News from the WSU-Mount Vernon
Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center
Autumn 2004
Hello from WSU-NWREC , and welcome to the Autumn 2004 edition of our quarterly newsletter. The past few months have been busy ones with the Ribbon-Cutting ceremony that dedicated the Olson Heritage House for graduate student housing; the WSU-NWREC Open House that celebrated and informed our friends, neighbors and constituents about the new facility being planned at WSU-NWREC; the beginning of fund-raising for WSU-NWREC; the Vegetable Seed Crop, Small Fruit, and Potato field days; and, other special events including the Wine Grape Viticulture & Enology workshop, the National Potato Promotion & Marketing Board picnic, as well as special meetings with EDASC, NARF, Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation and WSU Statewide Plant Pathology faculty which provided information on our research programs to many visitors, constituents and advisors. Also, many sessions with ARC Architects, WSU Capital Planning, WSU Fac-Ops, Dr. Pete Jacoby, Gail Clowers and WSU-NWREC Space committee have helped finalize our new laboratories, infrastructural upgrades, and facility phasing plans before construction. To the many people who have contributed to these efforts and helped us to continue to go forward, our warmest thanks and appreciation!
- Debra Ann Inglis, Interim Director/Interim Assistant Dean- Tim Miller, Associate Weed Scientist
- Lindsey du Toit, Assistant Plant Pathologist
- Gary Moulton, Extension Fruit Horticulturist
Construction Activities
Considerable progress has occurred on planning the new laboratories, offices, demonstration kitchen and public auditorium, and greenhouse headhouse at WSU-NWREC. The project is proceeding on schedule. Construction of the new septic system by IMCO General Construction Inc. of Bellingham begins the week of Sep 13, and is expected to last for 4-8 weeks. Installation of temporary power, moving the weather station and horticulture trailer, and general preparation for next year's construction activities are also slated for this fall. Designated laboratories, offices, and staff will be moved to temporary quarters late winter/early spring 2005; demolition and construction are expected to begin in late spring/early summer 2005; and, new construction is expected to occur through summer 2006.FYI, the latest plans are posted in the auditorium at WSU-NWREC. Questions also can be directed to Debbie Inglis (848-6134 ).
WSU-NWREC's Fundraising committee has been established. Members include Sue Christianson (chair), Mike Fohn, John Roozen and Alice Takehara (community members), Bob Rose (advisory), and Patrick Kramer and Debbie Inglis (WSU). A brochure about the fund-raising project is available; call 848-6143 for copies. The committee is looking to recruit additional volunteer(s) from the northwest counties. Contact Patrick Kramer at 509-335-9925 .
News
A national search is now underway to hire a new small fruit horticulturist at WSU-NWREC. Members of the search committee include Pat Moore, chair (WSU-Puyallup), John Fellman (WSU-Pullman), Debbie Inglis (WSU-NWREC), Gary Moulton (WSU Extension), Richard Sakuma (Skagit County), and Curt Mayberry (Whatcom County). The position will be at the associate or assistant scientist level, 75% research and 25% extension, and the incumbent will be expected to develop an extramurally-funded small fruit physiology program with emphasis on, but not limited to, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Pat Moore (253-445-4569).
Its official! The new name for the Center is the Washington State University-Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center . We are using WSU-NWREC as the abbreviation. The name change reflects the new regional mission of the Center.
Dr. Ralph Cavalieri , Director of WSU-CAHNRS Ag Research Center , recently completed a tour of research facilities around the state to gain better perspective of budgetary operations. It is expected that a more comprehensive set of guidelines stressing entrepreneurial management to ensure that all sources of funds are used to maintain and improve operations of these facilities, will be forthcoming. At NWREC, the ARC provided some much needed funds to help major repair of a tractor that supports overall farm operations. In addition, outcomes of the transition leadership and management team that was appointed by CAHNRS Interim Dean,
R. James Cook, have resulted in a number of funding allocations from CAHNRS including Olson Heritage House furnishings, security fencing around key NWREC property perimeters, weather station relocation, movement of mobile facilities from the new construction site, and communications access to the Olson Heritage House. Thank you CAHNRS and ARC!
People
Congratulations to Lanette Singleton, long-time secretary at WSU-NWREC, on her recent marriage and retirement. Although we will miss her, we wish Lanette the very best!
Dr. Linda Fox has been named as the new Interim Dean/Director for WSU Extension.
Dr. Debbie Inglis attended the ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Development program in Indianapolis , IN on Jun 26-30.
Hello to Michele Fry and Kimberly Biggers. Michele and Kim will be working part-time over the next few months to help in the front office until Lanette's position is filled.
Thanks to Juan Alonso, Ron Dralle and Dan Gorton for the good work they have done this summer on the grounds and landscaping at the Olson Heritage Farmhouse.
WSU-NWREC thanks Jim Kropf for the wonderful job he did as our Interim Director. We look forward to working with him in his role as Director of the Northwest Extension District.
Presentations and Workshops
Jun 11. To Naktuinbouw (agricultural government agency) and EU seed companies in Roelofarendsveen, Holland , "Spinach Seed Assay Lab Workshop," by Lindsey du Toit.
Jun 15. To Northwest Ag Research Foundation, "Progress Towards the New WSU-NWREC at Mount Vernon ," by Debbie Inglis.
Jun 15. To Weed Management Training session, Mount Rainier National Park , "Herbicide movement and toxicity," by Tim Miller.
Jun 16. To WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners' Foundation, "April 2004 Report to Skagit Display Gardeners," by Debbie Inglis.
Jun 17. To Economic Development Association of Skagit County , "WSU-NWREC at Mount Vernon ," by Debbie Inglis.
Jun 29. To Pacific Branch Mtg. Entom. Soc. of America in Bozeman, MT, "Factors limiting conservation biological control by a guild of predatory beetles," by Renée Prasad (w/B. Snyder).
Jul 6. To WSU-NWREC staff/volunteers, "Insects and Humans: Beyond Honey and Diazanon," by Renée Prasad.
Jul 13. The WSU-NWREC Vegetable Seed Crops field day featured research being done by Mike Derie, Lindsey du Toit, Pablo Hernandez, and Carl Libbey, Bob Peterson, and Tim Miller.
Jul 14 and Aug 10, To the WSU Extension Farm Walks, "Weed identification and organic weed control strategies," by Tim Miller.
Jul 15. To the Washington State Seed Potato Commission field day in Lynden, "Potato Research Projects in 2004," by Debbie Inglis.
Jul 22. The WSU-NWREC Small Fruits Field Day featured research being done by Pete Bristow, Pat Moore, Gary Moulton, and Tim Miller.
Jul 27. To WSU-NWREC staff/volunteers, "Plant Disease & Compost Tea," by Jessica Gigot.
Jul 29. To visitors at WSU-NWREC Open House: "Revitalization Efforts and Our Volunteers" by Debbie Inglis and Pete Jacoby; "Schematic Design for Site & Facility" by Rex Bond and Dan Podell of ARC Architects; "Timeline and Budget" by Virgil Hansen of WSU Capital Planning. Informal discussion groups, and displays by WSU-NWREC staff on entomology, fruit hort, vegetable pathology, vegetable seed, and weed science research also were presented.
Aug 2. To the Ann. Mtg. (Agroecology Section) of the Ecological Soc. of America in Portland, OR, "Intra-guild predation impacts fly biocontrol by generalist predators," by Renée Prasad (and Bill Snyder).
Aug 4. To the Western Washington Potato Grower's Breakfast in Burlington , "Potato Diseases in 2004," by Debbie Inglis.
Aug 17. To WSU-NWREC staff/volunteers, "WSU-NWREC Revitalization Plans" by D. Inglis.
Aug 17. At the International Congress of Entomology in Queensland , Australia , "Factors limiting conservation biological control," by Bill Snyder (and Renée Prasad).
Aug 18. The WSU-NWREC Potato Field Day featured research being done by Mike Derie, Jessica Gigot, Lindsey du Toit, Babette Gundersen, Debbie Inglis, Tim Miller, Christiane Steen.
Aug. 27. The WSU Onion Field Day near Quincy , WA featured demonstration plots and research being done by Lindsey du Toit and Mike Derie on Botrytis neck rot of onion and Iris Yellow Spot Virus of onion.
Publications and Technical Reports (accepted/published)
Coyne, C. J., Grunwald, N. J., Inglis, D. A., McPhee, K. E., and Pilet-Nayel, M. L. 2004. Inheritance of Fusarium root rot resistance in pea using RILs. Abstract and poster at 5 th European Grain Legume Conf., Dijon , France . This project originally funded by NARF.
du Toit , L. J., Crowe, F., Derie, M. L., Bafus, R., and Pelter, G. Q. 2004. Bacterial blight of carrot seed crops in the Pacific Northwest . Abstract and poster at Ann. Mtg. American Phytopathological Soc., Anaheim , CA .
du Toit, L. J., Derie, M. L . and Hernandez-Perez, P. 2004. Verticillium wilt in spinach seed production. Plant Disease: (accepted 7/04)
du Toit, L. J., Derie, M. L ., and Pelter, G. Q. 2004. Botrytis species on onion seed crops in the Columbia Basin of Washington . Plant Disease 88: (in press).
du Toit, L. , and Inglis, D. (eds.). WSU Vegetable Pathology Team newsletters, Jun/Jul and Aug/Sep editions, http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/path_team/currentnewlet.htm)
duToit, L . and Miller, T., Derie, M., Maupin, B., Peterson, R., and Libbey, C. 2004. Efficacy of mustard biofumigant crops for management of weeds and Fusarium wilt in spinach seed crops. Abstract and poster at the 4 th International Weed Science Congress, Durban , South Africa .
Eastwell, K., Druffel, K. and du Toit, L. 2004. Etiology of 'Black Death' of Hellebores spp. Abstract and poster at 23 rd Ann. Mtg. of the American Soc. for Virology, Montreal , Can.
Inglis, D. A ., Miller, J. S., and Johnson, D. A. 2004. Efficacy of phosphorus acid against pink rot and Pythium leak on potato. Abstract and poster at Ann. Mtg. American Phytopathological Soc., Anaheim , CA .
McPhee, K. E., Inglis, D. A., and Coyne, C. A. 2004. Linkage map location of Fusarium wilt Race 2 resistance (Fnw) in pea. Abstract and poster at 5 th European Conf. on Grain Legumes, Dijon , France .
Johnson, D. A., Inglis, D. A., and Miller, J. S. 2004. Control of potato tuber rots caused by oomycetes with foliar applications of phosphorous acid. Plant Disease: (in press).
Miller, T . 2004. Susceptibility of Knotweeds (Polygonum spp.) to various herbicides. Abstract and presentation to the Ann. Mtg. Soc. Wetland Scientists, Seattle.
Miller, T., Peterson, R., Libbey, C., and Maupin, B. 2004. Split applications of herbicides enhances weed control in cabbage seed crops. Abstract and poster at the 4 th International Weed Science Congress, Durban , South Africa .
Paplowsky, A. L., Robles, L., Chun, W., Derie, M. L., du Toit, L. J., Meng, X. Q., and Gilbertson, R. L. 2004. Identification of a Xanthomonas pathogen of coriander from Oregon , USA . Abstract and poster presented at Ann. Mtg. American Phytopathological Soc. in Anaheim , CA .
Prasad , R. P. and Snyder, W. E. 2004. Predator interference limits fly egg biocontrol by a guild of ground active beetles. Biological Control: (in press).
Recent Research Grants Awarded (competitive)
$3,000 from the California Onion and Garlic Research Committee to Lindsey du Toit for "Seedborne pathogens of onion."
$3,542 from the Perennial Plant Assoc. by Ken Eastwell, Keith Pike, Lindsey du Toit and Doug Walsh for, "Developing tools to manage black death of Helleborus."
$5,000 from Nevada Onion and Garlic Advisory Board to Martin Chilvers and Lindsey du Toitfor "Developing a molecular seed assay for research on Botrytis neck rot of onion."
$30,000 from the USDA Organic Research Initiative for "Organic Seed Treatments on Vegetables" to Debbie Inglis, Carol Miles, and Lindsey to du Toit.
$30,959 from the USDA Organic Research Initiative for "Organic transition crops for the PNW " to Tim Miller and Debbie Inglis.
Updates from Westside Ag Research/Extension Locations
WSU-Puyallup --Just like at the WSU-NWREC at Mount Vernon , WSU-Puyallup is undergoing a time of change. Beginning October 4, Dr. Jon Newkirk will begin the position of director at WSU-Puyallup. John arrives from the WSU Spokane County Extension Office where he has been the director of the WSU Western Center for Risk Management Education since 2001. In addition, the WSU-Puyallup conference room has been rearranged to handle the new Washington Higher Education Telecommunications System (WHETS). Dr. Rita Hummel will be offering a Horticulture course over WHETS in January 2005. Also, upgrades to facilitate laboratory research on Sudden Oak Death, improved air handling for Kalkus Hall, and a new heating system for the Administration Building are underway.
WSU Snohomish County -- WSU Extension personnel are working closely with various entities on several agricultural projects including: i) developing with the county Agriculture Advisory Board and new Agriculture Coordinator, strategies to sustain present farms/farmers and encourage new farmers/agribusiness to migrate to Snohomish County to "re-farm" the estimated 30% land lying fallow, ii) planning two workshops for dairy producers interested in cheese-making; dates are Oct 30 and Mar 22; contact Mike Hackett (425)-357-6017 for more information, iii) forming a grass-fed beef marketing entity, iv) designing a bio-gas plant at the now-vacant Monroe Reformatory Dairy Farm; it will initially handle animal nutrient matter from five surrounding dairies to turn the matter into methane and compost, both saleable products; and, v) assisting Hmong farmers on organic pest/weed control methods.
WSU-Vancouver/Long Beach-- The WSU Vancouver Research & Extension Unit is becoming part of the WSU Vancouver urban campus and transitioning away from the property it currently occupies. Dr. Kim Patten at WSU-Long Beach is now a faculty member in the Southwest Extension District.
Upcoming Autumn Events at WSU-NWREC
WSU-NWREC's Gary Moulton, and Peter Mitchell of Mitchell F&D Ltd, Worcester , England , are offering a Cider School at WSU-NWREC,Nov 8-12 and Nov 15-19. Week 1 will cover principles and practice of cider making, and Week 2 will focus on science, technology and quality control. For further information contact Jackie King (848-6132 ; kingjack@wsu.edu).
WSU-NWREC Graduate Students--Activities and News
Jessica Gigot and Christiane Steen have now moved to Pullman to complete their academic requirements for M.S. degrees; they will both return to WSU-NWREC in 2005 to continue work on their M.S. theses research.
Pablo Hernandez is completing the last year of his M.S. thesis project in Veg Seed Pathology.
Renée Prasad will return to Pullman in mid-November, after finishing up her field and greenhouse experiments (and going away to get married at the end of October!) where she will work on her Ph.D. dissertation.
The Olson Heritage Farmhouse ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Jun 12 to honor the Osberg Family legacy and celebrate the renovation of the farmhouse for its new purpose of housing graduate students and visiting scientists. We hope that WSU faculty and staff from all locations will be able to use the house and visit more often! To make a reservation, call 848-6143 .
Salal Chapter Native Plant Society-- On Saturday, Sep 25, the NPS garden at WSU-NWREC will have their fall plant sale from 10 am to 1 pm . This sale will be an inventory reduction sale with a wide selection of trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns. No plant sales are planned during 2005 due to re-location of the NPS garden area to another part of the Skagit Display Gardens . So, be sure to attend this sale. Contact Pam Pritzl at 360-387-7024 for information.
Skagit County Master Gardeners --The WSU/Skagit Co. Master Gardeners have been busy getting their Paver project installed and spiffed-up before the construction at the Center begins. An engraved paver is a great way to remember a loved one, a loyal employee, or to thank someone who deserves it (Andy is immortalized!). Pavers are only $25 apiece!!! The MGs are also finishing up the addition on the storage shed, doing some plumbing, putting the Japanese Garden back together, and getting ready to wind down activity for the season. For October they have a Backyard Habitat workshop at the WSU Discovery Garden on Sep 18 at 10 am , a Heather Propagation workshop on Oct 5 at 1:30 pm , and a few Dig-It (elementary school curriculum) field days. These events will conclude many excellent educational efforts in the garden during 2004.
Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation-- WWFRF's Annual Harvest Day was held on Sep 11, and the Annual Field Day and Open House is scheduled for Oct 16 from 9 am to 4 pm . For more information contact Gary Moulton (848-6134 ) or Larry Mowrer ( mowrer@earthlink.net; 360-766-8043 ).
--Permission to reprint the WSU-NWREC News newsletter is granted, provided the intended meaning is not changed and explicit credit is given to the publication source.--