Wheat field.

CAHNRS Research

CAHNRS is a leading driver of research at WSU, contributing to more than one third of the university’s external funding budget.
85.6 Million in extramural funding in 2022
4 Research & Extension centers
18 Subject matter centers

Our mission in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is to improve quality of life for the people of Washington state and the world.

Research in the college helps feed the world, breed better tasting and more nutritious crops, fight climate change, find new and innovative ways to upcycle and recycle existing products, and supports all people.

Our expertise informs economic and public policies, uses data to develop resilient crops, analyzes the biology of plants and animals, and so much more.

two hands holding potatoes over dirt ground

CAHNRS is the Largest
Research Unit at WSU

CAHNRS is a leading driver of research at WSU, contributing to more than one third of the university’s external funding budget. CAHNRS research and Extension faculty brings in just under $90 million annually from competitive extramural funding sources, including federal agencies, Washington State commodity commissions, and other nonfederal agency grants.

We contribute to a sustainable future through the powerful combination of both discovery and translational research. That means we make important scientific discoveries, but also work with people who can put those breakthroughs into practice to help farmers and growers, textile designers, people who work with children and adolescents, and many more areas.

We discover, develop, and transfer knowledge that: contributes to a safe and abundant food supply; promotes sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; supports energy innovations; encourages careful stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems; and enhances the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Research at CAHNRS is as diverse as the communities, families, businesses, agriculture systems, natural resources, and landscapes of the state of Washington.

Edwin Gianini presenting research poster at SURCA.

Student Research Opportunities

Undergraduate and graduate students in all degree programs participate in a broad variety of research activities. CAHNRS provides a variety of research awards to support mentored student research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Undergraduate students work in many labs across our college, learning first-hand how science is done. They conduct experiments, create new materials, work with subjects on research projects, and much more.

Graduate students receive the training they need to be leaders in academic or industry careers. They oversee experiments, help write published papers and funding requests, and learn how to teach courses in their fields.

Research & Extension Centers

CAHNRS has four Research and Extension Centers (RECs) spread around Washington, each specializing in the needs of regional agriculture.

Research Farms and Centers

In addition to the RECs, CAHNRS operates research farms and centers around Washington, including: