The WSU-Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center
WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC is located in the Skagit Valley of northwestern Washington, midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. The region is well known for its scenic beauty, the Cascade Mountain Range, and Puget Sound. This five-county area supports a diverse agriculture, including dairy and livestock industries, and the production of over 60 fresh market and processing crops on approximately 100,000 + acres. Blueberries, red raspberries, strawberries; cabbage seed, spinach seed, table beet seed and over 20 other vegetable and grass seed crops; cucumbers, green peas, red and yellow potatoes and other specialty vegetables; specialty apple and grape cultivars; tulips, daffodils and irises; turf, nursery and greenhouse crops; and, various small grain crops flourish here because of the rich soils and mild, marine climate. WSU-NWREC receives support from the allied agricultural and horticultural industries, small farmers, and garden enthusiasts. Preservation of open space and farmland in an urbanizing environment is a key issue for the region.
Established in 1947
WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC is one of four off-campus WSU Research and Extension Centers operated by the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). Established in 1947, WSU-NWREC has a long tradition of serving western Washington’s agricultural and horticultural communities. During the early years of World War II, scientists at the Center were able to successfully combat devastating diseases of beet and cabbage seed crops. Impressed by the value of research-based information, the community, including farmers, seed companies, processing firms and civic groups raised funds for a permanent facility. Today, WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC encompasses 130+ acres of land and 18,000+ square feet of laboratory, office, and greenhouse space. The Center houses research and extension programs in entomology, extension fruit horticulture, small fruit horticulture, vegetable pathology, vegetable seed pathology and weed science, and addresses the varied and complex needs of a diverse plant industry.
Research at WSU-NWREC
Cooperative research between scientists at WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC and other sites, as well as regional, national and international collaboration, enhances the work of all. Currently, collaborative projects on alternative crops, carrots, green peas, onions, potatoes, raspberries, tree fruits, wine grapes, wine- and hard cider- making, and riparian buffers are generating results that are applicable throughout the Pacific Northwest. Additional programs in agricultural economics/marketing, entomology, vegetable horticulture, and water quality are anticipated in the future. Cooperative and interdisciplinary research and extension activities involve personnel in the Northwest Washington Extension District, other WSU locations in the state, faculty at other universities, and various public agencies, organizations and volunteer groups. Research and extension activities are funded by grants obtained from local, regional and national sources.
Olson Heritage Farm House
The 2004 renovation of the Olson Heritage Farm House now provides housing for WSU graduate students and visiting scientists. Originally built in 1913 by Anders Olof (Andrew) and Maria Olson at a cost of $2,000, the house and surrounding eight acres were purchased by the Skagit Farm Bureau in 1999 as part of the “Land Security” project to ensure the future of research at the Center. Senator Patty Murray led the effort to secure HUD funds to reimburse the Farm Bureau. That year, Mr. Allan Osberg of Seattle, Olson’s grandson, donated $155,000 to Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland to renovate the house in memory of his grandparents. In 2003, the property was transferred to WSU and the house was remodeled to university standards.
The New A.R.T.B.
Considerable planning was done towards construction of the Agricultural Research & Technology Building which includes offices, modern laboratories, new greenhouse bays, an auditorium and demonstration kitchen. Construction on the new ~18,000+ sq ft building was completed in Fall 2006. The building improves working conditions, insures that modern technologies/methods can be employed in research activities, allows the Center to be more competitive in soliciting external funding, helps attract additional potential collaborators and research partners, and improves faculty/staff recruitment capability. The project totals ~$8 million: $6 million was provided by WSU; $1+ million was raised through private donations, and nearly $1 million was allocated by the Port of Skagit, Skagit County, and Whatcom County.
Faculty and Staff
The main objectives of the faculty and staff at WSU-Mount Vernon NWREC are to solve plant-related problems, and develop cost-effective and environmentally-sound plant production practices based directly on results from experimental field, greenhouse and laboratory research trials. Faculty and staff work hard to educate stakeholders at workshops and field days, and via demonstration gardens and written and web-based materials.
WSU Apiary and Display Gardens
WSU-NWREC hosts a Volunteer Display Garden which occupies10 acres of land and involves volunteers from three western Washington gardening groups including: The Skagit County Master Gardeners, The Salal Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society, and The Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation. The purpose of the Garden is to provide educational opportunities for the public through hands-on viewing, exhibits and gardening experiences. An apiary is maintained with the assistance of the Washington State Beekeepers Association, the Skagit Valley Beekeepers Association, the Northwest District Beekeepers Association, the Stanwood-Camano Beekeepers Association, and the Mt. Baker Beekeepers Association.