WSU Extension

Growing Sweet Potatoes in the Pacific Northwest As the climate shifts, sweet potatoes are emerging as a viable, in-demand crop in Northwest Washington.

#WSU researcher Carol Miles at the Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center writes about successes w/ expanding sweet potato production in Washington through new sweet potato cultivar development & the challenges of wireworm management. #GoCougs
growingproduce.com/vegetables/m...

Biennial Report Highlights from two years of CSANR research and partnerships delivering practical solutions for agriculture and natural resources.

Research. Partnerships. Results.

The 2024–2025 CSANR Biennial Report highlights measurable impact across Washington state.

🔗 csanr.wsu.edu/biennial-rep...

#AgResearch #WSUExtension #ClimateResilience #WSU

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...

Coordinator Kelly Zupich, of Island County's Shore Friendly Program, leading a field trip on sea level rise at Deception Pass, Puget Sound. 

A 2nd session of the 10-week Climate Stewards Certificate program is offered for Skagit, Island & Whatcom residents, April 2–June 6. The course fosters positive environmental change through projects, weekly learning from experts, & in-person field trips.
climatestewards.extension.wsu.edu

Grazing School | Thurston County | Washington State University Are you interested in attending the 2026 Grazing School? April 16th-19th, 2026 Registration is open now.  Visit the Registration Link for more information! Please email Stephen Bramwell with any quest...

The upcoming Southwest WA Grazing School offers hands-on training for beef, sheep, or goat producers, dairy operators & horse owners. Learn pasture assessment, grazing design, fencing systems & more. #GoCougs
To register or get connected: extension.wsu.edu/thurston/gra...

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....

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...

Great partnership that includes several WSU Extension faculty! Love seeing this kind of impact to help Washington! #GoCougs

A volunteer with the WSU Extension Sustainable Community Stewards helps someone with a fix during a Repair Café event.

Volunteers with the #WSU Extension Sustainable Community Stewards in Snohomish County fixed 500+ items in 2025 during their Repair Café events, keeping more than 2,000 pounds out of the landfill! #GoCougs
They have a lot of cool programs to check out.
extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/su...

Apple tree bearing fruit.

Tree fruit growers, researchers, & industry professionals can benefit from the full-day, in-person workshop "Innovative Tools to Combat Emerging Diseases & Boost Pollination," Feb. 18, in Wenatchee.
To register & learn more: eventbrite.com/e/innovative....

Text on banner image says, "Farm Walks podcast." Illustration shows a pair of boots decorated with microphones.

The Farm Walks podcast season 5 premiere is this Friday, featuring stories from Washington farmers who share their novel approaches to ag practices. #GoCougs
Check out past season episodes at their website: farmwalks.org/about.

A person seated in a classroom environment shows a bare-root conifer seedling in each hand.

Learn how to address your forest challenges & restore healthy conditions during the upcoming Forest Owners Winter School from #WSU Extension Forestry.
+20 classes to choose from. In Auburn, WA, Feb. 21. Register early to attend!
forestry.wsu.edu/nps/events/w...

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-...

Washington State University offering postharvest and pollination workshop Feb. 18 - Good Fruit Grower Washington State University announced a workshop focused on postharvest and pollination topics scheduled for Feb. 18 in Wenatchee.  The event, “Innovative Tools to Combat Emerging Diseases and Boost P...

This upcoming #WSU Extension workshop, highlighted by Good Fruit Grower, will focus on postharvest & pollination topics.
“Innovative Tools to Combat Emerging Diseases & Boost Pollination Workshop”: Feb. 18, 8:15 AM to 3 PM , in Wenatchee.
goodfruit.com/washington-s...

Monica Maggio in a wide-brimmed hat with hand pruners surrounded by small-tree foliage.

Join #WSU Clark County Extension for a Zoom-based fruit tree pruning workshop on Friday, Feb. 6.
Expert Monica Maggio will share tips to improve tree shape, strength & fruit set.
Early registration required: events.cahnrs.wsu.edu/event/fruit-....

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...

Artistic depiction of person in pea-pod canoe paddles out to a beet island with leafy greens as tree tops. A cabbage island is visible in the background, as is the skyline view of the San Juan Islands. Text says, "14th Annual San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit. Growing Resilience. February 27 and 28, 2026. San Juan Island, Washington."

Registration is open for San Juan County Extension's 14th annual ag summit. Two days of learning & collaborating on topics like ag, food, fiber & related systems.
Space is limited, so claim your spot today!
extension.wsu.edu/sanjuan/agri...

Light-brown soil aggregates fall through a person's fingers in this close-up.

SoilCon is back & is bringing together higher ed, industry, nonprofits, & government agencies to explore current topics in soil health. This year's theme will focus on what worked & what didn't.
Virtual & in-person events this February.
To register: washingtonsoilhealthinitiative.com/soilcon-2026/

Cider center supports Western Washington growers - Good Fruit Grower After decades of studying how to grow apples for hard cider, Washington State University researchers in Mount Vernon have a few ideas and have created online guides for growers.

Love this article from Good Fruit Grower talking about the impactful work of #WSU Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center's faculty and staff in pursuit of boosting apple production & improving efficiencies while lowering costs to growers. #GoCougs
goodfruit.com/cider-center...

WSU recognized for community engagement efforts by Carnegie Foundation The university’s status as a Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement Campus was renewed on Jan. 12.

As a land-grant university, #WSU serves WA communities.
We help deliver on that mission through partnerships, education, & service.
Outreach earned WSU recognition as one of only 277 universities with the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. #GoCougs
news.wsu.edu/news/2026/01...

A person in a high-visibility vest carries equipment and a bundle of tree seedlings across a hilly, sparsely forested landscape.

Another great #WSU Extension Forestry event right after the Tree Farm Inspector Training course: the Family Foresters Roundtable; 1 PM, also in Spokane. Eat a hot lunch, network, share ideas, discuss forest improvements, & ask questions. Register today!
forestry.wsu.edu/northeast-re...

A person with a backpack and some personal protective equipment, like hardhat and high-visibility vest, looks up the trunk of a tree toward the canopy while taking notes in a folder.

Join #WSU Extension Forestry for the upcoming Tree Farm Inspector Training for consulting foresters, agency & industry personnel, & sustainability advocates.
Thurs., Jan. 22, 8–11 AM, Spokane, WA.
To learn more & connect:
forestry.wsu.edu/northeast-re...

#WSU Skagit County Extension’s Don McMoran & Maddy Vanderkooy presented to a WA Senate committee on mental health support for farmers statewide, including a support hotline, legal assistance and/or an ag economist at low or no cost, & more. ⬇️
governmentrelations.wsu.edu/2026/01/13/w...

Four 4-H members of the WSU Pierce County Extension livestock judging team stand in front of a Western National Roundup 2026 banner.

Last week the #WSU 4-H Pierce County livestock judging team represented Washington at the 105th Western National Roundup Livestock Judging contest in Denver, CO.
Fantastic showing from the team! We’re looking forward to their continued success & future competitions! #GoCougs

A group of people examine livestock in an outdoor setting on a blue-sky day.

For the food & ag folks across WA, join us for the San Juan County Agricultural Summit, Feb 27 & 28.
Gain inspiration & education through keynotes, hands-on workshops, presentations from farmers & regional specialists, panel discussions, & more.
extension.wsu.edu/sanjuan/agri...

A person in coat and warm hat prunes an apple tree on a sunny, winter day, January, 2026. Image by Peter on Adobe Images.

Home gardeners and tree fruit enthusiasts know there’s work to be done in every season—even January. Check out this great Garden Tasks Calendar from #WSU Chelan and Douglas County Extension for ideas!
extension.wsu.edu/chelan-dougl...

A group of people around a table in a bright conference hall sample foods at a new crops workshop. A projected slide and lectern can be seen on the stage behind them.

Registration is open for the 14th Annual San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit, Feb. 27-28. Food producers, land stewards, & community members from across the islands & beyond are invited to gather for 2 days of learning, connection, & collaboration.
extension.wsu.edu/sanjuan/agri...

WSU Extension research showing goodwill toward neighbors boosts health outcomes New Washington State University Extension research from the CHORDS Lab in Whatcom County suggests that strong neighborly connections improve health outcomes and reduce stress.

Interactions with other people are a predictor of health, according to ongoing @wsuextension.bsky.social research. By sharing food or checking in on someone close, neighbors can help each other & build a habit that supports community & personal well-being. news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...

MASTER GARDENERS: Seeds of Intention: Planning a Garden in the Quiet of Winter - The B-Town (Burien) Blog Seeds of Intention: Planning a Garden in the Quiet of Winter. By Jill Hall, 2025 Master Gardener Intern. As the dark days of winter settle in, my garden has tucked itself into its seasonal slumber. I ...

This #WSU Master Gardener intern declares 2026 “The Year of the Garden.”
“Gardening, at its core, . . . is a hopeful act.”
Read about their approach to gardening this year, & connect with us with any gardening-related questions!
b-townblog.com/master-garde...

WSU Extension research showing goodwill toward neighbors boosts health outcomes New Washington State University Extension research from the CHORDS Lab in Whatcom County suggests that strong neighborly connections improve health outcomes and reduce stress.

Make good neighboring part of your New Year’s resolution—research suggests that neighborly acts increase personal positive health outcomes & community well-being.
Ready to commit? There’s a checklist of ways to become a better neighbor linked at the end.
news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/wsu-...