Over 90% of the United States' cool-season forage and turfgrass seed is produced in the Pacific Northwest. Currently, the grass seed industry faces some critical environmental and economic challenges. These include: public pressure to phase out open-field burning; alleviation of smoke, dust, and chemical trespass from crop production areas; lack of integrated cropping systems; protection of genetic diversity and identification of germplasm resources for alternate production strategies; and better utilization of post seed harvest residues.

These high-priority research needs can best be addressed through the development of sustainable production systems. A coordinated approach between the three state universities and the USDA-ARS is essential for assembling effective interdisciplinary research and technology expertise.

The vision for GSCSSA emerged during an organizational meeting of the Tri-State Grass Seed Working Group in January 1993 at Spokane, WA. A proposal was written to seek federal funding for grass seed crop research. Cooperating in this effort were research and extension staff from Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Washington State University, and scientists from the USDA's National Forage Seed Production Research Center. The proposal, titled "Grass seed cropping systems for a sustainable agriculture", was approved for funding as a Special Research Grant from the USDA-Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service.

The FY94 funds were used to initiate 12 research projects in the Pacific Northwest. FY95 and FY96 funds were used to continue ongoing research and initiate six new projects. In addition to the CSREES funds, the Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) also has received special allocations for grass seed research. Funding for the program has been continued for FY97, and it is anticipated that Congress will continue funding in subsequent years.

Funds are being used to support fundamental and problem-solving research and technology transfer efforts conducted by individual scientists and teams of scientists. Three committees provide advisory counsel to the Agricultural Experiment Station Directors for operation of this program. A Technical Advisory Committee and an Industry Advisory Committee, chaired separately, provide input to an Administrative Advisory Committee. The Administrative Advisory Committee includes the chairpersons of the Technical and Industry committees along with the Oregon, Idaho, and Washington research and extension administrators and an ARS representative.

Grower and industry suggestions for priority areas of research and extension activities are solicited annually. You may provide input any time by contacting: