WSU Extension

New this fall! Washington Green School launches its first-ever online gardening course. Based on the science- & research-based #WSU Master Gardener curriculum, over 20 weeks you’ll explore 28 topics from botany to soil health. 🧵 #GoCougs
greenschool.extension.wsu.edu/home/grow-wi...

Grayland cranberry grower Nick Wood (center) helping to refill the fertilizer and battery on the drone that he was demonstrating for growers at the field day. Three people service a very large drone. Trees and fog in background.

Alex Gregory, OceanSpray AgScientist, giving a talk on fertilizer treatments. He talks into a mic in front of a PowerPoint slide showing fertilizer treatment information.

Two informational signs posted in a cranberry field at Washington State University’s Long Beach Research Unit. The top sign explains ongoing research to manage cranberry tipworm, a tiny fly that damages cranberry plants by laying eggs in plant tips. It includes a photo of tipworm damage and describes the negative effects on yield. The lower sign reads "Cranberry Research in Progress" and asks visitors not to enter the bog or remove flags. Colored flag markers are visible in the background, along with trees and vehicles in a foggy setting.

Last week, the #WSU Long Beach Research Unit hosted the 2025 Cranberry Field Day, bringing together growers, researchers, & Extension experts to talk bugs, bogs & better cranberry harvests. #GoCougs
Swipe through for a few highlights from the event!

Someone digs their trowel into dark soil, preparing a spot for the flowers they hold in their other hand.

Nurture your well-being this August for #NationalWellnessMonth with WSU Extension publications on health & wellness—from gardening guides that will motivate you to safe, tested recipes for canning & preserving your nutritious harvest. #GoCougs
pubs.extension.wsu.edu

Two people hold pom poms and a banner that reads "Made of Crimson" with the WSU cougar head logo above the words. Behind them is a sign that reads "CAHNRS Welcome Students! Student Success and Academic Programs."

We're #MadeofCrimson — built by hard work & rooted in passion!
In CAHNRS, learning goes beyond the classroom. We serve all people through research, academics, & Extension. We support healthy communities, sustain our economy & environment, & advance agriculture.
#GoCougs

Jam-packed with summer fruit? Don’t double that jelly recipe! It can throw off the texture, ruin the set, or even create food safety risks.
Stick to tested recipes from #WSU or UGA Cooperative Extension’s National Center for Home Food Preservation.
news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/podcasts/fsm...

ICYMI: “It’s been very satisfying to know that our research has enabled growers to improve their management programs… The difference that treatments have made has been night and day.”
–Gary Chastagner, #WSU emeritus, on outreach & a career improving peony disease management.

Close-up shot of blueberry clusters growing on branch.

Explore the latest blueberry cultivars & breeding research at the #WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Research & Extension Center’s (NWREC) Berry Field Day, supported by the WA Blueberry Commission 🫐.
📅 Wed., Aug. 6
🕝 2:30  - 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: WSU Mount Vernon NWREC
mtvernon.wsu.edu/event/wsu-be...

The Art of Range podcast banner showing silhouette of three different plant species.

New Art of Range podcast available! Land managers & stewards can learn about the upcoming 2025 Grazing Expo, which will include field days, research insights, & rancher peer-to-peer learning. #GoCougs
Tune in: artofrange.com/episodes/aor...

2 people stand on ladders looking up into a pear tree.

A person holds a tray covered with pieces of paper that are each different colors.

A person stands on a ladder reaching out into a pear tree for a piece of paper attached at the top.

A person stands next to a pear tree talking to a large group of people.

#WSU Tree Fruit Extension held their Pear Integrated Pest Management Field Day earlier this month. Industry members learned more about IPM application, reducing broad spectrum insecticide use, increased natural enemies & biological control, & better fruit quality. #GoCougs
@wsuextension.bsky.social

Youth beach cleanup inspires the next generation of environmental stewards - Lynnwood Times Kayak Point Park in Stanwood became a hub of environmental action as over 70 youth and volunteers gathered for a Youth Beach Cleanup

70+ youth & volunteers joined the #WSU Extension Beach Watchers & Snohomish County leaders for a July service day, hauling 151 lb of trash from the Puget Sound shore while learning about marine science & stewardship. #GoCougs
lynnwoodtimes.com/2025/07/12/y...

Unlocking forest secrets with trail cams A well-placed trail camera can capture more than surprising images of wildlife that share our forests—they can help landowners better know and manage their woodland.

Well-placed trail cameras can capture more than wildlife images—they can help landowners better know & manage their woodland.
@wsuextension.bsky.social Foresters & other experts hosted a seminar, now online, on the uses & benefits of trail cameras. #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/unlo...

Washington State, Long Beach, harvesting cranberries with the wet harvest method.

Cranberry growers in WA, OR & Canada: Join us July 31 for the 2025 Cranberry Summer Field Day (8:30am–2pm) for a full lineup of cranberry research updates from regional experts. #GoCougs
Learn more: events.cahnrs.wsu.edu/event/2025-c...

A single brown egg standing against a white background.

While backyard chickens can mean fresher eggs, they also come with food safety risks.
The latest Food Safety in a Minute podcast covers key recommendations before you start a flock of your own. #GoCougs
news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/podcasts/fsm...

WSU Extension’s Whidbey Gardening Workshop wins international community service award Island County Master Gardeners are proud to announce that their Whidbey Gardening Workshop has been awarded first place for community service in the David Gibby International Master Gardener Search fo...

Congrats to the #WSU Extension Island County Master Gardeners who were awarded first place in the David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards in the category of community service!🥇 #GoGougs
news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...

Darrin Morrison, Morrison Farms and Kim Matthews, Western Washington Agricultural Association chat while walking between presentations.

Sintayehu Daba, WSU Plant Pathology and Sanjaya Gyawali, Sakata Seed have a discussion while riding to the next presentation.

Diana Wisen, Skagit County Master Gardener, marvels at the health of the blueberry bushes.

Lindsey du Toit, WSU Plant Pathology Department Chair, Alfred Christianson Distinguished Professor of Vegetable Seed Pathology & Extension Plant Pathologist gives a presentation about Verticillium.

Mt. Vernon NWREC hosted its annual Field Day last week. Topics ranged from establishing tea production in WA to managing wilt in seed crops, sparking plenty of conversations between presentations.

#WSU #CropCurious #BringBackBuckwheat #PNWTea

New from WSU Extension: updated Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook, tools for acidic soils Aimed at Northwest gardeners and farmers, the newest publications from WSU Extension include a comprehensive handbook on Pacific Northwest gardens and a look at a new soil-improving calculator tool.

Do you have questions about gardening in the PNW? Wondering how to fix acidic soils w/ lime? Our latest publications address these & other topics ⬇️. #GoCougs
Most are free to download, so dive into our trove of #WSU Extension publications!
news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/new-...

A Washington State University Extension expert holds up a vial to show participants in the foreground. Fruit trees line the background.

WA tree fruit growers won’t want to miss the upcoming WSU-USDA Sunrise Research Farm Field Day! #GoCougs
Learn about the latest tree fruit research on topics like soil health, sunburn, X-disease, & more.
Thurs, July 24, Rock Island, WA. For more details: treefruit.wsu.edu/event/wsu-us...

A branch loaded with ripe Rainier cherries.

Happy National #RainierCherryDay!
If you’re growing or thinking of growing backyard cherries or other fruit trees, we have some great resources to help you out. Check out #WSU’s Backyard Fruit Trees website to get started.
treefruit.wsu.edu/backyard-fru...

Sunburn on apples, an update to #WSU's Decision Aid System, how to reduce doubling in cherries, upcoming events, & much more. Check out the latest Fruit Matters newsletter from our WSU Tree Fruit team of scientists. #GoCougs treefruit.wsu.edu/newsletter/f...

AgWest gift to enhance capacity at WSU’s new Plant Growth Facility Scientists at the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center received a new $500,000 pledge from AgWest Farm Credit supporting enhanced greenhouse and research capabilities.

A new $500,000 pledge from AgWest Farm Credit will support enhanced greenhouse & research capacity @ #WSU's Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center through the new Plant Growth Facility.
Thank you AgWest for your support! #GoCougs news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/agwe...

Close-up of sprinkler head spraying water. Plants are in the background out of focus.

As temps heat up, learn strategies for conserving water while maintaining a thriving home garden in this episode of “The Evergreen Thumb” podcast, brought to you by #WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers.
evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode051/

Raspberries are a great source of fiber & vitamin C & provide a source of several vital minerals. Did you know Washington State produces 60% of the nation’s red raspberry supply? On National #RaspberryDay, we're celebrating the work of the #WSU Small Fruits team. smallfruits.wsu.edu/raspberry/

Brown bowl of burgundy speckled Borlotti beans.

Kidney beans, navy beans, soldier beans: All kinds of different bean varieties exist for niche markets in the US. #NationalEatYourBeansDay
Great bean data on field trials at Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center: vegetables.wsu.edu/dry-bean-var...

WSU Kittitas County Extension Master Gardener volunteers smile at the camera while working on a firewise demonstration garden.

#WSU Extension Kittitas County Master Gardeners built a fire-resistant demo garden to help educate the community on #FireWise landscaping. #NationalWildlandFirefighterDay
As temps rise, reach out to your local Extension Master Gardeners for more suggestions: mastergardener.wsu.edu/priorities/2...

Two teens stand at a podium speaking during the Washington State 4-H Teen Conference. One holds a microphone and reads from a phone. The backdrop displays WSU and 4-H logos, with potted sunflowers on each side. Audience members are seated in the foreground.

Many depts @pullman.wsu.edu hosted tours & workshops for teens & volunteers last week during the annual WA State 4-H Teen Conference, helping to ensure an enriching experience for participants. A hearty Thank You to the faculty, staff, volunteers, & chaperones who made it a success! #GoCougs

A group of several people stand in a field speaking to each other.

A person stands at the edge of a field, holding a clipboard and gesturing while speaking. Next to the speaker is a large group of people.

Three people stand together in a canola field. A few other people are in the background.

A person stands in a field holding a clipboard, speaking to a large group of people.

Thanks to everyone who attended the
@wsuextension.bsky.social field day at the #WSU Wilke Farm! Topics included weed control, spring canola, peola production & winter wheat breeding. #GoCougs #agriculture

The results from WSU Grant County Extension’s onion research are as layered as the crop itself. #NationalOnionDay
Decades of studies & recent discoveries are publicly available. Plus, Extension specialists can help answer your onion questions.
extension.wsu.edu/grant/agricu...

Beneath an urban canopy A better urban experience is looking up, thanks to more trees.

Urban #trees help cities by reducing air pollution, filtering stormwater, & cooling the air by providing shade & releasing water vapor. @wastatemagazine.bsky.social has a story about @wsuextension.bsky.social Forestry's efforts to help cities. ⬇️ #GoCougs

magazine.wsu.edu/2025/04/25/b...

Increasing Access to Nourishing Food and Physical Activity

WA SNAP-Ed reached over 1.3 million Washingtonians in 2024!
According to a recent report, ~40% of SNAP-Ed youth participants eat more fresh produce & are more physically active, while ~50% of SNAP-Ed adult participants worry less about running out of food. #GoCougs
wasnap-ed.org

Cool as a cucumber The crisp, refreshing fruit cools you off in the summer.

The cliché makes sense! #Cucumbers are 96% water. So when chilled, cukes will not only cool you off but help hydrate you. #GoCougs
Great story from @wastatemagazine.bsky.social!
@wsuextension.bsky.social
magazine.wsu.edu/2025/04/24/c...