As well as working as a field horticulturist for more than 30 years and operating his own orchard, Good Fruit Grower of the Year Norm Gutzwiler has devoted an extraordinary amount of time to working for the fruit industry.

He traces his industry and community involvement all the way back to high school and the leadership programs of Future Farmers of America.

“They were great, teaching us public speaking and how to be involved in our community, and telling us agriculture was good and we had to be active in it,” he said.

His involvement includes:

—Board member, Washington State Fruit Commission since 1986

—Board member, National Cherry Growers and Industries Foundation

—Board member, Chelan County Fair

—Board member, Chelan County Public Utilities District

—Member, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Cherry Advisory Committee

—Member, Wenatchee High School Agriculture Advisory Committee

—Former member, Wenatchee Valley College Tree Fruit Advisory Board

—Former board member, Washington Growers Clearing House Association

—Past president, North Central Washington Fieldmen’s Association

—Past chair, Northwest Cherry Institute

—4-H leader for 26 years

His industry honors include:

—Northwest Cherry Institute’s Cherry King, 1997

—Washington Apple Blossom Festival’s Apple Citizen of the Year, 2001

—Good Fruit Grower of the Year, 2006