Honey Bee Research WSU Pt 2

Honey Bee Research WSU Pt 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. During these uncertain times, folks at the Washington State University Department of Entomology are busy, busy, busy with a honey of a new research facility in Othello.

Department Chair Laura Lavine says this 10-year old facility, that the University was able to purchase last year, will allow them to greatly expand their Honey Bee &

Pollinator Research Education and Extension program …

LAVINE … “It’s actually perfect as a bee facility because it was set up as a corn-breeding laboratory. So, not only were they growing corn and raising corn and breeding corn there, but they were also doing molecular biology so they have like this amazing set up of offices, conference facilities, molecular laboratory, dirty lab, greenhouse, and giant warehouse, as well as some cold storage.”

Besides the facility being a good fit for more meetings and lab work, at nearly 50 acres, Lavine says they also have plenty of room outside where they can “grow” their operation …

LAVINE … “And, then there’s 26 acres that we’re going to plant up for farm revenue and also probably for some honey bee forage, but it’s also perfect to set up storage containers. It was already a lab and an ag research facility so it’s not a 100% perfect segue but it’s basically ready for our needs.”

Over $3-million has been raised so far for research, but that fundraising continues.

Come back tomorrow for more on WSU’s new facility in Othello for Honey Bee & Pollinator Research and Extension services.

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