WSU CAHNRS

With National Science Foundation award, WSU crop scientist harnesses AI to identify higher-yielding wheat Using the power of artificial intelligence to process vast amounts of complex data, scientists in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences aim to speed up the breeding of higher-yielding wheat crops.

As part of a new @NSF initiative bridging AI & agriculture, #WSU scientists will use the power of #ArtificialIntelligence to process vast amounts of complex data & help speed up the breeding of higher-yielding wheat crops. #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/with...

INW gardening experts share tips, give outlook As the sun starts to shine and the ground thaws, many celebrate spring by shopping at plant nurseries, digging through soil, ripping up weeds, and nurturing the new growing season’s fragrant flowers a...

Elevating your mood, getting exercise, growing your own produce: these are just a few of the great benefits that come from gardening, according to #WSU Extension Urban Horticulture Coordinator Tim Kohlhauff of Spokane County.
www.spokanejournal.com/articles/180...

Tariffs on TikTok: WSU economist takes education to social media When economic news like the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs breaks, Chris Clarke uses social media to help the general public understand what’s really happening.

#WSU economist Chris Clarke excels at explaining complex economic concepts in ways general audiences can understand. Last week he created TikToks explaining tariffs that were aimed at normal viewers. We love these non-classroom educational opportunities. #GoCougs news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

Championing programs, partnerships, and no-longer-hidden gems Over the past three decades of my career in higher education, I have had opportunities to visit over forty land-grant institutions across our country. And yet, the CAHNRS departments I  visited over t...

Dean Khosla writes about this year's tenured & promoted faculty, visits to multiple CAHNRS departments & units, the long history of #WSU w/USDA ARS, our recent Town Hall, & much more in his latest blog post. Click & subscribe! #GoCougs cahnrs.wsu.edu/championing-...

Inside a Grass Seed Cleaning Facility Landscaper Lee Gilliam travels to Washington state to see where most Kentucky bluegrass seed comes from. He talks to a grass breeder, and the researcher then tours a seed-cleaning facility.

#WSU turfgrass specialist & professor Michael Neff helped show Ask This Old House host Lee Gilliam where grass seed comes from & how it gets from fields to store shelves. Watch this fun, short explainer video from the PBS series. #GoCougs www.thisoldhouse.com/lawns/inside...

Bees on the brink WSU scientists are fighting to save honey bees from multiple threats.

WSU takes a holistic approach to addressing colony collapse & helping bees.
“We are tackling it all.” -#WSU prof. Priya Basu.
This is an overview & video of the work the WSU bee program is doing to save the bees. #GoCougs news.wsu.edu/2026/01/28/b...

Two people crouch next to a lamb. One person in scrubs with a stethoscope collects vitals.

@wsuvetmed.bsky.social students will teach at the upcoming 4-H Livestock Nutrition & Health Workshop at #WSU Extension Colville Reservation on Sun., March 8. Open to youth & families. #GoCougs
Contact the Colville Reservation Extension office w/ questions: extension.wsu.edu/colville-res....

WSU plant pathologist awarded professional society medal WSU plant pathologist Lindsey du Toit was recently recognized for her global contributions to the field with a prestigious medal from the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology.

Enjoy strawberries in January? Thank a plant pathologist! #WSU has a great one in Lindsey du Toit, who recently received the Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Medal, the highest honor of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology. #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...

Pinpoint forecasting among the tools WSU brings to agriculture As more and more farm-level data becomes available, the ability to use AI tools for forecasting yields, weather, pests and other factors improves.

#WSU's AgWeatherNet uses machine learning to power tools that help growers predict wheat yields, anticipate pest problems, protect against frost & high heat, schedule irrigation, & more. AWN is using AI to mine data to help growers make better management decisions. news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

16 faculty earn tenure and promotion in 2026 Congratulations to the 16 faculty members who earned tenure and/or promotion this year!

HUGE congratulations to the 16 faculty members of our college who earned tenure and/or promotion this year! Thank you for your impactful science, vital teaching, & all of the hard work it takes to earn this milestone achievement. #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/16-f...

Reading this reminded us of this story we wrote about Kenny & his PhD research project almost exactly 11 years ago. We love seeing people using their education in their profession! #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/how-...

Bubbles Aren’t Just for the Holidays Washington State University alumni Kenny and Allison McMahon make sparkling wine at Oregon’s Arabilis Wines.

#WSU alum & winemaker Kenny McMahon says bubbly wines “don’t always have to be pegged for a celebration. They can be on the dinner table for the main event at the holidays⁠—or on a random Tuesday night.” Cool story from @wastatemagazine.bsky.social. #GoCougs magazine.wsu.edu/2026/01/30/b...

WSU turfgrass professor and area farmer make national ‘Ask This Old House’ appearance Prof. Michael Neff to appear on the PBS show Ask This Old House talking about grass seed production

Our scientists love to share their expertise. On the next episode of Ask This Old House on PBS, Michael Neff, our resident turfgrass expert, talks about grass seed production & why the #PNW is so important for everyone's lawns. #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...

WSU, partners celebrate 20-year collaboration focused on transforming waste into energy For nearly 20 years, Washington's Waste to Fuels Technology partnership has been finding ways to turn waste products into usable energy.

Turning waste from food, yard trimmings, & other living organisms into usable nutrients, energy, & fuels is an evolving necessity. #WSU has worked w/@ecology.wa.gov for ~20 years on the Waste to Energy Technology partnership & help our state. @wsucsanr.bsky.social news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...

Automating the harvest: WSU works to ease labor shortages on the farm Robotic solutions for pruning, harvesting and other orchard tasks are being developed by researchers to help address agricultural challenges.

Lav Khot, a prof. of ag automation, envisions a day when many of agriculture's human challenges are relieved by AI-assisted technology — systems that combine information about weather, soil, plant performance & growing conditions to help growers make decisions. #GoCougs news.wsu.edu/news/2026/02...

2 people stand in front of a room, one talking and the other watching.

2 people shake hands while 2 others stand nearby.

2 people stand in front of a room, one talking and the other watching.

3 people standing, one is pointing and holding a t-shirt.

Enrique Cerna, vice chair of the #WSU Board of Regents, was invited by our MANRRS chapter for an informal gathering of pizza & conversation last night. He shared his story & talked about his passion for WSU, the importance of mentoring, & more. Thank you Regent Cerna! #GoCougs

Image of Dean Khosla over a graphic that says CAHNRS 100 Day Update.

Dean Khosla recently marked his 100th working day as the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of our college. Here are his reflections on a few meaningful milestones from this early chapter in his tenure leading CAHNRS. #GoCougs email.cahnrs.wsu.edu/html/cahnrs-...

The comeback of Luxe Magazine, WSU’s fashion publication In the sea of black puffer coats, Birkenstock mules and various shades of grey and white sweatpants, winter on campus is far from a haute couture fashion show. While WSU students may not grace the cov...

#WSU's Luxe Magazine is a student-run fashion publication that is part of our Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, & Textiles. The Daily Evergreen wrote a great story about the students behind this fashionable online magazine. #GoCougs dailyevergreen.com/194601/life/...

CAHNRS at work across Washington Over the last two weeks, I traveled across Washington and experienced firsthand the amazing work taking place throughout our college.

Dean Khosla writes about attending the Systemwide Redesign workshop, meeting w/state legislators in Olympia, talking with folks at & touring several CAHNRS departments & facilities, sending out kudos, & much more. Read & subscribe today! #GoCougs cahnrs.wsu.edu/cahnrs-at-wo...

2 people stand behind a table. One holds several green apples in her hands.

1 person stands talking to a person sitting across a table.

2 people stand on one side of a table talking to a third person across that table.

4 people stand in a hallway talking.

Several organizations shared career & involvement opportunities for students earlier this week at our CAHNRS Involvement & Networking Night. It was great seeing so many people there!
More pics: www.flickr.com/photos/cahnr...
#GoCougs

New Indigenous-focused horticulturist brings traditional ecological knowledge to light Exploring the connections between plants, cultures, and ecology, new CAHNRS scientist Jeffrey Wall's research supports Native, rural, and urban communities, farmers, and nature.

#WSU’s new Indigenous-focused horticulturist Jeffrey Wall has begun exploring how traditional practices from the state’s first peoples can help nourish societies & repair the environment. His research supports Native, rural, & urban communities, farmers, & nature. news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/new-...

Event flyer with pink hears all over. Words: Valentine’s Day Plant Sale! Tulips: $12.50 each 6.5 inch pot. Combination planters with hyacinths and primroses: $20 each. Primroses: $3 each 4.5 inch pot. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 12 and 13 in the greenhouses by Ferdinands. Come and support the WSU Horticulture Club.

Planter with purple and red primroses and purple and pink hyacinths in it.

Wide shots with dozens of brightly colored flowers in plastic pots.

Yellow-petaled tulips in foreground and yellow and white tulips in the background.

Looking for a lovely #ValentinesDay gift that also helps #WSU students? The WSU Horticulture Club is selling beautiful tulips, hyacinths, & primroses Feb. 12 & 13 from 10 am - 3 pm. So pretty!
#GoCougs

2 people in blue FFA jackets, both that say Washington Ephrata on the back, talk to another person who is wearing WSU clothing.

3 people on one side of a table, 2 wearing blue FFA jackets that say Davenport on them, talk to 2 people on the other side of the table. The table has a sign that says Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

2 people hold hands, one pair of hands high and the other low in a diamond shape. A third person is in the middle of the diamond.

2 people in blue FFA jackets talk to another person across a table. The third person is wearing WSU clothing. The table has a sign that says Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

We had a great time at the #SpokaneAgShow this week! We especially enjoyed talking with so many FFA students & #WSU alumni. Can't wait for next year!
More pics in this album: www.flickr.com/photos/cahnr... #GoCougs

Hug your boo: More affection — not equal amounts — strengthens romantic ties New research finds that the more affection in a relationship, the better — even if that affection is imbalanced

Concerned one partner is more affectionate than the other in a relationship? Don't worry, #WSU research finds that more affection in romantic relationships, even if one-sided, correlates to stronger bonds than similar levels of affection. #HoorayForHugs #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/hug-...

Why do dairy cows produce so much milk compared to beef cows? Dear Kristen, This answer is fueled by coffee with a splash of milk from a dairy cow. I asked my friend Kimberly Davenport why my morning milk doesn’t come from a beef cow. She’s an expert in cow gene...

Why do dairy cows produce so much milk compared to beef cows? A great question from 6-year-old Kristen & answer from #WSU cow genetics expert Kimberly Davenport. @askdruniverse.bsky.social stories are always so informative & we loved this one. #GoCougs askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2026/01/29/d...

WSU Extension team helps Washington home builders navigate energy code Because a homebuilder's error can result in a health problem, lawsuit, or expensive retrofit, building to code is critical. The Residential Energy Codes Team in the WSU Energy Program helps anyone bui...

@wsuextension.bsky.social specialists provide statewide education & assistance to translate Washington’s residential energy code code into action. Since 2024, the #WSUEnergy Program has fielded > 4,000 questions & delivered dozens of outreach trainings. #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...

Why do dairy cows produce so much milk compared to beef cows? Dear Kristen, This answer is fueled by coffee with a splash of milk from a dairy cow. I asked my friend Kimberly Davenport why my morning milk doesn’t come from a beef cow. She’s an expert in cow gene...

Got milk? 🥛 Animal genomics expert Kimberly Davenport of
@wsucahnrs.bsky.social says dairy cows are genetically moo-tivated to produce it, unlike beef cows 🐄 askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2026/01/29/d... #GoCougs #STEMeducation @pullman.wsu.edu

Feb. 7 Winter School to educate forest owners of all levels of experience Forest landowners in eastern Washington can learn how to enhance and benefit from their properties in the upcoming Forest Owners Winter School.

The #WSU Forestry Extension Program provides the latest tools & knowledge to better manage forests. They host the annual Forest Owners Winter School to help forest landowners in E. Wash. enhance & benefit from their properties. #GoCougs @wsuextension.bsky.social news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/feb-...

Shining spotlights on our talents, priorities, and opportunities As we advance through the spring semester, which is in full swing, the last two weeks have been filled with inspiring conversations and visits that highlight the incredible talent within our college, ...

Dean Khosla writes about visiting w/stakeholders, the college budget & priorities, meeting w/departments in the college, hands out kudos, & more in his latest blog post. Check it out & subscribe today! #GoCougs cahnrs.wsu.edu/shining-spot...

A season of recognition for WSU’s longest-serving Extension specialist In the same year she marked 55 years with WSU Extension, longtime educator Margaret Viebrock also earned national and state awards recognizing her professional work.

Margaret Viebrock started working for @wsuextension.bsky.social in 1970. Nearly 56 years later, this #WSU institution is still doing award-winning work that helps people in our state. Thank you for your many decades of dedication & effort Margaret! #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/a-se...