US News ranked WSU as the No. 12 university in the nation in its top schools for agriculture and the No. 39 school worldwide. The only school in what made up the crumbling Pac-12 and one of only two schools west of Texas, the Cougs utilize their facilities and connections to achieve their national recognition.
Assistant professor Tadd Wheeler said that the continued success of the agriculture department is due to longstanding connections across the nation and the dedication of current and past students.
“Virtually every facet of agriculture across our region is connected to WSU through alumni and our research prowess. We are looking for innovative agricultural solutions and top-notch graduates ready to embrace an agricultural industry that is hugely diverse and rapidly evolving,” he said.
He said that the entire department at WSU strives for excellence and expects a lot from their students, alums and partners. Those expectations are met with enthusiasm and energy from students, a major contributor to the longstanding success.
Richard T. Koenig, professor and department of crop and soil sciences chair, said the connections that keep WSU involved across the nation benefit the department and students currently at the university and who have recently graduated.
“WSU has long been a leader in agricultural research due to its outstanding faculty, close collaborations with USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) scientists, and generous support of the agriculture industries in Washington,” he said. “Hundreds of WSU students benefit from this research activity and reputation, with opportunities to intern and/or work in research programs of some of the leading faculty in the world.”
Their recent ranking is not a new location for WSU, as the Cougs routinely fall in the top 40 of agricultural in all universities. Ranking just behind UC Davis on the west, WSU ranks above other powerhouse institutions like Texas A&M, Kansas State, Penn State and Rutgers, Koenig said.
Koenig said the best part of his time at WSU has been working with some of the best and brightest students and most committed and supportive agriculture stakeholders in the country.
WSU has several different areas of study for students looking to learn in a nationally recognized agricultural department, including studies in agricultural and food business economics, human nutrition and food systems, agricultural education, agricultural technology and production management, organic and sustainable agriculture, agricultural biotechnology, field crop management, fruit and vegetable management, landscape nursery and greenhouse management and turfgrass management, Wheeler said.
Going forward, the department is adding a new major in agriculture and human health and efforts to develop a new facility that will collectively house the agricultural technology and production management and agricultural education programs, Wheeler said.
The vision for this facility will significantly enhance both programs through collaboration, sharing of resources, space to grow, and space to evolve curriculum on pace with our rapidly evolving agricultural trends, Wheeler said.
With their work, Koenig said Pullman gets to enjoy Ferdinand’s ice cream, Cougar Gold cheese, Cosmic Crisp apples and products made from some of the finest wheat produced anywhere in the world.
