Plant Pathology Presents A Panel Discussion on Sabbatical Leave “Why So Few Faculty Take Sabbatical: Barriers and Bridges to Professional Leave”, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. Faculty, postdocs, and graduate students are welcome to attend.
Further Info: Event Flyer

Brown Bag Seminar: Origins and Descendants of Puget Sound Heirloom Grains, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. Presenter: Richard D. Scheuerman, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Education, Seattle Pacific University.
Further Info: Event Flyer (.pub) and Event Flyer (.pdf)

Skagit County Health Department “Septics 201” class, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Two classes, 12:30 pm–2:15 pm and 2:30 pm–4:15 pm. See Access Skagit County for more information.
Contact: Wade Bessett or Corinne Story in the Skagit County Health Department, 360-336-9380.

Washington Farm Labor Association “Harassment Training”, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. Workplace Harassment training provides employees with an understanding of what is acceptable, un-acceptable, and illegal behavior in the workplace. This is an interactive course using cases, scenarios and exercise that are relevant to your work environment.
Further Info: Details and Registration.

Master Gardner’s Know and Grow Workshop: “How to Get the Most From Your Vegetable Garden”, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. A program about successfully growing vegetables for optimal harvest in Skagit County.
Further Info: Details

WSU Extension “Riparian Grazing and Water Quality” Workshop, WSU Research & Extension Center, West Auditorium, Mount Vernon, WA. The workshops will teach producers how to accurately identify their risk of causing water quality problems and then link risks to specific strategies that are proven to protect riparian function, water quality and plant and soil health.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Spotted Wing Drosophila Identification Workshop, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Presentation on biology and morphology of SWD, followed by a hands-on laboratory exercise where participants are given a small bag of infested berries and will work in small groups using a dissecting microscope. Learn how to recognize eggs and larvae in fruit and use a salt disclosing solution to extract larvae from infested fruit samples.
Further Info: Details and Registration Information

Brown Bag Seminar: Cultivation of Chinese Medicinal Herbs in Small Scale Organic Production, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Peg Schafer, owner/operator of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm outside Petaluma, is the speaker. Free and open to the public.
Contact: hfproduce@gmail.com or 360-941-8196.
Further Info: Flyer

Specialized Beekeeping Course: Queen Rearing Workshop, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info: Registration Form

Berry Growers Breakfast, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info:

Master Gardner’s Know and Grow Workshop: Iris, Beautiful Iris, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. They bridge the gap between spring and summer with their rainbow of colors. John Ogdon of Rainbow’s End Iris Farm invites you to share the beauty of this ancient flower in all its modern colors and forms. Free and open to the public. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Further Info: Skagit County Extension Master Gardners Events

Skagit County Master Gardener’s Rain Garden Education Day, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Presenter: ERica Guttman.
Further Info:

Skagit County “Septics 201”, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info: Details

Orchard Management: Cider Fruit Production, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. This one day class offers the basics of tree fruit production with emphasis on cider and dessert apple varieties. Expert orchardist Gary Moulton will discuss topics on rootstock, nutrient management, pest management, irrigation, orchard layout planting, pruning, and harvest techniques. The class coincides with Cider Production: Principles & Practices but is open to anyone interested in learning about the essentials of orchard management. The format of the class will be a lecture and discussion followed by an optional tour of nearby Red Barn Cider and orchard.

Registration fee to attend the class is $75/person. The fee includes snacks, light lunch, and all lecture materials. Fee is waived for participants attending the Cider Production: P&P course.
Contact: Carolyn Goodrich at NABC, carolyn.goodrich@agbizcenter.org or 360-336-3727
Further Info: Details and Registration

Cider Making – Principles & Practices, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Do you want to gain a thorough understanding of cider & perry and acquire the skills & knowledge necessary necessary to to make quality products? Then, this is THE course to attend!
Contact: Carolyn Goodrich at NABC, carolyn.goodrich@agbizcenter.org or 360-336-3727
Further Info: Details and Registration

2012 Small Grains Field Day, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Attention farmers, millers, bakers, maltsters, distillers, and brewers: Join us to tour our research fields and to discuss the production of small grains such as wheat, oats, rye and barley in Western Washington for food, feed, and malt. This is a free event, no preregistration required.
Further Info: Handout

WSU Mount Vernon Field Day, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. Join us to learn about current agricultural research, and to catch up with others in the Agricultural community.
Further Info: Flyer. Field Day is a WSDA pesticide recertification course worth 2 credits.
Further Info: Flyer

Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation Cherry Fruit Day, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. Educational Seminars and samples of uncommon and unique varieties.
Further Info: Flyer.

Cider & Perry Production Principles and Practices, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Do you want to gain a thorough understanding of cider & perry and acquire the skills & knowledge necessary necessary to to make quality products? Then, this is THE course to attend!
Contact: Carolyn Goodrich at NABC, carolyn.goodrich@agbizcenter.org or 360-336-3727
Further Info: Details and Registration

Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation Summer Fruit Festival, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. The festival features an espalier symposium. Guest speakers include Chef Graham Kerr, Raintree Nursery owner Sam Benowitz and Northwoods Nursery founder Jim Gilbert. Field days are free to members, and open to non-members for one-day fees. See details.
Further Info: Details, flyer, press release, and advance entrance purchase.

Kneading Conference West, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Hands on workshops for novices and professionals: Artisan bread & pastry baking, grain growing, milling, malting and wood-fired oven construction.
Further Info: Details and Registration

WSU Skagit County Extension Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching course, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Wednesday evening classes, 6–9 p.m. Topics covered: organic crop production; ecological pest, weed, and disease management; livestock and poultry; pasture management; equipment and infrastructure; small farm finance and more. Cost: $250 per farm family/partnership
Further Info: Poster

WSU Urban IPM Workshop, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. This two day workshop focuses on turf identification, problem diagnosis, and weed management. Practice turfgrass ID; diagnose insect, disease, and weed problems in hands-on sessions; learn about turf management strategies for problem prevention. Cost: $200, offers 12 WSDA recertification credits.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Sample the Apple and Pear Harvest, Fruit Garden, WSU Mount Vernon, WA. A great chance to try out the latest apples and pears. There will also be talks on cider, and apple diseases and pests. Cost: free to current WWFRF members, $15/individual and $30/family for non-members.
Further Info: Details

Master Gardener’s Know and Grow Workshop, “Fall Garden Tasks”, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. It is a beautiful time of year to be out in your yard. Local Master Gardeners will cover what can be done now to care for your garden. They will be available to answer your questions as well. Free and open to the public.
Further Info:

Climate Change Workshop, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. For more information, contact Schneider@skagitwatershed.org.
Further Info:

A closer look at local and regional food systems, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.

Webstreaming live at : mms://windowsmedia.wsu.edu/stream. The stream will not be live until the start of the seminar

This event will be archived for 6 months after the event at the following site: http://windowsmedia.wsu.edu/MMR/cahe/103012HarvestSeminar.wmv.
Further Info: Event Poster

Master Gardener’s Know and Grow Workshop: “Visiting Public Gardens and Garden Shows in Europe”, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info:

Climate Change and Flooding in the Skagit Valley, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info:

Septics 201 class, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. This class provides homeowners with training on how to inspect a conventional gravity septic system.
Further Info: Details

Cider and Perry Production Advanced Course, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Brown Bag Seminar: Snohomish Conservation District: 70 years of service and solutions. Sakuma Auditorium, WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC. Caitlin Price is a WSU graduate and was recently hired by the SCD as a Farm Planner in the Stillaguamish watershed. She will talk about her background in livestock management, soils, and compost research and how her education and experience led to her current position at SCD. SCD Manager Monte Marti will share the history of SCD, now in its 70th year, and the role of Conservation Districts in resource conservation and the future of agriculture. Other SCD staff will also be present to talk about some of their current projects.

Washington Blueberry Growers’ Conference. WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC Auditorium. Presentations from leading University and Industry speakers. This workshop is for blueberry growers, extension professionals and industry representatives. Presentations on production, food safety and marketing. A panel of leading growers, discussing the year in review. Video link to WSU-Prosser, for the benefit of growers east of the Cascades.
Contact: If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to vanessa@centurytel.net.

Specialty Cut Flower Growers School, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC and Jello Mold Farm, Mount Vernon, WA. Presenter: THE SEATTLE WHOLESALE GROWERS MARKET in collaboration with WSU NWREC partially funded by WSDA Specialty Crop Block Grant.
Local flower farmers Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm and Vivian Larson of Everyday Flowers are joined by third generation specialty cut flower grower Joe Schmitt of Fair Field Flowers, Madison Wisconsin to bring a dynamic learning opportunity for beginning and intermediate flower farmers in the Pacific Northwest. Focus is on sustainable growing techniques.

This two-day workshop offers classroom and on-farm instruction to help students begin growing and selling high quality cut flowers. Participants receive a complete workbook with resources and technical information. Topics include: Business planning basics, plant selection, growing techniques, pest management strategies, specialized equipment, quality postharvest care, season extension, and marketing opportunities.
Questions: Contact Diane Szukovathy, 206-290-3154.
Further Info: Second page of the flyer is the registration form to be complete as instructed on the page and sent to: The Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, PO Box 1976, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Brown Bag Seminar: Snow Geese Habitat. Sakuma Auditorium, WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Vasiliy Baranyuk, vsiting scientist. Russian biologist to highlight snow geese on west coast lecture tour PCJV partners invited to schedule a lecture. Vasiliy Baranyuk is a Russian biologist and accomplished photographer, specializing in the study of Wrangel Island snow geese. This rare population breeds on Russia’s Wrangel Island and winters on the west coast of North America – primarily the Skagit and Fraser River Deltas of British Columbia and Washington. Through a grant from the Pacific Coast Joint Venture, he is conducting a lecture tour to share his love of the land and wildlife and foster understanding of these snow geese.
Further Info: Pacific Coast Joint Venture.

28^th Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, Mount Vernon Research and Extension Center
Contacts: Andres Jensen at 509-765-8845 or ajensen@potatoes.com; Don McMoran at 360-428-4270 ext. 225 or donaldm@co.skagit.wa.us
Further Info: Workshop Brochure

Berry Bud Open House, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC processing lab, Mount Vernon, WA. Informal open house for growers and others to discuss the recent cold event and impacts on berry crops. Will show growers ways to evaluate freeze damage in berry buds.
Presenters: Tom Walters, Don McMoran, Colleen Burrows and local growers.

Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation Winter Field Day, Sakuma Auditorium, Mount Vernon, WA. Panel discussions and demonstrations in the Discovery Garden.
Presenters: Tim Lawrence is the Director WSU Island County Extension and beyond his Phd in entomology focused on bees, I've learned that his earlier degrees focused on Pomology!
Dave Hunter of Hunters Mason Bees and Crown Bees has just returned from facilitating a national event about non-honey bee pollinators (you can visit his Crown Bees website).
David Feinberg is an active WWFRF member and is a serious about raising honey bees, and will be installing 10 honey bee hives into the Fruit Garden this winter/spring.
Bill Davis is an active WWFRF Board member and has non-commercially raised Honey, Mason, & Bumble bees.
Further Info: Winter Field Day Schedule

Brown Bag Seminar: Group Study Exchange – The Ireland Experience. Group Study Exchange is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity sponsored by The Rotary Foundation. Team members are non-Rotarian young professionals chosen after a selection process. For 4 weeks team members study the host country’s institutions and ways of life. William Freitas, WSU Skagit County 4-H Educator, was a member of the team who went to Ireland and Northern Ireland in September 2010. He will be talking about his experience staying with host families, and visiting with leaders in educational, public services, businesses and non-profit organizations. Also he will comment on his observations on the customs, beliefs, and social-political context of the Irish people.

Western Washington Wine Grape Growers Workshop
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC

Agenda and Registration Form

Meet the WSU Viticulture & Enology Program Director, Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling, and the new WSU State-wide Viticulture Specialist, Dr. Michelle Moyer

Review the 2010 Production Season – Discuss pest and management issues that are significant in western Washington, including Powdery Mildew, Botrytis, Yellow Jackets and Proper Spray Technologies,

Taste and Evaluate New Varieties – Get information on new grape varieties that may be suitable for western Washington and evaluate wines made from these grapes in established regions in the world.

Brown Bag Seminar: Sabbatical In South Africa, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Lindsey du Toit discusses her proferssional and personal experiences during a 6-month sabbatical in South Africa, where she worked with onion bulb and seed growers from November 2010 to April 2011.
Further Info: Flyer

Spotted Wing Drosophila & Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Workshops, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. This workshop is for commercial growers and home gardeners. A brief overview will be provided on the identification and biology of BMSB and what should be done if you suspect you have found this pest in our region. The biology, identification and control of SWD, including a hands-on demonstration will be covered. No cost to attend. RSVP Required.
Contacts: Don McMoran donaldm@co.skagit.wa.us or 360-428-4270
Further Info: Workshop Flyer and Website

WA Tilth Producers’ 2011 Early Season Farm Walk Series: Current Research in Organic Farming, WSU Mount Vernon 1–3:30pm; Optional Tour of Viva Farm Incubator, Mount Vernon, 3:30–4:30pm. Alternatives to black plastic mulch for organic vegetable production are being evaluated by a national team of plant, soil, and material scientists at WSU Mt. Vernon. See biodegradable mulches and learn which head lettuce, tomato and strawberry varieties are suited to organic production under high tunnels. Discuss opportunities for incorporating grains into western Washington farms and barley varieties under organic production for their suitability for food, malt, and feed and the effects of top-dressing winter wheat with organic fertilizers. Grafting is an innovative disease management strategy for Verticillium Wilt in tomato, eggplant and watermelon; observe how grafted heirloom tomato performs in a high tunnel and open field and attend a grafting demonstration. Take an optional tour to nearby farm incubator Viva Farms, a joint venture of WSU Extension and GrowFood.org which provides land and support for beginning and Latino farmers.
Contact: organic@tilthproducers.org or call 206-632-7506
Further Info: Details and Registration.

2011 Small Grains Field Day, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Join us to discuss the production of small grains such as wheat, rye and barley in Western Washington for food, feed, and malt.
Further Info: 2011 Small Grains Field Day Flyer.

Brown Bag Seminar: An Introduction to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Presenter: Eric Johnson, NRCS Mount Vernon office
Further Info: Flyer

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC Field Day and NARF advisory committee meetings, Mount Vernon, WA.
Presenters: WSU Faculty and graduate students.
Time: Advisory committee meetings begin at 1:30 p.m.; tour begins at 3:30 p.m.; chicken barbecue dinner at 6p.m. and more advisory committee meetings from 7–8 p.m.
Location: Throughout the campus
Further Info: Flyer with Schedule of Events and Poster

Berry Grower’s Field Day with Dr. Tom Walters, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Presentations of research on cane burning, weed management, cultivar evaluations and high tunnel strawberry production. Meet at the Olson House raspberry field.

Brown Bag Seminar: Honey Bee Stock Improvement Program, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA.
Presenter: Susan Cobey, Research Associate, WSU Department of Entomology
Further Info: Flyer

Kneading Conference West, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. In collaboration with the highly successful Artisan Bread Kneading Conference held each year in Maine a sole west coast venue has been added. The idea is to revive regional grain cultivation and one of the best ways to do this is to encourage a demand for the special flavors and nourishment of grains cultivated and milled nearby. Kneading Conference West brings together grain farmers, millers, agricultural researchers, novice and professional bakers, wood-fired oven enthusiasts, and eaters. For two days of talks and hands-on workshops, participants exchange ideas and skills, resulting in a strengthened community of grain producers, artisan bakers, and consumers.
Further Info: Conference website.

Organic No-Till Field Day, WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA. There will be an on-farm discussion of organic no-till management practices and techniques. Basic principles such as mechanical termination of cover crops and cover crop selection will be among the topics covered by WSU Extension Faculty Doug Collins, Andrew Corbin and Chris Benedict.
Contact: Andrew Corbin at 425-357-6012 or corbina@wsu.edu
Further Info: Flyer.

2011 Agriculture & Northwest Ecosystems Symposium, WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA. Please join us on Thursday, October 27th for the third annual Agriculture & Northwest Ecosystems Symposium to learn more about current research in our area. This year representatives from each department at WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center will have a demonstration table and provide hands-on activities. The keynote speaker will be University of Washington Professor David R. Montgomery, an expert on soil erosion and salmon ecology. He is also the author of Dirt and King of Fish.

Event Itinerary:
1:15–3:30 p.m. Graduate student short presentations
3:45–4:45 p.m. Poster session and hands-on demonstrations
5:00–6:00 p.m. Keynote speaker: Dave Montgomery

Location: 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

The Greenhorns documentary film, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. The Greenhorns documentary film comes to WSU Mount Vernon as part of a West Coast tour by the filmmakers. Completed after almost 3 years in production, the film explores the lives of America’s young farming community – its spirit, practices, and needs. It is the filmmaker’s hope that by broadcasting the stories and voices of these young farmers, we can build the case for those considering a career in agriculture – to embolden them, to entice them, and to recruit them into farming. Join us for a free screening of the film and a conversation with director Severine von Tscharner Fleming. Watch the trailer and get more information about the film: http://thegreenhorns.net/.

Brown Bag Seminar: 30 Year Retrospective of Tree Fruit Research at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. The seminar presents a history and overview of the fruit research projects that were conducted here at Mount Vernon, and the program’s contributions to general knowledge about tree fruit varieties and culture in western Washington during that period.
Presenter: Jacky King
Further Info: Flyer

Brown Bag Seminar: The importance of Agriculture Quarantine Inspection (AQI) at the border with Canada, WSU Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, WA. This presentation will cover the major groups of pests that are frequently intercepted and their consequences to Agriculture if they were to become established in Skagit County. Also covered will be some of the pests surveyed in Skagit County as well as some potential exotic pests that may show up in the future that pose a threat to Skagit county.
Presenter: Bill Carlson, Entomologist with USDA/APHIS, located at Pacific Highway Truck Crossing, Blaine, WA. Bill Carlson has an MS in Agriculture/Pest management from Cal Poly Univ. in San Luis Obispo CA, and a BS in Crop Production from Chico State College in Chico CA. He is a Viet Nam Navy Veteran; former Vo-Ag instructor; Certified Pest Control Advisor for Butte County Rice Growers Cooperative; Rice Farmer in Sacramento Valley CA (25 years); Owned and operated Ag Chemical Application company; Served on Board of Directors for BUCRA Seed Growers, served on the Board of Directors for California Cooperative Rice Research Board; Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist for USDA and currently Area Identifier/Entomologist for USDA/APHIS/PPQ in Blaine WA.

Composting Systems and Management, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Tamara Thomas.
Further Info: Event Flyer

Brown Bag Lunch Speakers Series, Artful Persuasion: Artists Helping Scientists Convey the Realities of Climate Change, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Lin McJunkin, sculptor/science editor.
Further Info: Event Flyer

Integrated Organic Seed Systems, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Micaela Colley, Organic Seed Alliance.
Further Info: Event Flyer

Breadmaking Workshop: The Mysteries of Sourdough, WSU Mount Vernon Demo Kitchen. Presenter: Scott Mangold, Bread Farm.
Further Info: Event Flyer

Food Systems Planning and Research in NW Washington, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenters: Dr. Branden Born, University of Washington and Kara Martin.
Further Info: Slide Shows – Planning for Food Systems: Whats, Whys, and Hows and Healthy Retail Opportunities

Small Grains for Small Farms, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Steve Jones, Jeffrey Endelman, Lucas Patzek, Karen Hills, Janet Matanguihan.

Small Fruit Horticulture Program, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Tom Walters. An overview of the Small Fruit Hort program: who we are, what we do and why we do it; research and extension programs; a quick overview of the WSU Extension tech to teach workshop.

Weed Science in the Middle East, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Tim Miller.
Amman, Jordan, March of 2008: part of a US Department of Defense-funded program to train Iraqi Extension personnel currently employed by the Ministry of Agriculture of Iraq.

Starting an Extension Specialist Career from the Ground Up, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenter: Dr. Lindsey du Toit.
How do you begin to establish a successful career as an extension specialist? How do you determine areas of research? Who are your stakeholders and how to connect?

Vegetable Horticulture Program, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. Presenters: Carol Miles and Sacha Johnson.
An overview of the research and extension programs; alternative crops and organic cropping systems; the Bean/Cowpea CRSP in East Africa; the multi-state SCRI project to investigate biodegradable mulches and high tunnels.

Brown Bag Seminar, Musings of a Professional Student: A Road to Everywhere. Sakuma Auditorium. Presenter: Dr. Lynell Tanigoshi.

From Anthropology, to Plant Science, to Corn Breeding, to International Grant Making: A Path Not Expected. Sakuma Auditorium. Presenter: Dr. Brian Love, Program Officer; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Development | Agricultural Development | Science & Technology
Further Info: WSU Mount Vernon Special Seminar

Brown Bag Seminar, Human Dimensions of the Environment from Honey Bees to Storm Water in Its Role in Extension Outreach Education. Dr. Tim Lawrence, WSU Island County Extension Director. Extension education and research have expanded to many areas in recent years and is no longer constrained to just agriculture, community development, and family and consumer sciences. Tim discusses future directions and areas of research and education as a County Extension administrator and educator.