By Scott Weybright
A nearly 100-year collaboration has culminated in a new building that could lead to improved foods for people across the country and the world.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Washington State University are opening the USDA-ARS Plant Bioscience Research Building on the WSU Pullman campus, with an official ribbon cutting on Oct. 14.
“This new Plant Bioscience Research Building opens a new chapter in the nearly century-long partnership between ARS and WSU. 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. This facility reflects our shared commitment to advancing plant and soil science in ways that strengthen the agricultural prosperity of Washington state, the Northwest region, and ultimately American agriculture for generations to come,” said ARS Administrator Joon Park.
The WSU-ARS relationship dates back to 1931 and the famed USDA scientist, and WSU alum Orville Vogel.
“Vogel was an architect of the green revolution that led to huge food production gains for the world,” said David Weller, a research leader in the ARS Wheat Health, Genetics, and Quality Research Unit. “This new building is part of a through line from his work to the scientific partnership between the two institutions today.”
Source : wsu.edu