Teaming up for Success: The WSU Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Team.

Prior to 2013, it was difficult for Washington producers and consultants to find information from WSU Extension on dryland crop production. Information was widely dispersed across many individual web pages and programs. Educational events were poorly coordinated and often lacked informational depth. The Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Team was formed in 2013 and is composed of county-based extension educators from throughout eastern Washington as well as campus-based faculty from multiple departments and disciplines. The integration of expertise from multiple counties and disciplines has enabled better communication and cross-discipline collaboration. The team has also effectively leveraged the expertise of USDA-ARS scientists in the development of educational materials and programs to broaden the scope of topics addressed by the team. The Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Team secured funding from the Washington Grain Commission in the amount of $50,000/year for three years that was used to develop educational content, decision tools, and programs that have addressed issues identified by growers. The Wheat and Small Grains website (smallgrains.wsu.edu) has created a “one-stop shop” where growers and crop consultants can go to find all of the information WSU Extension has on wheat and small grain production and marketing. The Wheat Academy, an annual two-day intensive training program, has become the premiere educational event for many in the wheat industry because it brings together expertise from across many disciplines to address the issues of greatest interest to the industry. By teaming-up, the WSU Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Team has been able to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary educational programming that serves the entire wheat and small grain industry in eastern Washington.