Herb Teichman visits his weather station every day, and has done so for 45 years as an observer for the National Weather Service.

Herb Teichman visits his weather station every day, and has done so for 45 years as an observer for the National Weather Service.

Award-winning weather watcher

Herb Teichman, a fruit grower from Eau Claire, Michigan, received recognition from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration recently for his 45 years of participation in the National Weather Service’s Cooperative Weather Station Observer Program.

Jeffrey Logsdon, acting meteorologist-in-charge of the Northern Indiana National Weather Service forecast office near Syracuse, presented the award.

“Cooperative observers are the bedrock of weather data collection and analysis,” Logsdon said.

Satellites, high-speed computers, mathematical models, and other technological breakthroughs have brought great benefits to the nation in terms of better forecasts and warnings. But without the century-long accumulation of accurate weather observations taken by volunteer observers, scientists could not begin to adequately describe the climate of the United States. We cannot thank Mr. Teichman enough for his years of service to America.”

Teichman began participating in the observer program in 1968, monitoring weather from a recording station on his farm, taking over from his father, William, who founded the site in 1923. Teichman records daily temperature, precipitation, snowfall, snow depth, and snowfall water equivalency, and mails his records monthly to the National Weather Service. Some 11,000 volunteer observers participate in that way.

The Teichman family owns and operates Tree-­Mendus Fruit, which includes orchards, a farm market, and pick-your-own fruit. They grow apples, apricots, sweet and tart cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears, and plums.

Herb and his wife, Liz, are known nationally as the inventors—and annual hosts of—the International Cherry Pit Spitting Contest. The 41st annual event will be held July 6, 2014.

Part of their orchard is devoted to more than 200 varieties of heritage apples. They offer farm tours. They also have a Rent-A-Tree program. Participants can visit their tree, bring a picnic lunch, and at harvest time, the apples are theirs to pick.

 

Apple Commission staff changes

Randi Harnden

Randi Harnden

Randi Harnden has joined the Washington Apple Commission as export coordinator. Her appointment is part of a staff reorganization following the departure of Chris Scott, the commission’s export trade specialist, two months ago. Danelle Trovato, export assistant, was promoted to his position, and Harnden takes Trovato’s place. The administrative assistant position of Marcie Huber was eliminated.

Harnden is an apple and cherry grower in Cashmere, Washington, and has worked for the Eastmont School District in East Wenatchee for the past six years. She has experience with Web site oversight, food safety, state regulations, and marketing.