Yakima Extension / Washington State University

06/01/2026

Most major crops, such as wheat and corn, require expensive nitrogen fertilizer to flourish. But what if bacteria could help those plants draw nitrogen from the atmosphere, as peas and beans do?

WSU researchers transfer nitrogen-harvesting genes into new strains of bacteria.

WSU researchers have developed a genetic technique that transfers nitrogen-harvesting abilities into new strains of bacteria, a breakthrough that could someday help major crops like wheat and corn rely less on fertilizer.

06/01/2026

The Japanese Beetle is making way too many connections in Washington. Specifically in South Central Washington (Yakima, Benton, Pasco, Wapato) and near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

It’s a shiny, metallic green heartbreaker with copper vibes, looking for your garden, your lawn, the entire ecosystem.

Don’t let this one invade your DMs. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of this lurker:

Cute, destructive, and absolutely not dating material. Swipe left on this pest. Always.

The Japanese Beetle is making way too many connections in Washington. Specifically in South Central Washington (Yakima, Benton, Pasco, Wapato) and near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

It’s a shiny, metallic green heartbreaker with copper vibes, looking for your garden, your lawn, the entire ecosystem.

Don’t let this one invade your DMs. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of this lurker:

• Watch for damaged leaves that look like lace

• Examine struggling lawns, possibly from root damage

If you think you’ve spotted one, don’t ghost it! Report it: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/

And please, don’t help it travel. It gets around enough.

05/29/2026

Do you like asparagus and want it available year-round? It is easy to can asparagus. Contact Bonnie at WSU Yakima County Extension at 509-574-1576 for advice and publications on canning.

05/29/2026

How does Yakima County rank in the state among organic producers and in the US for agricultural production?

We're looking forward to a very special organic field day, hosted by a 5th-generation farmer in one of the most productive counties in the US!

05/28/2026

The United States could feasibly produce enough sustainable aviation fuel to meet roughly two-thirds of its 2030 federal target, but getting there will require overcoming major hurdles, according to a new Washington State University-led study.

The United States could feasibly produce enough sustainable aviation fuel to meet roughly two‑thirds of its 2030 federal target, but getting there will require overcoming major hurdles, according to a new WSU‑led study.

05/27/2026

Still time to RSVP and be elegible for door prizes (deadline May 29th)

Still time to RSVP and be elegible for door prizes (deadline May 29th).

05/27/2026

REMINDER: Today at 11 AM PST, the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) will host the webinar, Organic Pest and W**d Management for Service Providers in the West. Don’t miss out!
The webinar will cover practical, research-based approaches to supporting organic producers across western agricultural systems. As organic acreage expands, access to regionally relevant education and technical expertise remains essential for producers, advisors, and service providers alike.

Tomorrow! Join OFRF and Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education for a webinar on organic pest w**d management for service providers in the West.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uBxRYGLWQCyfViot6QNrKA #/registration

05/27/2026

Are you using conservation strategies on your farm? Chances are you’re eligible for funding from the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)!

05/27/2026

Organic Farming Research Foundation's (OFRF) at JL’s Organic Orchards in Zillah, on June 9th at 10 am-12:00 pm PT, and will be hosted by farmer Jeff Leach. This quarter’s focus is on organic pest management, and the field day is a fantastic opportunity to see these practices in action on a working organic farm. Register here: https://ofrf.org/event/field-day-at-jls-organic-orchards/

05/26/2026

The Department of Ecology, State of Washington, has declared a drought for Washington in 2026 for the fourth straight year.

Read the April 8 News Release: https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2026/april-8-statewide-drought-declared-due-to-dismal-snowpack
Read the Order and Determination by the Director:https://ecology.wa.gov/getattachment/40b0a4a1-efc8-4326-9d51-bbfc4cab6e54/Drought-2026-Order-and-Determination.pdf
Apply for a drought response grant: https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans/find-a-grant-or-loan/drought-emergency-grants
Water conservation: it all starts with you: https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/earth-day/water-conservation