David Granatstein has served as Sustainable Agriculture Specialist at Washington State University since 1993. He was hired then as the first full-time faculty member in the newly formed Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, with his administrative home in WSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources. He has worked statewide out of the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee, WA, and has spent a significant portion of time on orchard issues, particularly orchard floor management and soil health, and development of the organic tree fruit sector. He was a principle in a number of large efforts, including the Organic Crop Research Special Grant, development of the BIOAg program, the formation and implementation of the Food Alliance, The Compost Education and Resources for Western Agriculture project, the Climate Friendly Farming project, and the initial biochar research project. Prior to his Wenatchee position, he worked in Pullman for four years managing the Northwest Dryland Cereal-Legume project funded by USDA-SARE, and he spent two years as on-farm research director with the Land Stewardship Project in Lewistown, Minnesota.
Major Program Areas and Projects
Organic trends – statistics on the organic sector in Washington State; global trends for organic tree fruit, horticulture
Orchard floor management – alternative weed control for organic orchards; orchard soil quality; orchard mulching; cover crops for nitrogen, mulch, and beneficial insect habitat
Soil quality/health – compost and organic amendments; novel measurements of soil health; apple replant disease;
Ecolabeling – co-founder of Food Alliance, Portland, OR
Climate Friendly Farming project – co-PI
Biochar project – co-PI; biochar characterization, impact on soil and crop, economics
Selected Publications
A number of unpublished documents and presentations can be found at the WSU Libraries Research Exchange by typing “Granatstein” in the Search bar.
Granatstein, D., A. McGuire, and M. Amara. 2017. Improving soil quality on irrigated soils in the Columbia Basin. FS252E, Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA. 8 pp.
Adewale, C., S. Higgins, D. Granatstein, C.O. Stockle, B.R. Carlson, U.E. Zaher, L. Carpenter-Boggs. 2016. Identifying hotspots in the carbon footprint of a small scale organic vegetable farm. Agricultural Systems 149:112-121.
Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, H. Ostenson, and H. Willer. 2016. Global situation for organic tree fruits. Scientia Hort. 208:3-12.
DeVetter, L., D. Granatstein, E. Kirby, and M. Brady. 2015. Opportunities and challenges of organic highbush blueberry production in Washington State. HortTech. 25:796-804.
Granatstein, D., Kirby, E., and Brady, M. 2015. Trends and economics of Washington State organic vegetable production. EM097E, Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet, Pullman, WA. 8 pp.
Granatstein, D., P. Andrews, and A. Groff. 2014. Productivity, economics, and fruit and soil quality of weed management systems in commercial organic orchards in Washington State, USA. Organic Agriculture 4:197-207.
Pavek, P. and D. Granatstein. 2014. The potential for legume cover crops in Washington apple orchards. PMS Technical Note 22, USDA-NRCS, Spokane, WA. 34 pp. (2,5,6) http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/wapmctn12149.pdf
Taylor, M., and D. Granatstein. 2013. A cost comparison of organic and conventional apple production in the state of Washington. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2013-0429-05-RS. https://www.agronomy.org/publications/cm/pdfs/12/1/2013-0429-05-RS
Granatstein, D., P. Andrews, S. Bishop, and W. Janisiewicz (eds.). 2013. International Organic Fruit Symposium. Acta Hort. 1001, ISHS. 409 pp.
Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and J. Davenport. 2013. Direct-seeding legumes into orchard alleys for nitrogen production. Acta Hort. 1001: 329-334.
Ostenson, H. and D. Granatstein. 2013. Grower Lessons and Emerging Research for Developing an Integrated Non-Antibiotic Fire Blight Control Program in Organic Fruit. The Organic Center, Washington, DC. 24 pp. http://organic-center.org/scientific-resources/publication-archive/
TerAvest, D., J.L. Smith, L. Carpenter-Boggs, D. Granatstein, L. Hoagland, and J.P. Reganold. 2011. Soil carbon pools, N supply, and tree performance under several ground cover management systems and compost rates in a young apple orchard. HortScience 46:1687-1694.
Collins, H.P., A.K. Alva, J.D Streubel, S.F. Fransen, C. Frear, S. Chen, C.E. Kruger, and D. Granatstein. 2011. Greenhouse gas emissions from an irrigated silt loam soil amended with anaerobic digested dairy manure. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 75(6):2206-2216.
Yoder, J., S. Galinato, D. Granatstein and M. Garcia-Perez. 2011. Economic tradeoff between biochar and bio-oil production via pyrolysis. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(5):1851-1862.
Mullinx, K. and D. Granatstein. 2011. Potential nitrogen contributions from legumes in Pacific Northwest apple orchards. Intl. J. Fruit Sci. 11:74-87.
TerAvest, D., J.L. Smith, L. Carpenter-Boggs, L.Hoagland, D. Granatstein, and J.P. Reganold. 2010. Influence of orchard floor management and compost application timing on N partitioning in organically managed apple trees. HortScience. 45:637-642.
Granatstein, D. and E. Sanchez. 2009. Research knowledge and needs for orchard floor management in organic tree fruit systems. Intl. J. Fruit Science 9:257-281.
Wiman, M.R., E.M. Kirby, D.M. Granatstein, and T.P. Sullivan. 2009. Cover crops influence meadow vole presence in organic orchards. HortTech 19:558-562.
Granatstein, D., C. Kruger, H. Collins, M. Garcia-Perez, and J. Yoder. 2009. Final Report. Use of biochar from the pyrolysis of waste organic material as a soil amendment. Wash. St. Dept. of Ecology Beyond Waste Program grant C0800248. 181 pp.
Granatstein, D. and K. Mullinix. 2008. Mulching options for Northwest organic and conventional orchards. HortScience 43(1):45-50.
Granatstein, D. and E. Kupferman. 2008. Sustainable horticulture in fruit production. Acta Horticulturae 767:295-308.
Lacey. L.A., D. Granatstein, S.P. Arthurs, H. Headrick, and R.F. Fritts Jr. 2006. Use of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae) in conjunction with mulches for control of overwintering codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 41: 107-119.
Miles, C.A., D. Granatstein, and C. Feise. 2003. Organic farming research and education at Washington State University. HortScience 38(5):755.
Horton, D. R., D. A. Broers, R. R. Lewis, D. Granatstein, R. S. Zack, T.R. Unruh, A.R. Moldenke, and J. J. Brown. 2003. Effects of mowing frequency on densities of natural enemies in three Pacific Northwest pear orchards. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 106: 135-145.
Mazzola, M., D. Granatstein, D. Elfving, and K. Mullinix. 2001. Suppression of specific apple root pathogens by Brassica napus seed meal amendment regardless of glucosinolate content. Phytopathology 91:673-679.
Painter, K.M., D.L. Young, D. Granatstein, and D.J. Mulla. 1995. Combining alternative and conventional systems for environmental gains. Amer. J. Alternative Agriculture 10:88-96.
Granatstein, D. 1992. Amber Waves: A Sourcebook for Sustainable Dryland Farming in the Northwestern United States. XB1025, Agricultural Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 75 pp.
Granatstein, D. and D.F. Bezdicek. 1992. The need for a soil quality index: local and regional perspectives. Amer. J. Alternative Agriculture 7:12-16.
Jennings, M.D., B.C. Miller, D.F. Bezdicek, and D. Granatstein. 1990. Sustainability of dryland cropping in the Palouse: An historical view. J. Soil Water Conservation 45:75-80.
Bezdicek, D., and D. Granatstein. 1989. Crop rotation efficiencies and biological diversity in farming systems. Amer. J. Alternative Agriculture 4:111-119.
Granatstein, D., D.F. Bezdicek, V.L. Cochran, L.F. Elliott, and J. Hammel. 1987. Long‑term tillage and rotation effects on soil microbial biomass, carbon, and nitrogen. Biology Fertility of Soils 5:265‑270.
Granatstein, D. 1988. Reshaping the Bottom Line: On‑farm Strategies for a Sustainable Agriculture. Land Stewardship Project, Lewiston, MN. 63 pp.
Engeland, R., D. Granatstein, and J. Donaldson (eds.). 1982. Land and People: Options for Okanogan Agriculture. PRI / Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 189 pp.
International Experience
Intl. Cherry Symposium, Curico, Chile; October 2016; invited speaker
EcoFruit Conference, Stuttgart, Germany; February 2016; invited speaker
INNOHORT symposium, Avignon, France; June 2015; scientific committee, speaker, Acta Hort. editor
Afghan agricultural extension project, Jalalabad and Kabul, Afghanistan; 2012 and 2013; trainer.
Organic agriculture production and certification training workshop, Accra, Ghana; June 2010; co-PI, lead organizer, trainer.
All Nature educational workshop, Taichung, Taiwan; November 2010. Invited keynote speaker.
Iraq agricultural extension training project; Erbil, Iraq; October 2009; trainer.
INTERPOMA World Apple Congress, Bolzano, Italy; November 2008. Invited keynote speaker.
ISHS International Organic Fruit Symposium, Vignola, Italy; June 2008. Invited keynote speaker.
Sustainability Symposium, San Fernando, Chile; August 2007. Invited keynote speaker.
Organic Fruit Symposium, Rio Negro, Argentina; August 2007. Invited keynote speaker.
International Horticulture Congress, Sustainability Symposium, Seoul, Korea; August 2006. Invited keynote speaker.
Exploring Organic Alternatives conference, Saskatoon, Sask.; November 1999. Invited speaker.
First Southern Hemisphere Conference on the Integrated and Organic Production of Fruits, Rio Negro, Argentina; May 1999. Invited speaker, trainer.
Exploring Organic Alternatives conference, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; February 1998. Invited keynote speaker.
Sustainable agriculture training, All-Russia Agricultural College, Sergiev Posad, Russia; Feb. 1994, November 19956; invited speaker, trainer.
1994 Alberta Conservation Tillage Society Annual Meeting, Edmonton, Alberta; January 1994. Invited keynote speaker.
Sustainable Agriculture Travelling Symposium, Alberta Institute of Agrologists/Alberta Soil and Water Conservation Society, February 1991. Invited keynote speaker.
Farming Systems Research and Extension Project, Maseru, Lesotho; 1985-86; associate agronomist
Awards
2017 Anne Schwartz Leadership Award in Sustainable Agriculture, WSU CSANR
2015 Oregon Tilth Service Award
2014 Advocate of the Year Award, Tilth Producers of Washington
2011 Robert Carlson Memorial Lecture Award, International Fruit Tree Association
2011 WSU CAHNRS Team Interdisciplinary Award for Climate Friendly Farming Project
2010 1st Organic Tree Fruit Industry Service Award. Wash. St. Hort. Assoc.
2009 USDA CSREES 2009 Partnership Award, Climate Friendly Farming Project
2008 WSU Sahlin Award for outreach/engagement
2002 K.J. Morrison Extension Agronomy Award. Washington State University
1998 Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Award for Public Service
1996 WSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics Team Excellence Award; WSU Compost Team.
Contact Info:
David Granatstein, Professor Emeritus, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
Email Address:
granats@wsu.edu
Office Location:
Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center, Wenatchee
Office Ph: 509-293-8762
Office Hours: by appointment