Soil Sciences

Sept. 22-24: Public invited to help plan for sea level rise

By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences SEATTLE – Community workshops to design a “blue greenway” to help the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods adapt to rising tides associated with climate change will be held Sept. 22-24 at Seattle Community College’s Georgetown campus in C222.

A win-win for farmers and slowing climate change

By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PULLMAN, Wash. – Climate change is already transforming agriculture in Washington. To help farmers deal with climate change, Bill Pan, a Washington State University professor of crop and soil sciences, is talking to them about ways to both adapt to changes and slow them down.

Hope for saving salmon lies in reducing stormwater pollution

SEATTLE, Wash. – Salmon exposed to toxic stormwater can die in a matter of hours. But preliminary new findings by Washington State University researchers suggest that bioretention systems, such as rain gardens, that filter out contaminants from stormwater runoff are key for preventing lethal impacts on fish.

Scientists publish case study for growing food on Mars

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – Scientists at Washington State University and the University of Idaho are helping students figure out how to farm on Mars, much like astronaut Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, attempts in the critically acclaimed movie “The Martian.”

Fulbright winner will improve rice by decontaminating soil

By Amy Veneziano, Undergraduate Education PULLMAN, Wash. – Having studied soil contamination and its effect on food sources worldwide, it seems fitting that Ph.D. student Patrick Freeze of Washington State University should win a Fulbright grant during the United Nations International Year of Soil.

April 14: Energy generation from food, animal waste

By Kate Halstead, WSU Extension MONROE, Wash. – On-site generation of energy and soil enhancements from organic waste will be demonstrated at a free Anaerobic Digestion Bioenergy Field Day 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Willie Green’s Organic Farm, 19501 Tualco Rd., Monroe, (www.williegreens.org).

Conservation buffers please the eye, protect the landscape

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PULLMAN, Wash. – Researchers know that adding natural buffers to the farm landscape can stop soil from vanishing. Now a scientist at Washington State University has found that more buffers are better, both for pleasing the eye and slowing erosion.

Winter soil testing, research aid spinach seed growers

By Cathy McKenzie, WSU Mount Vernon MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Soil from area growers is being tested through mid-February at Washington State University Mount Vernon to determine field suitability for planting spinach seed in spring. Meanwhile, related spinach disease research recently was accepted for publication.