| Jan 15 | Course instructors | HORT 509/510 course introduction | A review of course expectations, graduate student life, and polling for future seminar topics |
| Jan 22 | Dr. Jeffrey Wall, WSU Horticulture, Puyallup | Folk valuation of plant genetic resources: theory, cases and promise in the PNW | In this talk, I outline what several social science traditions — such as value anthropology, cultural reproduction, and ethnobotany— bring to the practice of plant genetic resource conservation. I illustrate by presenting cases of highly culturally specific plant value from around the world, alongside my own work identifying traits that helped prioritize naturalized chestnut populations for conservation in Turkey. I conclude by sketching promising applications of folk plant valuation in the Pacific Northwest. |
| Jan 29 | Dr. Todd Little-Siebold, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME | Fruit of the past: Research, preservation and mysteries | With the first credible evidence of apples in America stretching back to 1524, there is an uncharted history that goes deeper than many imagine. This talk will explore recent discoveries and research into the history of early American apples as part of a broad effort to find, identify, document, and preserve the rich cultivar diversity this history has produced. |
| Feb 5 | Oswaldo Gonzalez, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Assessing postharvest outcome and PGR responses in d’Anjou pears sorted using chlorophyll-carotenoid index based on hyperspectral images | Abstract |
| Feb 12 | McKenzie Shelton, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Establishing tea (Camellia sinensis) as a specialty crop in Western Washington | Abstract |
| Feb 19 | Jordan White, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Evaluating unique traits, plastic mulch, and growing degree days for sweetpotato production in northwest Washington | Abstract |
| Feb 26 | Sadat Amankona, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Storage optimization of organic ‘Gala’ and ‘Honeycrisp’ apples using non-chemical approaches | Abstract |
| Mar 5 | Alfredo Reyes, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Post-bloom thinning in sweet cherry | Abstract |
| Mar 12 | Gabriela Bolanos, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Extending postharvest quality of sweet cherries: cold chain regimes and fruit texture components | Abstract |
| Mar 19 | SPRING BREAK | | |
| Mar 26 | Laura Schulz, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Sweetpotatoes: Testing traits for increased market value and sustainable production for direct market farms in Western Washington | Abstract |
| Apr 2 | Jacob Meeuwsen, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Improving potato irrigation efficiency with mobile drip irrigation and changes in cultural management practices | |
| Apr 9 | Jeremy Ree, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Bridging the gap to resilience: A study on native plant propagation and consumer preferences | |
| Apr 16 | Srijana Shrestha, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | ||
| Apr 23 | Harriet Ampofo, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Adjusting the carbohydrate balance sub-models for use in Washington State | |
| Apr 30 | Jesse Stevens, Graduate Student, WSU Horticulture | Old and new: The effects of UV-C germicidal light, and sulfur on powdery mildew management |
Spring 2026 Seminar Series
Time and Location
Thursdays, 2:55 – 3:45 PM. In-person attendance at:
- Pullman: Clark 151
- Tri-Cities: TFLO 202
- Mt. Vernon NWREC: ARTB 115
- Wenatchee TFREC: Stockwell Room
- Prosser IAREC: AgTech Bldg Classroom
- Puyallup REC: Kalkus 109A
Register to Attend
Anyone is welcome to attend the seminar via video conference. Please use the Seminar Registration page to receive information to join the seminar remotely.
More Information
For more information about this semester’s seminar series please contact one of the following individuals:
Dr. Cameron Peace, cpeace@wsu.edu
Dr. Hatice Sari, hatice.sari@wsu.edu