Welcome to WSU Extension

in Yakima County

 
Yakima County Extension is part of the world-class outreach and engagement enterprise of Washington State University.  We partner with local agencies, businesses, our community, and volunteers to drive innovation, invention and technology transfer.  We specifically focus on expanding the problem-solving capacity of communities within the county, enhancing and sustaining the local economy, enhancing natural resources and the environment, enhancing economic opportunities for agriculture and eliminating barriers to success for youth and families.

WSU Extension in Yakima County connects the residents of Yakima County to the research and knowledge generated by Washington's only Land Grant University--Washington State University. WSU Extension strives to provide solutions to local problems and thus stimulate our local economies.  Our county-based educators work with producers, research agencies, commodity groups, community leaders and officials as well as community volunteers to provide educational programs and leverage the broad resources of a major university to resolve issues and create a positive future for the residents of Yakima County.

We leverage every dollar we receive from Yakima County with federal, state, grant and private funding to maximize our reach and effectiveness.  In fact, for every $1 invested by Yakima County in 2008, WSU Extension provided over $5.16 in state and federal resources.  Additionally, faculty and staff in the county have raised an additional $83,770 in extramural funding.  Therefore, every dollar that Yakima County spends in support of WSU Yakima County Extension generates $5.38 for the county, a 538% return on investment annually.

Our local programs include tree fruit horticulture & pest management, range and pasture management, small farms business development, vegetable pest management, 4-H Youth, food safety and nutrition, and Master Gardeners. In addition, Washington State University provides over 2,200 publications, numerous online educational opportunities, and other statewide educational programs and technical assistance from four Research and Extension Centers, 15 Academic Departments and six of WSU's Academic Colleges.