Since 2013, SSGWO has funded almost $280,000 in research projects that focus on the needs of the specialty seed industry. We could not do that without the support from membership dues, as well as the grower assessments collected by or self-assessed by members. Those funds are vital to our mission.

Requests for research proposals (RFP) for funding consideration will be available in the fall of each year. If you have any questions about the research funding process, or have ideas for future research projects, please contact Research Chair Dustin Welters dwelters@pratumcoop.com or Co-Chair Kenny Smith kenny@universalseed.com.

Below is a list of the currently funded projects, and reports of past projects available to download:

2026-27 Funded Projects:

• Investigating Novel Control Options for Symphylan Management (year 2)
  • Symphylan Project year 2 (June 2026 Progress Report)
• Alternative Early Season Herbicide Programs for Spinach Seed Production
  • Alternative PREHerbicides Spinach Seed (June 2026 Progress Report)

2025-26 Funded Projects:

• Evaluating Crop Safety and Weed Control of Pyroxasulfone Applied Post-Emergence in Direct Seeded Fall Brassica Crops (Feb 2026 Progress Report)
• Investigating Novel Control Options for Symphylan Management in Specialty Seed Crops in Oregon (Feb 2026 Progress Report)

Other Interesting Projects:

• Weed Management Priorities in Specialty Seed Production of the Pacific Northwest (Aaron Becerra-Alvarez, HorTechnology, Oct 2025)
• Exploring Electric Weed Control for Cover Crop Termination (Aaron Becerra-Alvarez and Marcelo Moretti)
• OSPREY: Organic Seed Production Research on Economics & Yield Trials Across the U.S. (Kristie Buckland, Cynthia Ocamb, Brian Donovan, and Joe Battilega)

2024-25 Funded Projects:

• Developing Symphylan Control Methods for Specialty Seed Crops in Oregon (final report)
• Precision Ag Tools: Seeding, Weeding, and Application Systems Demonstration and Evaluation (final report)
  • See also, Feb. 2026 presentation
• Evaluation of Herbicides for Control of Broadleaf Weeds in Chicory (final report)
  • See also, Feb. 2026 presentation

Past Projects

• Greenhouse Screening of Fusarium-Infested Soils_Ocamb
• The Creepy Crawlers Underground-Symphylan Control_Kaur
• Symphylan Management Research Updates_Kaur
• Symphylan Control in Vegetable Seed Crops_Kaur
• Cabbage Maggot in the PNW_Buckland
• Developing a New Technology to Protect Brassica Crops from Cabbage Maggot Feeding Damage_Buckland
• Vegetable Crop Tolerance to PRE and POST Herbicides_Peachey
• Radish Tolerance to Fluroxypyr Herbicide_Peachey
• Protecting Your Seed Crops from Their Wild Relatives_Peachey
• Tolerance of Hybrid Cabbage Grown for Seed to Kerb Herbicide_Peachey
• Green and Storage Onion Tolerance to Bicyclopyrone, Bromoxynil, and Talinor Herbicides_Peachey