{"id":28035,"date":"2026-05-29T10:28:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T17:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/?p=28035"},"modified":"2026-05-29T10:29:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T17:29:09","slug":"pizza-safety-and-community-cahnrs-leadership-visits-skagit-county-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/2026\/05\/29\/pizza-safety-and-community-cahnrs-leadership-visits-skagit-county-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Pizza, Safety, and Community: CAHNRS Leadership Visits Skagit County Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Dean Raj Khosla and the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS<\/a>) leadership team visited WSU Skagit County Extension on May 27, they encountered more than program displays and introductions. They experienced a snapshot of Skagit Extension’s mission in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The afternoon brought together three efforts that reflect Extension’s commitment to serving agricultural communities: youth farm safety education, farmer well-being, and community connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gearing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As faculty and staff shared information about programs serving Northwest Washington, visitors also had the opportunity to participate in a Pizza 4 Producers<\/a> gathering and tour the Gearing Up for Safety tractor driving course located behind the Extension office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, pizza and tractor safety may seem unrelated. In reality, both programs address a common goal: helping agricultural communities remain healthy, resilient, and connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pizza 4 Producers program was developed through the Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention initiative to create opportunities for farmers, farmworkers, and agricultural families to gather, share experiences, and build supportive relationships. Funded through regional agricultural stress assistance efforts, the program uses the simple act of preparing and sharing food as a way to strengthen community connections and reduce isolation among agricultural producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Farm<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nearby, participants in the Gearing Up for Safety program were developing another essential skill set. The tractor driving course provides hands-on safety training for youth and adults, helping participants learn the safe operation of farm equipment while earning certification required for many agricultural jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, the programs illustrate Extension’s belief that thriving agricultural communities require both physical and mental well-being. Safe equipment operation protects lives on the farm, while strong community connections help producers navigate the many challenges facing agriculture today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WSU<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For Dean Khosla and the CAHNRS leadership team, the visit provided a brief but meaningful look at how Extension transforms university resources into practical support for local communities. From agricultural safety training to mental health outreach, the programs showcased during the visit represent the many ways WSU Extension works alongside the people who grow food, steward land, and strengthen rural economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the stop lasted less than an hour, it highlighted the importance of Extension’s statewide network and the partnerships that make community-based programming possible. Dean Khosla expressed interest in returning to Skagit County in the fall for a more in-depth visit and conversation with local faculty, staff, and stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Maddy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the final pizzas emerged from the oven and tractor safety demonstrations continued in the afternoon sun, the message was clear: Extension’s work is not limited to classrooms or research plots. It happens wherever people gather to learn, connect, and support one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That mission was on full display in Skagit County.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Dean Raj Khosla and the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) leadership team visited WSU Skagit County Extension on May 27, they encountered […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":177,"featured_media":28039,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":null,"_external_link":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[55,1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28035"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/177"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28035"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28045,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28035\/revisions\/28045"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}