Pear growers will elect nominees for positions on the Fresh Pear Committee (FPC) of Marketing Order #927. The committee is responsible for the collection of assessments for research and the promotion and advertising of all pears marketed in the domestic and export markets.

There is one grower position for the Mid-Columbia district to be filled at the Winter Hort meeting at 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 13 at the Hood River Best Western, located at 1108 E. Marina Way, Hood River, Oregon.

The grower member is currently Gordy Sato, first alternate is Ron Rivers and second alternate is Jon Laraway. The member and alternates can be re-elected because they have served one out of a possible three consecutive terms.

All pear growers are eligible to attend and participate in the respective nominations. The committee encourages women, minorities and the physically challenged, who qualify as pear growers/handlers, to attend and participate in the nomination proceedings. Names of those elected will be submitted to the U.S. secretary of agriculture for official appointment to the committee and will serve for a two-year period.

–by Jonelle Mejica