About Us

SDC (2)

Our Story

Northwest Contract Research was created in 2009 by Nicholas Stephens and Stephen Cockfield who each owned an independent crop consulting business in North Central Washington, some of the largest in the state. As they became more experienced in the region, they saw a need for efficacy studies on the products being used. Northwest Contract Research was formed to provide comprehensive services for the agricultural industry.

Pest management and crop management are on the forefront of every farmer’s mind. They want to know that the treatments they use are really going to be effective and efficient. Since this is important to growers, it is important that the companies who produce the chemicals have concrete evidence that their product really works.

This is where we come in. We work with research laboratories and growers to faithfully carry out studies in confidentiality and produce accurate, detailed answers to the clients questions.  In addition, we create protocols that will both fit the requirements they specify as well as simulate current grower practices.

Our Team

DSC07962 (2)Nicholas Stephens (Project Manager)

Nicholas began his career scouting in the prune and almond industry in Chico, California for Scientific Methods Inc. The company then hired him to do scouting work in North Central Washington. In 1994, he began his own private consulting company called Columbia IPM Inc. In addition to his work in the US, he has also consulted in the apple industries in Chile and Morocco. He has also gone on agricultural trips to New Zealand.

Qualifications:
    • Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Biology- California Polytechnic University, Pomona
  • Commercial Agricultural Consultant- Washington State Dept. of Agriculture, Lic. 40764 (1989-2015)

08a46edStephen Cockfield (Chief Scientist)

Stephen has worked with a wide range of crops throughout his career: potatoes in Pennsylvania, turfgrass and ornamentals in Kentucky, legumes in West Africa, cranberries in Wisconsin, and currently tree fruit and wheat in Washington.

Qualifications:
    • Bachelor of Science, Biology- Penn State
    • MS & PhD, Entomology- University of Kentucky
    • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer- The Gambia, West Africa
    • Post-Doctoral Researcher- University of Wisconsin & Washington State University
    • Co-principal Investigator- Five competitive grants awarded
    • Author of 26 refereed journal articles and 1 book chapter
    • 33 other publications and proceedings
  • 67 presentations at professional meetings

Godai Furuta (Horticulturist)

Godai joined Northwest Contract Research as the Horticulturist in 2018. Originally from Japan, he came to WSU for a degree in Organic Agriculture. In 2016-17, he was the field technician for Columbia IPM, Inc. and his duties included checking traps and scouting.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science, Agriculture & Food Systems- Washington State University

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