{"id":13462,"date":"2026-05-04T12:34:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T19:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/wallawalla\/?page_id=13462"},"modified":"2026-05-08T15:24:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:24:36","slug":"asotin-columbia-garfield-walla-walla-and-whitman-counties","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/wallawalla\/newsletters\/asotin-columbia-garfield-walla-walla-and-whitman-counties\/","title":{"rendered":"WSU Blue Mountain Region Extension News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WSU Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla, and Whitman County Extension<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Spring 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Brown’s Peony. Photo submitted by Walla Walla County Plant Clinic Client.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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In This Issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Agriculture<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Tell Us Your Story”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Women farmers are invited to share their stories for research study<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WSDA invites Producers, Farmworkers, and Community members to provide input for the state’s comprehensive assessment of agricultural viability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Meet Morgan Menaker”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Morgan Menaker joins the Blue Mountain Region Agronomy Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Save the Date”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

WSU Crop tours coming soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Walla Walla County Noxious Weed Rebate Program”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“Forest and Range Owners Field Day”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

WSU educational event for anyone who owns forested or range land<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Taking Interest for Pre-License Pesticide Education”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Columbia County wants to know if you are interested in taking the WSU Pre-License Applicator class<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Gardeners<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Master Gardener Plant Diagnosis Clinics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Where to go in your county for garden advice and plant problems<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Tales from the Clinic”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pearleaf Blister Mite<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-H<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“4-H Livestock Judging Contest”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

4-Hers across the Blue Mountain Region show off their Livestock Judging skills<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A Heart for Service”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Waitsburg Corral Wranglers show up for their community<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home Food Safety and Preservation<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Home food preservation classes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Lunch and Learn”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“General Rules for Outdoor Food Safety”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Small steps to keep safe eating outdoors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home and Family<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Columbia and Walla Walla Counties Participate in Secure Storage Program”<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to get a free gun safety device at the WSU Extension Office<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Agriculture News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tell us your Story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You are invited to participate in a research study examining women farmers’ knowledge of, experiences with, and engagement in U.S. agricultural policy programs. It’s open to women who own, manage, or are employed on a farm in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho (any type of agricultural production and any size) . Questions in this survey relate to general agricultural policy programs, as well as policy programs focused on conservation. This research is part of a doctoral dissertation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the Survey!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Wheat<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inform the WSDA’s Comprehensive Ag Assessment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your responses will directly inform the WSDA report, which will serve as the state\u2019s comprehensive assessment of agricultural viability. This final report will not only reflect on-the-ground conditions, but will also identify practical, actionable solutions. These findings will be shared with policymakers, industry partners, and stakeholders to help guide decisions that impact the future of agriculture in our state. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Agricultural Producer Survey<\/a>: Take this survey if you are an owner or manager of a farm or ranch.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmworker and Farmworker Representative Survey<\/a>: Take this survey if you are a farmworker or farmworker representative.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community Survey<\/a>: Take this survey if you are a food processor, agricultural advocate, business that supports agricultural production, hunger relief organizations, or interested consumer.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are also available in multiple languages, click here to access<\/a>.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington\u2019s agricultural industry is vital to our economy, our communities, and our way of life. Ensuring its long-term viability requires strong partnership, clear understanding, and informed action. WSDA remains committed to advocating for and supporting our farmers, ranchers, producers, processors, agribusinesses, farmworkers, and tribal partners. Your participation in this effort is a critical part of that work. For more information about this work, visit agr.wa.gov<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Morgan Menaker Joins the Blue Mountain Region Agronomy Team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Morgan Menaker, WSU’s newest Regional Extension Specialist in Agronomy, started his position in September of 2025. Morgan previously worked for NC State Extension in a prominently soybean and winter wheat producing county. However, he consulted on corn, sorghum, sesame, and cotton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgan’s research program is centered on meeting the needs of dryland farmers in Southeastern Washington. He joins WSU Blue Mountain Region Extension Agronomist Rachel Wieme in providing services for Whitman, Asotin, Garfield, Columbia, and Walla Walla Counties. His office is based out of Colfax. Some of the trends Morgan has identified with local growers are managing problematic weeds like Italian Ryegrass, Downy Brome or cheatgrass, finding alternative crop inputs and protectants, and better ways to use in-field and remote sensors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This past Winter, Morgan spoke at many meetings about controlling problem weeds, fungicide use, and how drones are impacting agriculture. Between grant writing, trial work, and university commitments, Morgan’s number one priority is meeting with and talking to growers about their current agronomic issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hitting the ground running, Morgan currently has trials investigating soil residual herbicides with adjuvants, fungicide and alternative crop protectants in winter wheat, and is developing a winter wheat growth and development model for specific soft white winter wheat varieties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When Morgan is not at work, he spends time with his wife of eight years and their two children: a four-year-old boy and one-year-old daughter. They have enjoyed exploring Washington State after their big cross country move!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgan is only ever a phone call away from providing technical assistance remotely or on your farm. Don’t be strangers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He can be reached at morgan.menaker@wsu.edu<\/a> or 509-397-6290. If you would like to read more about Morgan, check out this profile <\/a>in Wheat Life Magazine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Save the Dates for 2026 PNW Crop Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 PNW Crop Tour provides opportunities to view field trials and interact with WSU personnel. Please check with the contact listed prior to the tour to verify the time, location, and agenda or reach out to your local county wheat growers association or other co-sponsor. Location maps<\/a> for the WSU Extension Cereal Variety Trials are available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you to the Washington Grain Commission for funding to support the trials and tours as well as the county wheat growers associations and co-sponsors for programs and meals associated with the field days. Finally, a big thank you to all the grower cooperators for their time and resources to host the variety trials. We truly appreciate all the continued support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, including location and contact information, please visit the Small Grains Website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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In the Blue Mountain Region, Crop Tours will be held <\/p>\n\n\n\n