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Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center

WSU debuts flavorful, easy-to-harvest new raspberry, Cascade Premier

By Seth Truscott
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Republished from WSU News

Raspberries growing on canes.
Early fruiting with good yield and flavor, firm fruit, good root rot tolerance, and machine harvestable, WSU’s newest raspberry cultivar is named Cascade Premier.

Bright, flavorful, and bred for easy automated harvest, Washington State University’s new red raspberry variety, “Cascade Premier,” is more than a decade in the making.

First crossed in 2007 from two WSU experimental varieties, and released to growers in 2018, the new variety has continually shown promise in its bounty, disease resistance and growing qualities.

Now in its debut year, Cascade Premier’s first full harvest is expected in summer 2021.

Of the 10 raspberry varieties that Puyallup-based small fruit breeder Patrick Moore has released in his 31 years at WSU, “this is one of the best,” he said.

“It’s unusual to get something that’s this flavorful, firm, colorful, easy releasing, and resistant to disease,” Moore added. “This one hits all the sweet spots.” » More …

Dr. John Stark among WSU faculty elected to Washington State Academy of Sciences

Eight faculty from Washington State University have been elected to membership in the Washington State Academy of Sciences, an organization that advances science in the state and informs public policy.

The new members come from WSU campuses across the state and represent a range of scientific specialties. They’ll be officially inducted in September, in a ceremony at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. » More …

Markus Flury wins soil physics medal

Dr. Markus Flury taking a soil sample.
Soil scientist Markus Flury takes soil samples at the Hanford nuclear reservation, studying movement of radioactive compounds.

For more than 20 years, Markus Flury has studied how the soil and water under our feet interact, influencing the food we eat and the water we drink.

Now, the Washington State University soil scientist’s achievements have earned him a prestigious accolade from the Soil Science Society of America: The Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award. » More …

PhD student given Award of Excellence by GPSA

Man in suit stands next to a research poster.
Henry Sintim

Congratulations are in order for Henry Sintim, a PhD candidate in the Crop and Soil Sciences program at WSU Puyallup.

Sintim was recently selected for the Award of Excellence by The Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) for his accomplishments and contributions as a Research Assistant during the 2016-2017 academic year. » More …

Graduate Student Wins Alexander A. Smick Scholarship

Andrea Garfinkel
Graduate student Andrea Garfinkel

WSU Puyallup REC would like to congratulate graduate student Andrea Garfinkel for being selected as a 2017 Alexander A. Smick Scholarship in Rural Community Service and Development winner.

Garfinkel was selected for not just her impressive application but also her commitment to rural community service and agricultural outreach in Alaska. Since 2013 she and her advisor, Dr. Gary Chastagner, have traveled to Alaska at least once per growing season to meet with farmers—many being first-time farmers who benefit immensely from Garfinkel and Chastagner’s knowledge and experience. » More …

Faculty Member Receives NRCS Grant

WSU Puyallup Animal Sciences faculty member Joe Harrison has been selected as a grant recipient through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program. NRCS is a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture

Joe Harrison is an Animal Sciences faculty member at WSU Puyallup.
Joe Harrison is an Animal Sciences faculty member at WSU Puyallup.

Dr. Harrison will receive $460,010 from NRCS to support his project—“Mobile System for Nutrient (Phosphorus) Recovery and Cost Efficient Nutrient Transport.” The project has also received an additional $150,000 in match funding from the Washington Dairy industry. » More …