The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Washington State University officially opened a new research facility Oct. 14 that will house scientists working to develop better crops and solve pressing agricultural problems.
The USDA-ARS Plant Bioscience Research Building on the WSU Pullman campus represents more than 20 years of planning and brings federal and university researchers together under one roof for the first time.
“This facility reflects our shared commitment to advancing plant and soil science in ways that strengthen the agricultural prosperity of Washington state, the Northwest region, and ultimately American agriculture for generations to come,” said ARS Administrator Joon Park at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 100,000-square-foot building replaces Johnson Hall, which opened in 1960 and was demolished in 2022 and 2023 in what became the largest building demolition in WSU history. While the new facility is smaller than Johnson Hall’s 169,000 square feet, it makes up the difference through modern design and shared resources.
The partnership between USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and WSU dates back to 1931 and scientist Orville Vogel, a WSU alum who helped architect the green revolution that led to major gains in global food production.
“This new building is part of a through line from his work to the scientific partnership between the two institutions today,” said David Weller, a research leader in the ARS Wheat Health, Genetics, and Quality Research Unit.
The facility will house labs focused on soil science, wheat, legumes, potatoes and weeds. One lab includes WSU’s post-harvest potato research team, which will use state-of-the-art storage facilities and a kitchen to conduct experiments aimed at producing better potatoes.
“We’ll be able to improve testing processes and increase efficiency when it comes to breeding new varieties,” said Jacob Blauer, assistant professor in WSU’s Department of Horticulture. “And for storage, we will have better control over the atmospheric conditions to evaluate shelf-life. It all improves food security.”
The building will also support weed science research, which matters to growers dealing with herbicide-resistant weeds, and efficient wheat breeding programs.
The project received support from the entire Washington congressional delegation, as well as the Washington Grain Commission, Washington State Potato Commission, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Washington State Wine Commission and USA Pulses.
“It all comes back to helping farmers solve problems and stay productive and profitable so they can feed everyone,” Weller said.
