This year the Washington State University will further expand its academic portfolio in Everett (Washington State), explained the Herald Net.The heavily negotiated spending plan contains $580,000 for WSU to bring its renowned Organic Agriculture Systems degree program to a growing base of operations on the campus of Everett Community College.

Students at WSU North Puget Sound will receive instruction in all aspects of organic food production when the classes start in 2017. The degree, now offered on the main campus in Pullman, was the first of its kind in the nation. Securing the money was no cinch. WSU turned out be the only four-year university receiving money for a new program offering a bachelor's of arts degree. Washington State University sought $832,000 in state funds to launch this degree program and a second one in conventional agriculture practices. Dunshee, an ardent supporter of WSU's efforts in Everett, penciled in $580,000 for the organic agriculture degree in the initial budget passed by the House.

This will be the seventh degree program launched by Washington State University since 2012. WSU now offers bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, integrated strategic communications and hospitality business management. Degree programs in software engineering and data analytics are on track to start this fall.Meanwhile, construction is well under way on a four-story, 95,000-square-foot building in the parking lot of College Plaza shopping center across the street from the main EvCC campus.This will be the future home of WSU North Puget Sound and the University Center.Work is expected to finish in time for the start of the 2017 school year. When it opens, it will have at least a dozen classrooms, 10 laboratories, offices, a small café and an area for public gatherings.