WSU Launches Program Connecting Health and Agriculture

New Initiative Links Farming, Nutrition, And Human Health

Washington State University (WSU) has introduced a groundbreaking initiative linking agriculture and human health through collaborative research and education.

The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (NEP) and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) are working together to explore the connections between food production and nutrition.

The new Human Nutrition and Food Systems major will equip students with the skills to understand food systems from soil to society. The curriculum includes coursework in soil science, agriculture, biochemistry, and nutrition. “This partnership came naturally,” said NEP Chair Glen Duncan. “We are returning to our roots in agriculture with a modern approach to nutrition science embedded within medicine.”

Students will gain practical experience through internships and research projects. The collaboration also extends to the Soil to Society research project, supported by a $10 million USDA grant. This project focuses on improving the nutritional quality of wheat, barley, peas, lentils, buckwheat, and quinoa while enhancing soil health. 

WSU researchers, alongside scientists from Johns Hopkins University, Kansas State University, and the USDA, aim to develop more nutritious crops and encourage wider consumption of whole grains.

“In the last century, the majority of agricultural research and development has been focused purely on yield, and the side effect has been a loss of nutritional value,” said NEP Associate Professor Franck Carbonero.

This initiative represents a shift toward sustainable food systems, preparing students for careers in research, industry, and regulatory affairs. By integrating human health with agricultural advancements, WSU is paving the way for a healthier future.