WSU Working with Farmers to Adjust to Climate Change

Agriculture is one of the most sensitive businesses to climate change and researchers at WSU are working with farmers to more efficiently and sustainably work their crops.

Professor of Crop and Soil Sciences Bill Pan said in many cases, growers have already made changes and want to help the environment.

“We all recognize though that they have to stay in business so if we can identify these win-win scenarios that are better for the farming economics and also help to make the cropping systems more flexible and adaptable to changes, everybody comes out ahead.”

Challenges still persist though since each farm is unique and has a differing eco-system that will react to recommendations differently.

Pan said they mostly work with nitrogen and soil management, crop rotations and the use of organic materials when possible.

“How we can really emphasize cropping systems that will help the system better store water and nutrients and make it accessible to crops.”

Pan works with the Regional Approaches to Climate Change, or REACCH, project by hosting workshops and field days to assist farmers.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.