Community Encouraged To Meet Soil Health Chair Candidates

Washington State University is interviewing candidates for the Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping Systems position, and both will give industry seminars and answer questions this week in Othello.

Backed by a more-than-$3 million fund created by potato growers, processors, and suppliers, WSU created the Distinguished Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping Systems back in 2020.  The role is focused on irrigated agriculture, including the need to better understand and protect the soil we rely on to grow potatoes, a critical part of our global food supply.  The position opened when Dr. Steve Culman left WSU to become the Director of the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center back in October. 

The two candidates for the opening are: 

• Dr. Amber Moore on Tuesday, March 18, 2:00 - 4:00 PM  
• Dr. Joey Blankinship on Friday, March 21, 10:00 - 12:00 PM 

Dr. Amber Moore is an Associate Professor and Extension Soil Fertility Specialist at Oregon State University, holding a Master's and Ph.D. in Soil Science from North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on applied soil fertility, with a specialization in potatoes, nutrient management, and liming practices to enhance soil health and maximize crop productivity. With faculty roles at both the University of Idaho and OSU, she has led innovative research and Extension programs that provide direct benefits to growers across the Pacific Northwest. Through her work, she delivers science-based solutions that help farmers optimize nutrient use, improve soil conditions, and sustain high-yield, high-quality crops in Oregon and beyond.

Dr. Joseph "Joey" Blankinship is an Associate Professor of Soil Health and Soil Ecology in the College of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Arizona. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia, followed by a Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University and postdocs at University of California at Merced and Santa Barbara. Since joining University of Arizona in 2017, his research has addressed desert soil health problems and solutions. His team's current research tackles urgent environmental and agricultural challenges in drylands that are linked to soil health, including dust pollution, ecological restoration, soil organic matter dynamics, salinity and disease management, food quality, and improving the efficiencies of water and fertilizer use. During his 2023-24 sabbatical, Joey became the Founding Director of the Desert Agriculture Soil Health Initiative, a grassroots industry partnership to sustain the productivity and profitability of desert agricultural systems by enhancing production efficiencies and validating regenerative, soil health-enhancing practices relevant to arid and seimiarid climates. 

Both seminar and Q&A sessions will take place at the:

WSU Honey Bee Facility
1485 W Cunningham Road
Othello, WA

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com