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Department of Horticulture

The Department of Horticulture at Washington State University

The WSU Department of Horticulture serves the Pacific Northwest with science-based solutions farmers, orchardists, and greenhouse operators. In Washington alone, agriculture is an $11 billion per year industry that creates nearly 165,000 jobs. Washington grows 300 different crops — and its workforce is as diverse as the crops we grow. Most of the state’s farms are family-owned — with 27,000 owned by women. From apples to zucchini, the Department of Horticulture has fully integrated programs in teaching, research, and extension.

Undergraduate Programs in Horticulture

Biologist holding tray with seedlings

Agricultural Biotechnology

Decorative photo for Fruit and Vegetable management

Fruit & Vegetable Management

Landscape, Nursery & Greenhouse Management

Title photo for viticulture and enology undergraduate link

Viticulture & Enology

A roll of wheat in a field

Agricultural and Food Systems (AFS)

Various potted flowers

Minor in Horticulture

Why a Horticulture Degree from WSU?

WSU Horticulture is among the top ten programs in the U.S., offering a world-class education for students interested in a career that can directly impact the welfare of their community.

Multi-campus Learning

Faculty in Horticulture are strategically located across the state working in a wide range of agricultural systems and settings.

Map of Washington with pins indicating locations of WSU horticultural research and education

Hort Center is Teaching Resource

Deb Pehrson recently observed that people who grew up in a city “may never even have stepped foot in an orchard.” Pehrson is the manager of WSU’s Horticulture Center, the nexus of Pullman-based education and research in all things horticultural. The recently established Center is the home to a newly planted orchard full of apples, pears, and cherries, as well as berries and other fruits.

“So,” she continues, “how would you know if you would like to work in agriculture if you’ve never even been in an orchard? I want the Hort Center to be the place where students can come and experience being outside working.” Pehrson says they might find they like working in agriculture better than “sitting in a cubicle typing on their computer. I had one gal come to us this fall who was working for a well-known big box store. She said, ‘I’m just so tired of fluorescent lights.’ If people get out here and do stuff they might say, ‘You know, I heard agriculture’s hard work and it is, but this is fun!’ Then we might get more people coming into agriculture.”

With an aging workforce, getting young people interested in working in agriculture is a critical need. Read more >>

American Society for Horticultural Science

Webinar Series

 

 

Date: Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Time: 12:00 PM EST (9:00 AM PST)

Title: Impact of Hot Weather on Postharvest Fruit Quality in Apple and Pear

Speaker: Dr. Carolina Torres, Associate Professor and Endowed Chair in Postharvest Systems, Washington State University

Click here to register for the February 8th webinar.

 

WSU Horticulture in the News

WSU grape smoke exposure expert named Innovator of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Collins stands next to a barrel in the winery.A recent increase in wildfire smoke has challenged the wine and grape industry. Tom Collins, assistant professor in Washington State University’s Department of Viticulture and Enology, is dedicated to finding a solution. His work continues to garner praise. Collins was recently selected as Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Innovator of the Year for his influential research on grape smoke exposure mitigation. He received the award alongside colleagues Elizabeth Tomasino of Oregon State University and Anita Oberholster of University of California, Davis.  Read more >>

Undergrad Plant Enthusiasts Learn Industry Skills

Portland, Ore.’s yearly Farwest Show is the biggest landscaping and horticulture industry event in the West. The expo creates a space for plant enthusiasts to exchange ideas, show off new products, and sell upcoming varieties. Getting a behind-the-scenes look helped the students get in touch with the landscaping community. For many students, an industry event of this size is their first look into the possibilities of landscaping. Read more >>

Horticulture Students Assemble WA 38 (Cosmic Crisp™) Apple Genome

Photo of the WA 38 apple better known as Cosmic Crisp™Stephen Ficklin, a computational biologist and assistant professor in the Washington State University Department of Horticulture, along with post-doctoral researcher Huiting Zhang, and their class of undergraduate and graduate students are assembling a high-resolution apple genome. Read more >>

Read more Hort Stories in our Archive >>

Research & Extension Areas

WSU Extension

Engaging people, organizations, and communities to advance knowledge, economic well-being, and quality of life by fostering inquiry, learning, and the application of research. Visit WSU’s Extension site.

Research & Extension
Centers

Mount Vernon
Prosser
Puyallup
Wenatchee

Plant Genetics, Biotechnology & Informatics

Plant Genetics, Biotechnology & Informatics

The following faculty participate in the following research and extension areas. Click a name to learn more about these individuals and their current work.

Potato and Vegetable Crops

Potato and Vegetable Crops

The following faculty participate in the following research and extension areas related to potato and vegetable crops. Click a name to learn more about these individuals and their current work.

Fruit Trees

Fruit Trees

The following faculty participate in the following research and extension areas related to tree fruit. Click a name to learn more about these individuals and their current work.

Viticulture and Small Fruits

Viticulture and Small Fruits

The following faculty participate in the following research and extension areas related to viticulture and small fruit. Click a name to learn more about these individuals and their current work.

Urban Horticulture

Urban horticulture

The following faculty participate in the following research and extension areas related to urban horticulture. Click a name to learn more about these individuals and their current work.