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The turfgrass science program at WSU is ensuring that the grass is greener on both sides of Washington state, with a strong Pullman-based teaching/research program headed by Bill Johnston, and a strong Westside Extension/research program lead by Gwen Stahnke and Eric Miltner. I am pleased to dedicate the 2005/06 CSS Newsletter to a founding father of the WSU Extension turfgrass program, Dr. Roy Goss. In recognition of Dr. Goss’ key role in establishing the program and

also in recognition of Roy and his wife, Marcie for their continuing ardent financial support of turfgrass research and education, we will be naming Farm #5 at WSU-Puyallup as “The Goss Research Farm” on July 25, 2006. We look forward to celebrating these remarkable achievements and contributions.

Some other remarkable events headlined 2005. Many of our state and USDA faculty moved into the new Plant Biosciences Building that adjoins Johnson Hall along Stadium Way. Gov. Christine Gregoire delivered the keynote address at the grand opening, extolling the key role plant sciences will play in underpinning Washington agriculture and the Washington economy. Integrated cereal genetics and breeding programs that attract industry and federally competitive funding are promi-nently housed in this state-of-the-art facility. The Governor also challenged us to provide solutions to the current energy crunch by developing viable biofuel and bioproduct crops. The Governor’s office has consulted with Hal Collins, WSU adjunct soil scientist (class of ‘87) and a leading advocate for oilseed production in the irrigated Columbia Basin. In Yakima, the Governor invited Hal to stand behind her during her announcement of her proposal for the Washington renewable fuel standard, mandating an average 2 percent biodiesel and 2 percent ethanol in Washington state, the second state in the nation to approve such a standard. We look to cellulosic straws and grains for potential ethanol feedstocks. In what may turn into the second “green revolution,” the new challenge for Washington farmers may well be to fuel as well as feed the world.

Gov. Gregoire also honored us with a second visit to our Organic Farm Project at Tukey Orchards where she listened to John Reganold and Brad Jaeckel review the current status of organic agriculture and the new teaching farm and community garden. The Governor also heard about our efforts to establish the first un-dergraduate major in organic agriculture, to be offered in Fall 2006. This major will be offered within a new Agriculture and Food Systems degree. Cathy Perillo is coordinating the new degree with major leadership from Jim Durfey, Marv Kleene and Mike Swan, newly transferred faculty and students into CSS that bring Agricultural Education, Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Technology/Management and the MS in Agricultural Sciences into CSS.

It was a banner year for CSS faculty tenure and promotions, as Eric Miltner was tenured and promoted to Associate Scientist,

Bill Schillinger was promoted to Scientist and E-4 Extension Specialist, while Kulvinder Gill, Steve Jones and Kim Kidwell were all promoted to Professor and Scientist.

Rod Bertramson, former chair and a CSS icon for over 55 years, passed away at the age of 91. Rod was a tireless supporter of CSS, WSU and the Pullman community, and he will be greatly missed. Harry Schafer, agricultural research technician III, retired after 12 years of outstanding service with Bill Schillinger’s dryland cropping systems program.

We were honored to present the third annual Gaylon Campbell Lecture in Environmental Soil and Water Science in November 2005. Masaru Mizoguchi, associate professor of soil physics and soil hydrology at the University of Tokyo, and Takeshi Ishizaki, director of the Department of Conservation Science, National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, discussed their work researching the deterioration of cultural properties, as well as technology regarding soil moisture monitoring.

Crop breeders from Cornell, Iowa State and the University of Wisconsin came to Pullman to discuss crop breeding in the public interest at the first Robert E. Allan Plant Breeding Symposium on April 18, 2005. The symposium honors Bob, who retired from the USDA-ARS in 1996 after 38 years. Bob still maintains an active research program and is highly regarded by both faculty and stu-dents. The symposium recognizes Allan’s longtime and continuing contributions to WSU and the Pacific Northwest’s wheat industry.

The 50th anniversary of the founding of Spillman Agronomy Farm was a great success with over 330 in attendance. Special thanks to co-chairs Steve Jones and John Burns, as well as Debra Marsh and the entire anniversary committee, for planning and organizing this spectacular event. Participants were delighted at the greeting by Butch the Cougar. Rep. Cathy McMorris kicked off the event with a few words from the deck of a 1953 Farmall Cub tractor, followed by Spillman biographer Laurie Carlson. It was a day of nostalgia and new technology, as evidenced by the historical equipment and photos on display, in contrast with the revolutionary discussions during tours presented by our world-class scientists. For many, it was the first opportunity to meet and welcome our new CAHNRS dean, Dan Bernardo, an agricultural economist from Kansas State University and a WSU Alumni. It also gave us an opportunity to say thanks to Jim Cook for his tireless and inspired leadership in CSS and CAHNRS as interim dean. While Jim has formally retired, he in-tends to remain active in an advisory capacity to the Governor and to CSS and Plant Pathology in future planning of research activities at the CSS agronomy farm.

Bill Pan, Chair, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences

Bill Pan, Chair

The Grass is Greener on Both Sides

Front Cover: Tim Ansett (left), Northwest Turfgrass Association president, presents a plaque to honor

Roy and Marcella Goss for their contributions at the 59th Annual NTA Conference at Sun River, OR in 2005.

(L-R) Mike Swan, Marv Kleene, and Jim Durfey

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Collaboration Awarded: ‘Wheat Applied Genomics’By Kim Garland Campbell, USDA-ARS Wheat Geneticist

Wheat breeders collaborate to exchange germplasm and ideas across the nation at a level that is often envied by peers in other major crops like soybean, cotton and corn. This collaboration was rewarded in December 2005 when a group of 17 breeders and four USDA-ARS regional small grains genotyping laboratories received a $5 million USDA-CSREES-Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) grant titled ‘Wheat Applied Genomics”.

The goal of the four-year project is to use biotechnology tools to rap-idly incorporate new, valuable genes into new wheat varieties. Locally, the spring wheat breeding program of Kim Kidwell and the USDA-ARS Regional Small Grains Genotyping Laboratory under the leadership of Kim Garland Campbell are receiving funding to conduct marker assisted selection (MAS) and map genetic markers linked to stripe rust resistance genes.

Steve Jones, Kulvinder Gill, Xianming Chen and Craig Morris are also collaborating with the project by developing new populations for molecular analysis and providing data on disease, quality and agro-nomic characteristics. Kidwell, Jones and Gill are professors in the WSU Department of Crop and Soil Science. Campbell, Chen and Morris are research scientists with the USDA-ARS at Pullman. The project is led by Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky at UC-Davis. Kidwell’s major focus for the project is developing spring wheat culti-vars with new genes for resistance to stripe rust, pythium and rhizocto-nia and Hessian fly. Grain quality also will be improved with new genes for high grain protein and novel starch characteristics.

In the high throughput USDA-ARS Western Regional Small Grains Genotyping Laboratory, Campbell will provide genotype analysis for wheat breeders in California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washing-ton. The lab, located on the WSU campus, was initially funded in 2004 through the efforts of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the National Wheat Improvement Committee to provide genotyp-ing services to wheat and barley breeders in the Western Region.

Education is a major focus of the project with hands-on workshops to introduce MAS technology to wheat growers and industry personnel and to college and high school students. This project also includes an extensive outreach component to share with growers and end-users information about the advantages and limitations of MAS. Graduate and undergraduate students will be trained in modern and traditional breeding techniques to prepare the next generation of U.S. breeders. This integrated project will provide lasting benefits to U.S. agriculture through improved varieties and germplasm and improve the ability of U.S. wheat breeding programs to capitalize on advances in genomics.

The central technology that will be incorporated in this project is called Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). Molecular markers are landmarks in the chromosome maps that can be used to monitor the transfer of specific chromosome segments known to carry useful agronomic traits. Breeders use these molecular markers to increase the precision of selection for the best trait combinations. Since genes are transferred from the same species by normal crossing between wheat parent lines followed by recombination in segregating progenies, the varieties developed by MAS are not considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and are accepted by all local and international wheat markets.

Contents

Cover story: A Tribute to the King of Turfgrass: Roy Goss

Retired Extension educator spent a career helping to develop Washington’s turfgrass industry; now WSU is naming its primary turfgrass farm at Puyallup in his honor……………................... Page 5

CSS News $5 million USDA grant supports wheat genomics ............................................. Page 3

Fighting Asian soy rust .................................. Page 4

In Memoriam: Dr. Rod Bertramson ................ Page 4

CAHNRS awards ............................................ Page 5

Features

Turfgrass R&E gets at science……...........…… Page 6

Turfies want to chat………………..............… Page 6

Bill Johnston celebrates 25 years……......…… Page 7

Where Are They Now?

Catch up with CSS alums, Brett and Karen Sowers………....................................... Page 8

Graduates………...............……..........…… Page 9

Scholarships…………………………….... Page 10

Donor Roll………………………………… Page 11

The Opportunity to Make a Difference

CSS student Tabitha Brown just completed her science policy internship with the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of American and the Soil Science Society of America. ………………..........……...…… Page 12

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WSU Research Suggests Herbicide May Suppress Asian Soybean Rust By Dennis Brown and Kathy Barnard, CAHNRS Information Department

In the process of studying fungal pathogens in wheat, Kim Kidwell, a spring wheat breeder; graduate student Jamie Baley; and Tim Paulitz, a plant pathologist with the USDA-ARS, Pullman, found that glyphosate suppressed Asian soy rust in preliminary green-house trials when glyphosate-resistant soybeans were treated. The USDA confirmed the first detection of the pathogen in the continental United States last fall. The greenhouse trials were conducted at the USDA-ARS Fort Detrick, MD, location where the USDA has facilities to work with foreign pathogens under bio-containment.

WSU has applied for U.S. and international patent protection and, through its Washington State Research Foundation, intends to license this intellectual property broadly. The foundation already has reached a preliminary agreement with Monsanto Co., the producer of glyphosate-based Roundup agricultural herbicides.

In Memory: Dr. Rod Bertramson

B. Rodney Bertramson, 91, long-time chairman of the WSU agronomy department and director of resident instruction of the College of Agriculture, died March 23, 2005, at Sa-cred Heart Medical Center in Spokane following a fall in Pullman the previous afternoon.

Bertramson was born on a livestock and grain farm near Potter, Neb., on Jan. 25, 1914, to James W. and Gladys Nelson Bertramson. He received his B.S. in agronomy and M.S. in soils from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In 1938, he married Eleanor Maloney of Omaha, Neb. Bertramson went on to further graduate study at Oregon State University where he earned his doctorate in soils in 1941.

After working with the Soil Conservation Service in Rapid City, S.D., and teaching at Colorado State University for a short time, Bertramson was drafted in 1942 as a first lieutenant. He served as food and agriculture officer for the Rhineland and Gross Hessen regions in Germany. His job was to set up an administrative organization for food and general agriculture.

After his discharge in 1946, he worked at the University of Wisconsin as an assistant soils scientist, but later that year moved to Purdue University as an associate soil chemist and assistant soils scientist.

Bertramson became the chairman of the WSU agronomy department in 1949 and served in this capacity for 18 years. He was appoint-ed director of resident instruction of the College of Agriculture in 1967, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1979.

During 30 years at WSU, Bertramson worked closely with a number of agriculture associations within the state and region. His adminis-tration was also identified with several historically significant events, including the release of high yielding Gaines wheat developed by Dr. Orville A. Vogel.

Bertramson was the author or co-author of numerous articles published in various trade magazines and was active in many professional and honorary agricultural organizations. In 1960, he was elected vice president of the American Society of Agronomy and in 1961 served as president. Later, Bertramson was elected a fellow of the ASA. He also served as the President of the Agronomic Science Foundation and editor of the Journal of Agronomic Education. In 1978, Bertramson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

He was active in Pullman civic affairs, serving in the Kiwanis Club, as president of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, resident of the Pullman Community Hospital Corp. and as a member of the Pullman City Council. In 2003, he received the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Modern Hall of Fame award for his service to the community and the chamber.

Surviving family members include his wife Eleanor of Pullman, son Jim of Durango, Colo.; daughter Susan Bertramson-Thomson of Sandpoint, Idaho; six grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren.

Jerry Hjelle, vice president for Monsanto Worldwide Regulatory Affairs, cautioned that the data is preliminary and advises soybean producers use fungicides labeled for treatment of Asian soybean rust.

The research was funded by a USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant and WSU.

“This discovery embodies WSU’s mission and values as Washing-ton’s land-grant university,” said Jim Petersen, WSU vice provost for research. “Through its technology transfer system and the support provided by the research foundation, WSU research programs are advancing the nation’s economy and ensuring the global competi-tiveness of agricultural products.”

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CAHNRS Honors CSS Faculty, Staff, Students

Several CSS faculty, staff, and students received College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Science Excellence Awards in 2005.

Kim Kidwell, professor and scientist, received the R.M. Wade Foundation Award for excellence in teaching and learning. Gary Shelton, research technologist supervisor with the spring wheat breeding program, received the classified staff excellence award. Matt Williams, B.S. candidate (crop science-turf option), was named the outstanding senior in Crop Sciences. Matt is currently pursuing graduate studies in turf management at WSU. Additionally, Mike Erickson, B.S. candidate (crop science), received the ASA outstanding student in Crop Science from WSU. Mike has since landed a position with Eureka Seeds in Anatone, Wash.

Gary Shelton and Kim Kidwell

A Tribute to the King of Turfgrass: Roy Goss

For 30 years, Extension educator Roy Goss worked to establish the first research and Extension programs in turfgrass sciences in the state. Now, Washington State University is honoring that work and the man behind it by naming the primary turfgrass farm at Puyallup in his honor.

On July 25, 2006 WSU will celebrate his accomplishments at a spe-cial celebration scheduled as part of the annual field day being held at WSU-Puyallup this year. Friends, family, professional colleagues, students and industry representatives will gather to see the official renaming of Farm 5 there to “The Goss Research Farm” in honor of the many contributions Roy has made to turfgrass research and Extension, as well as for the generous gifts he and his wife, Marcie, have made to WSU. The Gosses established the Roy L. Goss Turfgrass Endowment Scholarship and are WSU Laureates.

Goss established the first research and Extension program in turfgrass sciences at WSU’s Western Washington Research and Extension Center in 1958, and served in the position for 30 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in agriculture at WSU in 1950 and 1960, respectively.

Encouraged by Professors J.K. Patterson and Alvin G. Law to pursue a turfgrass scientific program, Roy conducted research on turfgrass diseases and other issues such as climate injury and nutri-ent deficiencies. He evaluated turfgrass varieties that were hardier than the bentgrasses, fescues, ryegrasses, and bluegrasses in general use at that time.

Roy’s research on nutrition and diseases is widely published and highly regarded by industry professionals. His contributions to the turfgrass industry have been recognized and adopted at national and international levels. He was instrumental in keeping the Northwest Turfgrass Association (NTA), a major funding support system for turfgrass research, active through his role as Executive Director for many years. Roy was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1978 by the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America, and the U.S. Golf Association Green Section Award in 1988. He also received the Pacific Seedsmen Association “Man of the Year” award, and the O.A. Vogel Faculty Award at WSU.

Born in 1926 in Weslaco, Texas, he was one of four brothers and six sisters on a sharecropper farm. He developed his strong work ethic, economic values, and desire to help others there. He served in the Navy during World War II and joined WSU in the fall of 1948. Roy prepared for a career as a vocational agricultural instructor and taught at Tenino for two years, then went to work for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Wenatchee. He enrolled in graduate school at WSU in September 1955 to pursue a Ph.D. in agronomy and was appointed to the turfgrass specialist position at the Western Wash-ington Experiment Station in Puyallup in June 1958 while complet-ing his degree. He remained at WSU Puyallup until his retirement in January 1988.

Roy and Marcie established the Roy L. Goss Turfgrass Endowment in 1988 to demonstrate their support for research and higher education, and to honor Roy’s distinguished career with WSU. Their gifts support programs directly related to increasing the knowledge and application of turfgrass science and management in the Pacific Northwest. Roy continues to maintain his interest in turfgrass programs and is a Master Gardener volunteer in Okanogan County, where he and Marcella reside.

More information about the July 25, 2006 celebration is available by contacting Extension specialist Gwen Stahnke at (253) 445-4513 or stahnke@wsu.edu.

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WSU Turf Club—Stronger than ever!

The WSU Turf Club, a 25- member student chapter of GCSAA, is stronger than ever and remains dedicated to expanding the knowl-edge base of its members, raising money for travel and providing community service. In 2005, five club members attended the GCSAA show in Orlando; six will attend the 2006 show in Atlanta.

Early in fall 2005, the Turf Club had the opportunity to renovate the “K” House (Common Ministry at WSU) lawn surrounding this popular stop on campus in preparation for its 40th anniversary celebration. Additional service learning projects included Cougar Pride Day, Junior Preview and FFA recruitment booths.

Another highlight of the fall semester was playing host to Larry Gilhuly, USGA director of the Northwest Green Section, who spoke on trends in turfgrass management.

The Turf Club also hosted a successful fall golf tournament at Colfax Golf Club, and plans are underway for a spring golf tournament at the Glendale Country Club located in the Seattle area. Funds raised from these tournaments aid students with travel expenses to the golf industry show and other educational outings.

Turf alums are encouraged to visit the Turf Club web site (http:// turf.wsu.edu) to learn of future activities and events, officer/contact information, fundraising merchandise, as well as a link to the recently established MSN group for “Turfies” past and present. The MSN group will provide a communication link between current students and turf alumni, as well as a means for sharing internship and job opportunities.

Sign up—drop in! We want to chat with you!

Turfgrass Research and Extension Program at WSU Puyallup Gets at Science Supporting Turfgrass Management

Turfgrass makes an important contribution to quality of life for millions of Washington resi-dents. It is ubiquitous in residen-tial and commercial landscapes, and is the basis for recreational facilities, including golf courses,

sports fields, school grounds and parks. The goal of the WSU turf program in Puyallup is to generate and provide science-based information on all aspects of turfgrass management to industry pro-fessionals and all Washington residents. Turf faculty at the Research and Extension center are Gwen Stahnke, associate professor and extension specialist; and Eric Miltner, associate scientist.

Current research can be classified into two main categories: turf-grass cultural management, and turfgrass impacts on water quality. Management studies include variety trials (selecting grass variet-ies adapted to our climate that can reduce the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and water), integrated pest management, effective pesticide and fertilizer use, soil cultivation and management, and traffic impacts on sports fields.

Simulated sports traffic on research plots

Recent water quality research has shown that potential input of pesticides into salmon-bearing streams on golf courses is minimal, and that surface architecture can provide effective filtering of fertilizer nutrients from runoff water.

Scientists conduct their research both on WSU’s own six-acre facility near Sumner, Wash., and on various turfgrass sites throughout the region. The research facility includes sand-based golf greens and sports turf, as well as native soils.

The Extension program provides educational programs to get research information out to the public and turfgrass professionals in a timely fashion. The Extension program also includes statewide Master Gardener training in turfgrass, pesticide education seminars, field days and a website which consolidates our information at http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/turf.

“You could cover the whole earth with asphalt, but sooner or later green grass would break through.” Ilya Ehrenburg

Completed lawn renovation at the “K” House

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Turfgrass Teaching Program Oldest in the West

Professor Al Law initiated the turfgrass teaching program at WSU in 1955. He taught a two-credit course on turfgrass culture making the WSU turfgrass program the oldest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the oldest in the western USA.

Professor Bill Johnston began teaching that turf course in 1981. At that time, there was one turf major (Bo Hepler ’82), and most of the students in the turf class were horticulture/landscape architecture majors.

Many changes took place during the next 25 years with the addi-tion of several courses to the teaching program as a direct response to student numbers in the Turfgrass Management degree option. A sign of the times, two hourlong, online courses, CropS 317 Golf Course Management and CropS 318 Athletic Field Management, have been taught from WSU-Puyallup for the last five years. Both of these courses emphasize problem solving related to environmental issues that may occur under real world situations. These courses also are available to turf professionals worldwide.

Currently there are 34 turf management option majors, accounting for 65 percent of the undergraduate enrollment in the Crop and Soil Sciences department.

Why do turf students come to WSU? For a number of reasons.

“I heard that WSU had the best turf program in the northwest and who doesn’t want to be a Coug,” said one student. “Because of the turf program and the industry’s esteem for the degree,” says another.

“I did not know what I wanted to do after high school, and I figured WSU offered me enough different opportunities that I could find something I am passionate about,” says a third.

Why do students choose to pursue a career in turfgrass manage-ment? Again, the reasons vary. Here are some:

• “I got a golf course job in high school, and the superintendent had a big impact on my life.”

• “I love to be outside in the sun, working with my hands.”

• “I am passionate about the game of golf and wanted a career in something I enjoy.”

• “I did landscape work throughout high school and learned about the turf program in Crops 101.”

Many turf majors first learned about the turf program from former CSS alums who have fond memories of WSU and stress to potential turf majors the quality, dedication, and passion for teaching of CSS faculty.

Internships provide CSS turf majors with hands-on experience in the industry. Many of these opportunities are made available by former “turfies”. In 2005, students completed internships at golf courses in Washington, Connecticut, Colorado, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina and Nevada. Others interned with the Seattle Seahawks and the Spokane Indians.

During the 2005-2006 academic year, 13 turf majors will graduate. All those who graduated in December found turf related jobs, and all of the May 2006 graduates already have turf jobs lined up.

WSU turf alums hold positions as golf course superintendents, USGA agronomists, independent turfgrass consultants, industry sales personnel, athletic field agronomists and landscape company turfgrass specialists. One, Samantha Bungart ’02, even manages the grass athletic fields for the Huskies! However, she admits to often wearing crimson and gray under the purple and gold work gear.

“Dr. J” (Bill Johnston—center), celebrates 25 years as teacher,advisor, mentor, often “father”, and friend of the WSU “Turfies”.

Extreme makeover: WSU Turfgrass Management Web

The WSU Turfgrass Management web site (http://turf.wsu.edu) has undergone an extreme makeover designed to provide information to both current and prospective students interested in turfgrass management at the undergraduate or graduate level. The site also includes a link to the WSU Turf Club web site and reports on turfgrass research conducted at WSU, as well as an awesome photo gallery. Check it out—see us in action!

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Brett Sowers, Manager, Multi-Season Program—Double Haploid, MonsantoM.S. Crop Science, 1992

Alumni Spotlight: Where are they now?

Karen, Colton, Megan, and Brett Sowers

By Hillary Templin, Academic Coordinator

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After obtaining a B.S. degree at Kansas State University, Brett Sowers came to Pullman topursue his M.S. in Crop Science. Brett enjoyed his time at WSU, studying under Dr. Robert Allan from 1990 until 1992.

Upon graduation, Brett took a job with Monsanto, working in the wheat breeding program at Wichita, Kan. He then transferred to Lafayette, Ind., and later to McCook, Neb.

When the wheat breeding program closed, Brett was asked to transfer to the Multi-SeasonProgram (MSP), Double Haploid project working with corn. The project objective is tospeed up the breeding process, getting new varieties to the market as fast as possible, by growing them in a place where several crops can be produced in one year. Brett accepted, and in 2000, moved to Kihei, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. He began as production manager, overseeing field production. In fall 2004, Brett took his current position as project manager, which he counts as a great professional achievement since he is now in charge of the whole project, not just one small aspect. With facilities on threeother islands, Molokai, Kauai and Oahu, he has the chance to travel about once a month,though never has time for sightseeing.

Brett has lived on Maui for six years, longer than anywhere else. He says the Monsantomotto should be “Join Monsanto, See the world.” He lives with his wife Karen, and theirtwo children Megan, 9 and Colton, 7. He enjoys woodworking, surfing, snorkeling, hiking,camping and is a member of a local canoe club.

Karen Sowers, M.S. Soil Science, 1992

Karen Sowers graduated from WSU in 1992, with an M.S. in Soil Science. She had earneda B.S. in Agronomy at Kansas State University, and enjoyed continuing her education atWSU under the guidance of Dr. Bill Pan. While in Pullman, Karen made lifelong friends andenjoyed working hard and playing even harder.

After graduating, Karen moved with her husband Brett, to Wichita, Kan. In Wichita,Karen worked at a garden center, botanical gardens, and an environmental analysis company. When Brett was transferred to Indiana, Karen landed a job working at PurdueUniversity as a Soil and Water Quality Extension Specialist. Calling it a very satisfying jobwhere she was able to use her degree and work directly with farmers, Karen says shewould like to do that sort of work again one day.

During the time in West Lafayette, Karen and Brett’s first child, Megan, was born. Karen continued working at Purdue until Brett was again transferred; this time to McCook,Neb. Karen looked for jobs there, but found nothing promising and when the couple’s sonColton was born, she became a full-time mom.

Now in Kihei, Hawaii, Karen continues to be a full-time mom, and volunteer. She volunteers at a 500-year-old Hawaiian fish pond, Ko’ie’ie, where she isinvolved with putting on workshops for kids of all ages, from toddlers through high school. She volunteers at her children’s school and works for a tax accountant during the busy tax season. Karen enjoys gardening, reading and any sports, especially paddling outrigger canoes. She would like to tell everyone

“Aloha from Maui!”

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Alumni Feedback

Catlynn (Swan) Salois, B.S. Crop Science, 2003. Residing at Swanton, Ohio. After graduating from WSU in the spring, I jumped right into a master’s degree program at Montana State University in Bozeman. I studied molecular biology and cereal chemistry under the direction of Dr. Mike Giroux. Bozeman was a hard place to leave, but in the spring of 2005, graduation was looming and it was time to move on. I was offered a job at Pioneer working with the new low linolenic oil quality trait (low trans fats). So, fellow alumnus and now husband, Dan Salois, and I packed our bags and moved east. I have now assumed the role of plant breeder for the Low Lin program in the eastern regions, and I am loving the new challenges of the job, always plenty to learn!

Matt Christensen, B.S.Crop Science (turf), 2004. Upon bidding a fond farewell to the Palouse, he accepted the assistant superintendent posi-tion at Aspen Lakes golf course in Sisters, Ore. Located in the central Oregon high desert, the weather is similar to Pullman. Besides taking care of the course, he spends his free time rock climbing and mountain biking.

William L. Krogsdale, M.S., 1950. Retired, and residing at Oceanside, Calif., he enjoys a little golf and some digital photography. They have many pretty roses, which are good photography subjects. He enjoyed the last CSS News; he attended those summer field trips and listened to Dr. Vogel explain about wheat growing!

Welcome New Alums December 2004Matthew D. Christensen, B.S. Crop ScienceCasey D. Krueger, B.S. Crop ScienceWeiguo Liu, Ph.D. Crop ScienceJarai Mon, Ph.D. Soil ScienceKevin M. Murphy, M.S. Crop ScienceClaudia E. Osorio, M.S. Crop ScienceEric R. Page, M.S. Crop ScienceMichael T. Pincha, B.S. Crop ScienceDaniel R. Ufnar, M.S. Soil Science

May 2005Owen S. Bacon, B.S. Crop ScienceKwang-Hyun Baek, Ph.D. Crop ScienceKristopher J. Borgman, B.S. Crop ScienceMichael R. Erickson, B.S. (summa cum laude) Crop Science Michael J.W. Hayes, B.S. Crop ScienceBlake E. Ketchum, Ph.D. Soil ScienceRyan M. Poe, B.S. Crop ScienceMatthew W. Williams, B.S. (cum laude) Crop ScienceCanming Xiao, Ph.D. Soil Science

Graduation Highlights, CSS Students—World Class

August 2005G. James Baley, Ph.D. Crop Science

December 2005Richard A. Anderson, B.S. Crop ScienceRebecca L. Hendricks Cochran, M.S. Soil ScienceHyejin Lee, M.S. Crop ScienceKunihiko Matsui, B.S. (summa cum laude) Crop ScienceGregory R. Van Hollebeke, B.S. Crop ScienceCody A. Schulke, B.S. Crop ScienceGaganpreet K. Sidhu, M.S. Crop ScienceTimothy M. Wagoner, B.S. Crop Science

Two CSS students were featured during the May and December 2005 graduation ceremonies, an honor granted to just one student per col-lege within the university. Michael Erickson, a non-traditional student, returned to college after raising his family and 22 successful years in ag business in the region. In May, 2005, he received a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Crop Science, Business and Industry Option. Kunihiko Matsui also is a non-traditional student. After studying English at WSU, he decided to pursue studies in crop science and biotechnology, in order to enhance his position and family’s business, a melon and pumpkin seed company in Japan. He previously completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Japan. In December, 2005, he received a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Crop Science, Biotechnology Option.

(L-R) Professor Steve Ullrich, Kunihiko Matsui, and Mike Erickson

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Roscoe and Frances Cox ScholarshipKyle BairHarvinder BennypaulTimothy CochranDoug CollinsMichael HeinmanLori HoaglandMarjorie JerniganBen KenoKevin MurphyLatha ReddyKevin SmithDustin WalshMatt Williams

Harry E. Goldsworthy Wheat Research FundJorgen AbelleraMatthew ArterburnHarvinder BennypaulJulie DawsonKevin MurphyLatha ReddyJennifer ReeveGaganpreet SidhuJasdeep Singh-MuttiLing Zhang

Roy L. Goss Turfgrass Endowment ScholarshipShaun KnutzenJordon FeiderMichael SellmanGregory Van Hollebeke

Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs (Mrs. Frank Greely)Kimberly Galland

Max Hinrichs Jr. ScholarshipDaniel Freeman

Max Hinrichs Sr. ScholarshipBen Keno

Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Scholarship Awards for �00�-�00�

Charles Dawson Moodie Memorial ScholarshipKyle BairDoug CollinsLori HoaglandMarjorie Jernigan

Reynolds-Biersner ScholarshipDavid AndrewsBen WilmarthBrandon WilhelmDaniel Freeman

O.A. Vogel Washington State Crop Improvement ScholarshipDustin WalshRobert Brulotte

O.A. Vogel Washington State Crop Improvement Travel GrantAleksandre LoladzeCarl Walker

Tracy Vincent-Sharp Memorial Scholarship FundJennifer Reeve

Washington-North Idaho Seed AssociationDustin Walsh

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Latha Redddy, presenting her poster titled “Mapping for Cold Tolerance in Two Recombinant Inbred Line Populations” at the 2005 ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meetings, Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Laureates ($1 million or more cumulative)Anheuser-Busch Companies, Incorporated*Lorenz BohrnsenRoy & Marcella GossNorthwest Agricultural Research Foundation, Incorporated

Benefactors ($100,000 or more cumulative)Alf Christianson Seed CompanyOtto & Doris AmenAmerican Malting Barley AssociationApplied Phytologics, IncorporatedBayer CorportionE. Donald & Jane BiersnerBusch Agricultural Resources, IncorporatedDonna Camp*Melvin CampKenneth & Bonnie ChristiansonLucille ChristiansonFerne DanielE.I. Du Pont de Nemours & CompanyFMC CorporationGlen FranklinHarry & Edith GoldsworthyGale Kicha*Allen ManringBetty ManringRoscoe and Frances Cox Charitable Trust*Wallace StaatzPatsy SundermanSyngenta Crop Protection, Inc.*Gana VaianaWashington State Dry Pea & Lentil Commission*Leonard Young

Silver Associates ($10,000 or more annual support)BASF CorporationBayer CropScience, LPE.I. Du Pont de Nemours & CompanyGlen FranklinHarry & Edith GoldsworthyRoy & Marcella GossNW Farm Credit ServicesOrganic Center for Education & Promotion*Wallace StaatzSyngenta Crop Protection, Inc.*Gana Vaiana

Crimson Society ($5,000 to $9,999 annual support)Decagon Devices, IncorporatedLincoln-Adams Crop Improvement AssociationNile Fiber Pulp & Paper, Incorporated

Presidents ($1,000 to $4,999 annual support)Robert & Carolyn AllanAndersons, IncorporatedArvesta CorporationPaul & Lela BarkleyDonna CampCampbell Scientific, IncorporatedGirard & Betty ClarkR. James & Beverly CookNorman DonaldsonFluid Fertilizer FoundationGlenn M. Leitz TrustJames D. & Ann L. Moore Charitable Lead TrustJames D. Moore CompanyW. Keith KennedyJohn & Margaret KillingsworthGlenn LeitzMonsanto CompanyJames & Ann MooreLynn SharpSpecialty Fertilizer ProductsDietrich & Penny Von WettsteinMartin & Elizabeth WaananenWashington-North Idaho Seed AssociationYakima Klickitat County Association of Wheat Growers

Bryan ($500 to $999 annual support)David & Barbara CleaveJames & Emma EngibousMichael & Betty LeinweberMcGregor CompanyWilliam Pan & Vicki McCracken

Tower Club ($100 to $499 annual support)AgproWiley & Maria AllredDouglas & Kay AnyanDan BailiffDavid & Patricia BezdicekKurt & Chris BraunwartCHSColfax Grange Supply Company, IncorporatedCrop Improvement Association of Whitman CountyExactrix Global SystemsFarm & Home Supply, Incorporated*Elden FelgenhauerElizabeth FelgenhauerEdward & Theresa ForsterCurtis GeringGrain Growers Association of Columbia CountyGreat Plains Manufacturing Inc.Edward & Teresa HarkinsLoris & Paula HellerCurtis & Erika HenningsGlen & Juanita HowerVincent & Uta HutnakSteve KuehnerBetty LeeJanet MaguireJoseph MajkaKenneth & Maryann MilhollandRobert & Winona NilanNorth Pine AG Equipment, Inc.Nu Chem LimitedRandall & Sue ParkerPCI Industries, IncorporatedDonald & Monica PetersGary & Geraldine PichaProGene, LLCTimothy & Megan RiebeW. J. RingwoodLeroy & Jean RogersRuark Century Farm, IncorporatedJames & Nancy RuarkSand Slope Acres, IncorporatedFrancis ShumwaySpokane County Crop Improvement AssociationSt. John Grain Growers, Inc.Charles & Shirley StaibStamps Orchards, IncorporatedMichael & Tami StubbsChunming Su & Wenjian Gong

�00�-�00� CSS HONOR ROLL OF DONORSIn appreciation of gifts (>$100) to the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005

* Indicated deceased.

DEPARTMENT OF CROP & SOIL SCIENCESWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITYPO BOX 646420PULLMAN, WA 99164-6420

NONPROFIT-ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPULLMAN. WAPERMIT NO 1

Science Policy Intern Gets Front-Seat View of How Congress Works

WSU student Tabitha Brown witnessed firsthand how science development and research is developed, thanks to a 3-month stint as the American Society of Agronomy policy intern.

Brown competed nationally for the prestigious position which is jointly sponsored by ASA, the Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America. The internship provided an opportunity to take part in many facets of science policy development and research priority setting.

Brown says some notable experiences include organizing scientific input for the 2007 Farm Bill, lobbying for increased competitive research funding, research priority setting for emerging issues in both soil science and plant and pest biology and meeting with members of Congress to build support for a House Soils Caucus. “It became apparent that building working relation-ships with members of Congress, federal agencies and other scientific communities promotes efficient monitoring of public policy and reduces further cuts to already flat-funded budgets of the sciences”, she says.

She attended both the Senate and House agriculture committee hearings for determining how mandatory agriculture programs, authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, would be cut to offset costs associated with the war, tax cuts and natural disaster relief. “The presence of the professional societies in the nation’s capital allows scientists to influence policy and shape funding opportu-nities,” Brown says, which has enormous consequences on how research is performed and how Congress views its importance to society.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (left) and Tabitha Brown,

ASA Science Policy Intern