W-1045: Agrochemical Impacts on Human And Environmental Health–Mechanisms and Mitigation  The growing demand for food and fiber will place greater strain on agricultural production and increase the need for environmental stewardship. Agrochemicals are one of many tools used to ensure an abundant food supply. Judicious use of agrochemicals will demand practical knowledge of their fate and effects in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The goal of the W-1045 project is to develop and extend knowledge necessary for the advancement of science-based management strategies that prevent or mitigate adverse impacts of agrochemicals on human and environmental health.

W-1150: Exotic Germplasm Conversion and Breeding Common Bean  Scientists working under this project have developed several new common bean lines and varieties with biotic and abiotic stress resistance and enhanced nutrition and quality for the benefit of producers, consumers, and the environment.

W-1188: Characterization of Flow and Transport Processes in Soils at Different Scales  Through the development, evaluation, and improvement of instruments and analytical methods that measure and monitor flow and transport processes, this project has reduced the detrimental impact of human activities on valuable resources such as plants, soil, water, and air in the United States.

WERA-027: Potato Variety Development   This project continues to demonstrate its success in coordination of potato varietal development. Several new varieties with improved performance are released annually by project participants, yielding profitable and sustainable production for the grower; improved competitiveness of the U.S. potato industry; a healthy, inexpensive food supply for American consumers; and an improved environment.

WERA-039: Coordination of Sheep and Goat Research and Education Programs for the Western States  Scientists from our participating universities have demonstrated improved sheep and goat production efficiencies, control of noxious plants, production of healthier animal product, improved fiber production, and enhanced communication—all of which either measurably reduce operating costs, increase profitability, improve the health of citizens, or improve the environment.

WERA-097: Diseases of Cereals  This project has insured effective programs are in place for monitoring and managing important and emerging diseases such as stripe rust, leaf rust, stem rust, and head blight, as well as persistent diseases in small cereal grains in the western United States, resulting in reduced crop losses for producers and cost savings from reduced pesticide applications.

WERA-102: Climate Data and Analyses for Applications in Agriculture and Natural Resources This project coordinates climate data and associated products developed by regional and state climatologists, which results in more useful tools that allow producers and others to operate in a more cost-effective manner.