultural commodities in Washington—from tree fruit and grains to potatoes, wine, and dairy. A strong WSU contingent, including Provost T. Chris Riley-Tillman, College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dori Borjesson, and WSU Vice President for External Affairs and Government Relations Glynda Becker Fenter, shared updates on agricultural research and outreach at WSU. I learned that water is an important priority for our state. It’s an area where we need to assess what we are doing and where we can better meet growers’ expectations.
We have wrapped up the third and final candidate interview for the associate dean for research position and are now checking references. I look forward to seeing the search committee’s recommendation in filling this important role.
I sincerely appreciate all the support and kindness you have shown me over the last few days. This past weekend, I received the sad news of my mother’s passing. I am with my family during this time of loss and healing. As a result, the upcoming CAHNRS Town Hall scheduled for Friday, December 5, will be postponed. Please rest assured that we will find a suitable time early next year to hold this important conversation. Thank you again for your understanding and continued support.
Remember, the CAHNRS Winter Party will be held Thursday, December 11, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Ensminger Pavilion in Pullman. A big thank you to the volunteers putting together this event. You are welcome to bring a dessert for our cakewalk and potluck. Donations will be accepted at the party for deserving local families. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues, share in the spirit of the season, and celebrate the incredible work we do together.
Until next time, Go Cougs!
Sincerely,
Raj