POTATO INDUSTRY INVITED TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF SOIL HEALTH RESEARCH AT WSU

The search for Washington State University's next Distinguished Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping Systems is entering its final phase, and the Washington potato industry is invited to play an important role.

Four outstanding finalists will visit Washington State University for on-campus interviews between late July and mid-August. As part of each visit, growers, industry representatives, crop consultants, processors, and agricultural professionals are encouraged to attend a Stakeholder Engagement Session at the WSU Honey Bee and Pollinator Research Facility in Othello.

These sessions are designed to foster open discussion between each candidate and the people they will ultimately serve. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about each finalist's background and research interests while sharing the opportunities and challenges facing Washington's potato industry.

The Distinguished Endowed Chair will provide leadership in research, Extension, and outreach focused on improving soil health, increasing production resilience, and supporting the long-term success of potato cropping systems throughout the Pacific Northwest. Strong partnerships with growers and industry stakeholders will be essential to the success of this position.

Interview Schedule

• July 30–31 – Dr. Mara Cloutier
• August 3–4 – Dr. Michael Strickland
• August 6–7 – Dr. Kaitlin Gattoni
• August 10–11 – Dr. Rajan Ghimire

Stakeholder Engagement Sessions will take place during the mid-morning of the second day of each interview at the WSU Honeybee and Pollinator Research Facility in Othello. Additional information, including meeting times and session details, will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Washington's potato industry has long benefited from close collaboration between growers, industry organizations, and university researchers. The next Distinguished Endowed Chair will continue that tradition by working alongside stakeholders to develop practical, science-based solutions that address today's challenges while preparing for tomorrow's opportunities.

Your participation is an important part of this process. Whether you attend one session or several, your insights will help ensure that WSU selects a leader who understands the needs of Washington's potato industry and is committed to delivering research with real-world impact.