A 2000 study on cover crops to control weeds in organic vegetables at WSU Vancouver failed due to overwhelming weed pressure. The vegetable crop was unharvestable, and the cover crop trial was abandoned. Despite this, the study positively impacted WSU: it led to the creation of WSU’s first certified organic land, funding for equipment (tractor, cultivator, mower), a new grant for a cover crop demonstration site, increased contributions to WSU’s Organic Research and Extension initiative, and a survey of organic research programs.