Wsu Extension Center

What Wsu Extension Center does

The WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center (PREC) is one of four research centers operated by Washington State University's College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), located at 2606 West Pioneer in Puyallup, Washington. Established to fulfill WSU's land-grant mission in an increasingly urbanized Puget Sound region, the center conducts multi-disciplinary research and extension across ornamental plant pathology, small fruit breeding, aquatic toxicology, ecotoxicology, urban forestry, and stormwater science. It serves commercial agriculture (berry growers, Christmas tree growers, nursery professionals, poultry operations), home gardeners, county extension agents, municipalities managing NPDES permits, and graduate students, while operating citizen science programs such as Arbutus ARME and Volunteer Stream Monitoring.

Core technical assets include a P-2 Quarantine Facility for plant pathogen research, extensive replicated Green Stormwater Infrastructure testing facilities (one of the most extensive in the country), greenhouses, and field research sites. The Small Fruit Breeding and Genetics Program has released 13 raspberry and 13 strawberry cultivars over 85 years, including the Meeker raspberry, Cascade Premier, Cascade Legacy, Puget Crimson, and Puget Reliance; ongoing cultivar development targets machine harvestability, disease resistance, and Pacific Northwest yield optimization. The Plant and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory processes over 1,000 specimens annually, and the Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory (a WSU College of Veterinary Medicine unit at Puyallup) delivers diagnostic services for all avian species.

The center's revenue model is predominantly state appropriations, federal grants, and university institutional funding, supplemented by modest fee-based revenue: diagnostic services ($25 insect ID, $40 plant problem or turfgrass diagnosis, $80 expedited turfgrass for golf courses), D.F. Allmendinger Center conference facility rentals (capacity 200), and needs-based graduate student housing ($300-$500 per month). Distribution occurs via extension publications, Master Gardener volunteer networks (since 1973), field days, peer-reviewed publications, and direct outreach to commercial and municipal clients. Strategic partnerships with the University of Washington (Washington Stormwater Center), USDA-Corvallis, Agriculture Agri-Food Canada, the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, and the Northwest Berry Foundation extend the center's reach across the Pacific Northwest.

Name

Wsu Extension Center

Legal name

Washington State University

Website

https://puyallup.wsu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center is a public university research facility operated by Washington State University that delivers applied agricultural, plant pathology, small fruit breeding, and stormwater science for the Pacific Northwest's commercial growers, municipalities, and home gardeners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Extension Services

NAICS

Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113), Berry (except Strawberry) Farming (111334), Strawberry Farming (111333)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant Tissue & Sap Testing Services (AFACAKAB), Horticulture, Nursery & Greenhouse Operations (EDAOAOAB)

Keywords

• Agricultural extension services
• Plant pathology research
• Small fruit breeding
• Stormwater management research
• Diagnostic laboratory services

Headquarters

HQ city

Puyallup

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government/University Funding: Publicly funded research and extension center operated by Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
2. Conference Center Rental: D.F. Allmendinger Center generates revenue through facility rental for meetings and classes
3. Diagnostic Services: Plant and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory provides fee-based diagnostic services including insect identification ($25), plant problem diagnosis ($40), and turfgrass diagnosis ($40)
4. Graduate Student Housing: Needs-based housing options for graduate students ranging from $300-500/month

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center is a public university-based research and outreach facility that conducts applied agricultural and natural resource research for the Puget Sound region. It develops new raspberry and strawberry cultivars through its Small Fruit Breeding program, provides plant and insect diagnostic services through its diagnostic laboratory, conducts ornamental plant pathology and stormwater management research, and delivers extension education to growers, gardeners, municipalities, and graduate students.

Product overview

WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center operates as a multi-disciplinary research and outreach facility under the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. The Center provides research-based applied solutions for agriculture and natural resources through distinct programs including the Small Fruit Breeding & Genetics Program (developing raspberry and strawberry cultivars), the Ornamental Plant Pathology Program (managing plant diseases including Sudden Oak Death), the Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory (offering diagnostic services), and the Washington Stormwater Center (stormwater management collaboration with University of Washington). Supporting infrastructure includes graduate student housing facilities, the D.F. Allmendinger Center conference facility, and citizen science/volunteer programs. Additional research programs span Aquatic Toxicology, Ecotoxicology, Urban Forestry, and the Master Gardener Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PPO (Puyallup Plant Pathology): Ornamental Plant Pathology program focusing on diseases of ornamental plants, Christmas trees, nursery plants, and sudden oak death research
• Small Fruit Breeding & Genetics
• Washington Stormwater Center
• Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory
• Ecotoxicology Program
• WSU Ravenholt Urban Forestry Lab

Products and services

• Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory Fee-based diagnostic laboratory providing identification of plant and insect problems, disease diagnosis, and management recommendations for commercial growers, home gardeners, pest control operators, county agents, and Master Gardeners. Processes over 1,000 specimens per year.
• Raspberry Cultivars Released red raspberry varieties developed by the Small Fruit Breeding program for the Pacific Northwest small fruit industry, with emphasis on machine harvestability, fruit quality, and disease resistance. Available for licensing to growers and nurseries.
• Strawberry Cultivars Released strawberry varieties including Puget Reliance and Puget Crimson developed for Pacific Northwest growing conditions, with excellent flavor, color, and disease resistance. Available for licensing to growers and nurseries.
• Washington Stormwater Center Collaboration between WSU and University of Washington providing tools, research, and technical support for stormwater management, supporting municipalities, NPDES permittees, and businesses in protecting water quality.
• Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory State-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory providing diagnostic services including necropsy, bacteriology, mycology, virology, serology and DNA testing for all avian species, serving commercial poultry operations.
• D.F. Allmendinger Center Conference and meeting facility available for rental with capacity of 200 people, featuring AV equipment, videoconferencing capabilities, and divisible meeting rooms. Self-sustaining public facility generating revenue through rental.
• Graduate Student Housing Needs-based housing options for graduate students including Ross House ($300/month shared), North Campus ($300-500/month), The Cottage ($500/month), and The Farmhouse ($500/month). Furnished or unfurnished options with utilities included.
• Ornamental Plant Pathology Program Research program focused on managing diseases of ornamental plants, native plants, Christmas trees, nursery plants, and ornamental bulbs, including Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum research. Provides research-based management practices to commercial growers.
• Small Fruit Breeding & Genetics Program Research and cultivar development program for raspberry and strawberry varieties for the Pacific Northwest, focusing on machine harvestability, disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield optimization. Supports the Pacific Northwest small fruit industry.
• Aquatic Toxicology Program Research program studying the toxicity of urban stormwater runoff to aquatic animals and the ability of green stormwater infrastructure technologies to prevent toxic impacts in Pacific Northwest rivers and streams.
• Ecotoxicology Program Research program studying impacts of pesticides and toxicants on populations, communities, and food webs with emphasis on aquatic organisms in Pacific Northwest rivers and streams.
• WSU Ravenholt Urban Forestry Lab Engages urban communities to enhance climate resiliency through novel education, service, and research about urban forests. Focuses on urban forest health in the Puget Sound region.
• Master Gardener Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 diagnostic specimens processed annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• University of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Washington State University and University of Washington to serve NPDES permittees and stormwater managers through the Washington Stormwater Center. Provides tools for stormwater management and supports municipalities and businesses in protecting water quality.
• USDA-CorvallismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative relationships with USDA plant breeding programs in the region for small fruit cultivar development.
• Agriculture Agri-Food Canada (BC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative relationships with Canadian berry breeding programs for small fruit cultivar development.
• Washington State University College of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory (WADDL) is part of WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine located at WSU Puyallup, providing diagnostic services for avian species.
• Washington Red Raspberry CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong support from Washington and Oregon berry commissions for the small fruit breeding program.
• Northwest Berry FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIssues regular newsletter with information on berry crop management and industry events, including field days and results from grower trials.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Federal agricultural research agency with national scope that co-develops small-fruit cultivars and pathology research with WSU Puyallup (e.g., USDA-Corvallis), making it the closest broad-incumbent peer for breeding and plant health programs.
• Driscoll's: Largest private berry breeding and distribution company; competes for PNW raspberry and strawberry grower mind-share and licensing relevance, making it a relevant incumbent adjacent to WSU's cultivar programs.

Emerging players

• Fall Creek Farm & Nursery: Privately held blueberry and caneberry nursery and breeding company; competes with public breeding programs on commercial cultivar development and is a natural peer for the Small Fruit Breeding program.

Direct peers

• Michigan State University Extension: Land-grant extension service with diagnostic plant/pest labs, Master Gardener programs, and applied horticulture research — highly analogous operating model to WSU Puyallup.
• Cornell AgriTech (Cornell University): Public-research agricultural science unit with a comparable mix of small-fruit breeding, plant pathology, and diagnostic services, and a similar land-grant extension mandate in the Northeast.
• Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences: Land-grant peer in Oregon running parallel extension and berry/ornamental crop research programs that overlap directly with WSU Puyallup's PNW-oriented cultivar, pathology, and extension work.
• University of Florida IFAS: Major land-grant extension and research system with diagnostic labs, plant pathology, and small-fruit breeding programs that parallel WSU Puyallup's multi-program extension model, albeit in a different climate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wsupullman
• YouTubeyoutube.com/washingtonstateuniv
• Facebookfacebook.com/WSUPullman
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wsu-extension-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wsu Extension Center