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Dianna Sanchez, a young grower from Chelan, Washington
Dianna graduated from Washington State University with a degree in fruit and vegetable management and works as a technical support agronomist with Stemilt Growers. She is the daughter of Claudia Hernandez and Carlos Sanchez.
John Carter: 1946–2021
John Carter, a longtime cherry grower in The Dalles, Oregon, and former Good Fruit Grower
Jim Koempel: 1945–2021
Longtime orchardist Jim Koempel died July 26 at his home in Dryden, Washington, following a
Cody LaRiviere, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
Cody graduated from Washington State University with a degree in tree fruit and vegetable management and manages blocks in Quincy, Washington. He’s the son of Kelli and Randy LaRiviere and is married to Ashley LaRiviere.
WSU’s Tom Collins named ASEV president
Tom Collins, assistant professor at the Washington State University Wine Science Center, has been confirmed
Danae Yount and Cherie Steinmetz, young growers from the Yakima Valley, Washington
Cherie and Danae are new tree fruit growers with their brothers, Trevor and Taylor Perrault. Both graduated from Central Washington University and are daughters of Tina and Tim Perrault.
Drew Lyon named interim chair of WSU department of crop and soil sciences
Drew Lyon Drew Lyon, Washington State University’s endowed chair in small grains extension and research,
Michigan Apple Committee elects new officers
The Michigan Apple Committee’s board of directors recently elected a new chair and vice chair
Jeff Middleton, a young grower from Franklin County, Washington
Jeff is a third-generation grower farming north of Pasco, Washington. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Idaho with a degree in business and finance. Jeff is married to Tracey and is the son of Ellen and Jim Middleton.
Koenig named interim dean for WSU CAHNRS
Rich Koenig Rich Koenig has been named interim dean of the College of Agricultural, Human,
Legacy of education inspires new scholarship in memory of Albert Don
Albert Don, longtime vineyard operations manager for Wyckoff Farms. (Courtesy Chuck Wyckoff) In April, the
Hoard hired as new regional marketing manager for Pear Bureau Northwest
Michele Hoard Pear Bureau Northwest, a nonprofit marketing organization promoting fresh pears grown in Washington
Riley Miller, a young grower in the Yakima Valley, Washington
Riley is a first-generation grower who obtained a degree in integrated plant sciences with a specialization in viticulture and enology from Washington State University. He is the vineyard manager of Elephant Mountain Vineyards and the son of Linda Hodge and Tom Miller.
Ag engineer Lav Khot to lead WSU’s AgWeatherNet
Lav Khot Washington State University announced that professor Lav Khot will serve as interim director
Eric Cameron and Allison Schrader, young growers from Eltopia, Washington
Allison and Eric are the third generation working at the family’s nursery in Central Washington, as the business manager and production director, respectively. They are children of Beth and Todd Cameron.
Jacob Wafler, a young grower from Wolcott, New York
Jacob is a third-generation grower and nurseryman in upstate New York. He is the son of Sue and Paul Wafler.
Sydney Anderson, a young grower from Benton City, Washington
Sydney graduated from Washington State University and is the viticulturist and safety director for Goose Ridge Vineyard. She is a fourth-generation farmer and the daughter of Kelly and Kirk Rathbun.
John Giumarra Jr. honored posthumously by California Fresh Fruit Association
John Giumarra Jr. The California Fresh Fruit Association, CFFA, has honored John Giumarra Jr., posthumously,
Dininny: Celebrating 25 years for Doug Button
Good Fruit Grower sees transition in advertising team.
MSU Extension hires Anna Wallis to succeed Phil Schwallier as apple production specialist
Anna Wallis Michigan State University Extension has hired Anna Wallis as its apple production specialist
Jerry Torres, a young grower from Quincy, Washington
Jerry is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural technology and finance at Washington State University and is starting a small business. He’s the son of Teresa and Ismael Torres.
Oberholster of UC Davis receives ASEV Extension Distinction Award
Anita Oberholster, associate specialist in enology for the University of California, Davis, Cooperative Extension has
Luke Tonnemaker, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Luke is a fourth-generation farmer who studied food and nutrition at University of Idaho. He’s the son of Sonia and Kole Tonnemaker.
Kalcsits named endowed chair for tree fruit environmental physiology and management at WSU
Washington State University physiologist Lee Kalcsits has been named WSU’s endowed chair for tree fruit
Ruben Canales, a young grower from Benton County, Washington
Ruben is a second-generation grower who has worked as a journeyman electrician to purchase his first orchard. He is the son of Liduvina and Ruben Canales.
Tree Top announces CEO retirement and successor
Tom Hurson Tom Hurson, president and CEO of Tree Top Inc., announced his retirement from
Clayton Ringer, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
Clayton is a first-generation farmer who returned to the Columbia Gorge after spending time working in industrial solar energy. He’s the son of Kristen and Jai Ringer.
NHC welcomes two new staff members
Two new staff members joined the Northwest Horticultural Council in late 2020: Riley Bushue as
Ohio Wine’s Donniella Winchell honored with Rich Smith award for service to the wine industry
The American wine and grape industry recognized Donniella “Donnie” Winchell, executive director of the Ohio
Chelsea Van Acker, a young grower from Williamson, New York
Chelsea grew up on the family farm, Van Acker Farms, graduated from Cornell University and works in field services for New York Apples Sales. She’s the daughter of Dan and Lori Van Acker.
Endowment allows tree fruit physiologist more research flexibility
Todd Einhorn Todd Einhorn has been named the Michigan State University Department of Horticulture’s Martin
Susan Brown awarded for work developing new apple varieties
The National Academy of Inventors has named Susan Brown as an NAI Fellow, according to
Erica Bland, a young grower from Dryden, Washington
Erica is a fourth-generation farmer with a degree in criminal justice and sits on the Blue Star Growers board of directors. Erica is the daughter of Vince and Lesa Bland.
Michigan hort society honors peach breeder, apple grower at GLEXPO
The Michigan State Horticultural Society gave out two Distinguished Service Awards during the 2020 Great
Industry leaders recognized at 2020 Hort Show
The virtual meeting format didn’t stop the Washington tree fruit industry from recognizing industry leaders
Profit by precision: 2020 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
2020 Grower of the Year Rod Farrow reflects on a career on the leading edge of precision horticulture in New York.
Parker and Sarah Sherrell, young growers from Hood River, Oregon
Sarah and Parker are first-generation farmers who recently purchased their own farm. Sarah graduated from University of Oregon and earned her master’s degree in business from George Fox University.
Individual and alumni volunteers recognized by Washington Apple Education Foundation
The Washington Apple Education Foundation, WAEF, presented the nonprofit’s 2020 Individual Volunteer of the Year
Karen Lewis named director for WSU Extension’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit
After more than 30 years working with tree fruit growers as an extension specialist in
David Bittner, a young grower from Appleton, New York
David is a second-generation farmer who grows fruit along Lake Ontario and who graduated with a degree in agriculture system management from Purdue University. He is the son of Margo and Jim Bittner.
Juan Ojeda, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Juan is a second-generation tree fruit farmer who recently joined Simplot Growers. He’s the son of Celina and Juan Ojeda.
Fletcher Hukari, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
Fletcher is a fourth-generation farmer who graduated from the University of Utah. He’s the son of Tami and Brian Hukari.
Fruit breeder David Cain honored for industry contributions
David Cain The American Pomological Society awarded the 2020 Wilder Medal, its highest honor, to
Crystal Aguilar, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Crystal is a second-generation farmer who grew up in the Yakima Valley and originally pursued teaching before joining her brother, Tony Mendoza, with Haak Administrative Services. She is married to Jesus Aguilar and is the daughter of Trinidad and Elieser Mendoza.
Meghan Swain named executive director for Cherry Industry Administrative Board
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board announced in a news release that Meghan Swain has been
Jim Wade, 1926–2020
Jim Wade Jim Wade, former head of Columbia Fruit Packers and a partner in Columbia
Richard “Dick” Symms, 1935–2020
Richard “Dick” Symms Richard “Dick” Symms, patriarch of the Caldwell, Idaho, Symms Fruit Ranch, died
Dave Puglia to serve on Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced the appointment
Christopher Gerlach to join USApple as director of industry analytics
Christopher Gerlach The U.S. Apple Association announced Christopher Gerlach will join the organization as director
Kyle Rasch, a young grower from Conklin, Michigan
Kyle is a fifth-generation famer in the West-central Michigan region. He was part of USApple’s Young Apple Leaders program, obtained a business degree from Grand Rapids Community College and is the son of Sue and Chuck Rasch.