WENATCHEE, Wash.— During the CougsGive fundraising drive on Wednesday, April 16,
Washington State University will enlist grower and public partners to create a state-of-the-art
space for tree fruit research: the new Plant Growth Facility at WSU’s Wenatchee Tree Fruit
Research and Extension Center (TFREC).
The modern building will replace a 70-year-old structure, enhancing WSU scientists’ ability to
conduct cutting-edge research vital to Washington’s $10 billion tree fruit industry. A new
growth facility will enable sophisticated environmental stress experiments, year-round disease
research, root health tests, and pest-free plant growth, ensuring ongoing innovation serving
Washington tree fruit while attracting and retaining top scientists and students.
“This facility will make possible projects that we simply can’t do now,” said Lee Kalcsits,
Endowed Chair in Environmental Tree Fruit Physiology and Management. “It’s a leveraging
opportunity: it opens a whole set of doors for impact on industry.”
With double the existing greenhouse space, modern lighting, and temperature and humidity
controls, the Plant Growth Facility will allow for exclusion in experiments demanding isolation
of environmental conditions, pests, or pathogens.
For WSU Pome Fruit Breeder Kate Evans, it would support expanded screening of breeding
material for diseases including orchard-devastating fire blight, as well as room for broader
research on new rootstocks.
“We do a good job of maximizing the facilities we have, but there’s a limit,” Evans said. “With
the greenhouses, we’re way beyond it. The new growth facility will give our internationally
renowned programs a way to expand into areas we’ve simply been stymied from entering.”
To complete the project, the research center team aims to raise $4.2 million in private funds.
Contributions will directly support groundbreaking research and innovative solutions tailored to
the needs of Northwest tree fruit.
Milne Fruit Products, a Prosser, Washington-based global fruit juice and puree company
challenges all supporters of Washington tree fruit to contribute to the Plant Growth Facility
fund during CougsGive. Milne Fruit is a silver-level sponsor of the new facility.
“At Milne, we see the value in creating a state-of-the-art facility for research and discovery that
continues the growth of our industry” said CEO and President Michael Sorenson. “Our company
believes in making a bright future for Northwest tree fruit. The Plant Growth Facility is a much needed resource for continued success, and we’re excited to help make it a reality.”
“The vision for the new plant growth facility is a place where the top researchers, teachers, and
Extension personnel come together to address the on-the-ground problems of today and the
emerging threats of tomorrow,” said Wendy Powers, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of
WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. “Located in the heart of
tree fruit production for the world, this facility puts us out in front to ensure safe, abundant,
healthy fruit for everyone.”
About CougsGive
CougsGive is WSU’s annual one-day fundraising event dedicated to expanding, sharing, and
celebrating the impact of donor support. During CougsGive, WSU alumni, supporters, faculty,
staff, and students can champion priority efforts and programs across the university. The Plant
Growth Facility is one of five featured efforts in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural
Resource Sciences. On Wednesday, April 16, 20205, support the new Plant Growth Facility and
learn about other CAHNRS priorities at the CougsGive website.
About TFREC
For over 80 years, WSU’s Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center has been
dedicated to advancing the tree fruit industry through innovative research and technology
development. Learn more about our work at https://tfrec.cahnrs.wsu.edu/
Find WSU Tree Fruit on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wsutreefruit/
Find WSU Tree Fruit Extension on X: https://x.com/WSUTreeFruitExt
Contact: James G. Smith, Senior Director of Development, WSU College of Agricultural, Human,
and Natural Resource Sciences, (509) 335-2959, james.g.smith@wsu.edu