WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources

10/06/2026

Does more soil microbial diversity mean better crop production? 🌱

In a new Perspectives article, CSANR’s Andrew McGuire examines the research behind that assumption. He argues that the specific microbes present, such as mycorrhizal fungi, may matter more than the total number of kinds.

His advice for farmers: follow established practices that support soil health, including crop rotation, adding plant biomass, and managing soil pH.

🔗 Explore the article: csanr.wsu.edu/the-case-against-chasing-soil-microbial-diversity



Photo: Sara Wright, USDA Agricultural Research Service

10/01/2026

WSU faculty: Apply for up to $40,000 to generate preliminary data, complete high-impact research, or explore a promising new direction for sustaining agriculture in Washington.

First-time applicants strongly encouraged.

Application deadlines:
📅 Required letter of intent: November 18, 2026
📅 Full proposal: December 14, 2026

🔗 https://csanr.wsu.edu/bioag

09/29/2026

More than 9,500 pounds of squash from WSU Puyallup research plots were donated to the Emergency Food Network, Puyallup Food Bank, and Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank this year. CSANR’s Doug Collins studies reduced tillage in organic vegetable production at one of six long-term agroecological research and extension (LTARE) sites supported by the Washington Soil Health Initiative. A separate dry-farming trial also contributed squash.

📷 Photos: Doug Collins

09/28/2026

Satellite imagery can generate enormous datasets. But for many agricultural AI problems, the high-quality field observations needed to train and evaluate models may number only in the hundreds.

In a new Perspectives piece, CSANR Faculty Leadership Team member Kirti Rajagopalan explains why “big data” depends on perspective. She argues that agricultural AI must combine limited observations with existing knowledge and use uncertainty estimates to guide new data collection.

The goal is not simply to collect more data. It is to make each new observation add as much useful information as possible.

🔗 Read Kirti’s perspective: https://csanr.wsu.edu/agricultural-data-big-or-small

09/24/2026

How does an electric utility vehicle compare with diesel during everyday orchard work?

At the Sept. 23 WSU-USDA Sunrise Research Farm Field Day, CSANR’s Aliyana Avalos (center) shared findings from a May–June comparison at WSU Sunrise Research Orchard. Orchard scouting and irrigation management were the most common tasks recorded for both vehicles.

In this test, the electric UTV used less energy per mile across light, medium, and heavy load categories. In the team’s cost model, it became less expensive to own after seven years despite its higher initial cost. That result assumes an average of five hours of use per day and financing only the electric UTV.

WSU Energy Program Green Transportation Team members Jason Kung (left) and Brad James (right) contributed to the project.

A full report with more detail on the vehicle comparison and cost assumptions is in preparation.

09/22/2026

“The better the technology becomes, the more it points us back to the people who will use it and the agricultural systems it represents.”

In a new story, WSU PhD candidate Amin Norouzi Kandelati reflects on a tillage-mapping project launched with seed funding from CSANR’s BIOAg Program. When models developed elsewhere struggled with eastern Washington’s diverse cropping systems, the team used nearly 600 roadside observations and information about crop type to improve the approach. Median overall accuracy rose from 69% to 84%.

Amin explains how agricultural expertise, conversations with conservation professionals, and attention to the model’s uncertainty helped turn research maps into something people can use.

🔗 Read the story: https://csanr.wsu.edu/mapping-tillage-practices

09/21/2026

Mapping tillage across eastern Washington took more than satellite data and machine learning. This project, which began with seed funding from a CSANR BIOAg grant, brought WSU researchers and conservation district staff together to improve the maps and make them useful for conservation work.

In this video, PhD candidate Amin Norouzi Kandelati and his adviser, Kirti Rajagopalan, explain how hundreds of field observations gathered during roadside surveys improved tillage predictions. Ryan Boylan and Bradley Johnson of Palouse Conservation District discuss how they’re already using the maps.

This video was made possible with funding from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.

09/17/2026

Congratulations to Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison, a valued member of CSANR’s Advisory Committee, on his election as president of NASDA.

Over the years, Derek has helped bring CSANR’s expertise into important statewide conversations and has remained a strong supporter of the center. We’re grateful for his partnership and look forward to his leadership in this national role.

WSDA Director Derek Sandison has been elected President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

"At a pivotal time for American agriculture, I look forward to bringing people together, fostering important conversations, and supporting the farmers and ranchers who feed and sustain our nation," said Sandison. "And I can’t wait to welcome NASDA to the beautiful state of Washington for the 2027 Annual Meeting!"

👉 Visit our website to read the full news release: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=47289

09/10/2026

The next session in the Anaerobic Dairy Digester series from Washington State University Energy Program will cover:

- Air quality permitting with Jordan Hanna and Ben Hubertus of Trinity Consultants
- Nutrient management with Kyrre Flege of WSDA
- A farmer's perspective on permitting and nutrient management with Steve Vander Haak of Vander Haak Dairy

🗓️ September 15, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m. PDT
🎟️ Free to attend

Register at https://energy.wsu.edu/digester-webinars

09/10/2026

🍇 With Washington’s 2025 w**e grape harvest down 28%, growers have little room to absorb an unsuccessful management change. Long-term research can help them weigh the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of different practices.

Project manager Liz Gillispie and colleagues are comparing five vineyard management systems at WSU's research vineyard in Prosser. They are studying how different practices and soil characteristics affect vine health, fruit quality, and the vineyard’s ability to remain productive over time.

The vineyard is one of six long-term research sites established through the Washington Soil Health Initiative, which CSANR helps lead.

Read the story: 🔗 https://csanr.wsu.edu/healthy-soil-for-vineyards