Entomology: Current research projects include insect and mite pest management in small fruits, nurseries, greenhouses, potato and the classic biological control of the exotic cherry bark tortrix.  Research and extension activities are focused toward the facilitation and implementation of ecologically based integrated pest management to economically control arthropod pests of the above-mentioned agricultural commodities through selective pesticides, augmentative releases and conservation of predatory mites and parasitic wasps when deemed appropriate.

Small Fruit Horticulture: The Small Fruit Horticulture program’s research and extension efforts focus on improving the sustainability and profitability of small fruit production, particularly blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. We are especially interested in crop health and freedom from soil-borne pathogens. Our current projects include fumigation alternatives for berry growers, methyl bromide alternatives for raspberry nurseries, growing strawberries in high tunnels, and variety trials.

Tree Fruit and Grape Horticulture: The Tree Fruit and Grape Program is interested in identifying new alternative fruit crops that grow well and offer profitable alternatives for growers in our region.  Small farmers looking for value added and sustainable practices have been a target audience for our research. Our research includes hard cider, wine grape cultivars for very cool mesoclimates, and unique tree fruit types.  New projects that we are pursuing are organic wine grape growing, mechanized hard cider apple harvesting, perry pears, and cherries grown under high tunnels and rain covers.  

Plant Breeding: The plant breeding program concentrates on crops that fit into diverse annual and perennial rotations on small and mid-sized farms. Farmer participatory approaches and other innovative methods are utilized to improve crops such as small grains and organic hops. Research is prioritized to favor those groups and crops that are not being served by conventional research programs and approaches.

Vegetable Horticulture: The Vegetable Horticulture Program is focused on developing, testing and promoting high value, organic and sustainable vegetable production systems. The program contributes to the Mount Vernon Center’s commitment to explore and create new agricultural products and systems that will be economically viable in a changing world. Through our program we have developed new information for numerous vegetable crops including edamame, niche market dry beans, wasabi, baby corn, bamboo, icebox watermelon, winter-grown lettuce, and high-tunnel tomatoes.

Vegetable Pathology: WSU’s Vegetable Pathology program at NWREC near Mount Vernon, focuses on: (i) biology and management of fungal and oomycete diseases of fresh and processing vegetables with emphasis on red potatoes, green peas, and high-value specialty vegetables; (ii) scientific publications and translating research findings to professional, agricultural and grower audiences; and, (iii) vegetable disease diagnosis and control recommendations.

Vegetable Seed Pathology: The Vegetable Seed Pathology program focuses on diseases that affect small-seeded vegetable seed crops grown in the Pacific Northwest USA. These high value, high risk seed crops produce up to 50% of the US supply & 20-50% of the world supply of seed for ~35 vegetables. Approximately 90 countries import vegetable seed from this region. The vegetable seed pathology program helps contribute towards a sustainable and secure food supply by providing research and outreach on the etiology, biology, epidemiology, and management of diseases caused by fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens of these crops.

Weed Science: The weed science program at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC is focused on providing management solutions for problem weeds in western Washington.  Controlling any one of the dozens of non-native weedy species in this region in any particular crop or in forest or rangelands is difficult, but control of all using any single herbicide or other weed control tactic is impossible.  Consequently, weed control research at WSU Mount Vernon has centered on managing a changing weed spectrum through an integrated weed management strategy, including chemical, cultural, mechanical, and biological methods.