The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Washington State University opened a 100,000-square-foot plant research facility in Pullman, Washington on October 14. The facility houses four ARS research units focused on addressing agricultural challenges facing dryland and irrigated crop production in the Pacific Northwest.
The facility, called the USDA-ARS Plant Bioscience Research Building, houses the Wheat Health, Genetics, and Quality unit; Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology; Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems; and Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing. Collectively, the researchers will work on developing crop varieties and farming practices that improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
"By bringing federal and university researchers together under one roof, we are accelerating the discoveries and innovations that U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers need to thrive," said ARS Administrator Joon Park.
The partnership between ARS and WSU began in 1931 and has produced significant results for the region's agricultural industry. Past accomplishments include development of wheat breeding lines with resistance to multiple pests and diseases, food-grade winter peas that can be planted in the fall, and the establishment of the WSU Cook Agronomy Farm Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site, which has improved soil health, water use efficiency, and crop productivity through precision and regenerative farming practices.