ADVERTISEMENT
Nathan Davis, a young grower from Odell, Oregon
Nathan returned to the family pear farm in the Hood River Valley about two years ago. He and his brother, Aubrey, work with their dad, Phil, and uncle, Jack Davis.
Leticia Trejo, a young grower from Bridgeport, Washington
Leticia graduated from Washington State University with a degree in agricultural food systems. She is married to Marc Martinez and is the daughter of Diana and Donato Trejo.
Apple commission hires communications specialist
The Washington Apple Commission announced the hiring of Jennie Strong as the commission’s new communications
Newly created V&E department at WSU to welcome first chair, viticulture professor Jean Dodson Peterson
This fall, the new Washington State University Department of Viticulture and Enology will welcome its
California Association of Winegrape Growers announces Natalie Collins as interim president
Natalie Collins The California Association of Winegrape Growers announced in a news release the appointment
Ty Muxlow, a young grower from Kingsburg, California
Ty graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in ag business and plant science. He’s the son of Becky and Andy Muxlow.
Pear Bureau Northwest Promotes Bob Catinella to director of merchandising
Pear Bureau Northwest announced in a news release the promotion of Bob Catinella to director
Eric Mussen: 1944–2022
Honey bee authority Eric Carnes Mussen, an internationally known California Cooperative Extension apiculturist and member
John Paul and Adam Baugher, from Aspers, Pennsylvania
Both Adam and John Paul are part of the fifth generation operating their family farm. John Paul went to Penn State University and Adam went to Bloomsburg University. They are the sons of Cindy and Chris Baugher.
Blueberry councils hire Joe Vargas as director of business intelligence
Joe Vargas has been hired as the director of business intelligence for the U.S. Highbush
Connor Duim, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Connor graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in sustainable agriculture. He’s the son of Sheryl and Mike Duim.
Jutsely Rivera, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
Jutsely is a second-generation farmer who earned an environmental studies and chemistry degree from Gonzaga University. She’s the daughter of Ana Valenzuela and Jose Rivera.
Wafla hires CEO, communications director
Wafla, a nonprofit farm labor association based in Lacey, Washington, has named Enrique “Rick” Gastelum
Wendy Powers named WSU ag dean
Wendy Powers Wendy Powers of the University of California has been named the next dean
CIAB names Heather Weber new executive director
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), the tart cherry industry’s federal marketing order, has named
Johanny Castro Chinchilla, a young grower from San José, Costa Rica
Johanny grew up working on a coffee farm and earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in crop protection from the University of Costa Rica. He’s the son of Marea Elisa Chinchilla and Gerardo Castro.
Desmond Samples, a young grower from Washington’s Tri-Cities area
Desmond is the first generation of his immediate family in agriculture and has been working at Fidélitas Wines while attending school at Washington State University. He is the son of Joella and Cedric Samples.
Bruce Hollabaugh: 1980–2022
Pennsylvania grower leaves a lasting legacy.
Kyle R. Benner, a young grower from Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Kyle is a fourth-generation grower, packer and shipper who returned to the farm about six years ago. He’s married to Kelli and is the son of Pam and Dave Benner.
Benjamin Keim, a young grower from Boyertown, Pennsylvania
Benjamin is a fifth-generation grower who graduated from Penn State University and is the past president of the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania. He’s the son of Marie and Richard Keim.
Russel Gleason: 1929–2022
Russel Scott Gleason, longtime Yakima Valley orchardist, died Feb. 6. Russel Gleason According to an
Edgar Camacho, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
Edgar is a second-generation grower who earned an associate degree in business from Columbia Basin College. He is the son of Alma Rosa and Gustavo Camacho
Industry awards cap WineVit conference
Todd Newhouse, owner of Upland Vineyards, receives the Erick Hanson Memorial Winegrape Grower of the
Northwest Horticultural Council welcomes new technical communications manager
The Northwest Horticultural Council has hired Dan Langager as its new technical communications manager. For
Lorenzo Pacini III, a young grower from Ukiah, California
Lorenzo graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in viticulture and grows Zinfandel in the Talmage Bench. He is the son of Lorie and Allen Pacini, and his family has been growing grapes in the Mendocino Valley since 1911.
Washington Apple Education Foundation hires new executive director
Faviola Barbosa The Washington Apple Education Foundation announced in a news release the hiring of
Juan Munguía, a young grower from Mattawa, Washington
uan earned his bachelor’s degree in soil science from Oregon State University and is currently pursuing his graduate degree in horticulture. Juan is the son of Maria and Serafin Munguia.
California Association of Winegrape Growers President John Aguirre to step down
John Aguirre The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) announced in a news release the
Eleanor (Ellie) Rice, a young grower from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Ellie is an eighth-generation grower who graduated from Juniata College with a major in community conflict and change, and she now manages her family company’s human resources department and H-2A program. She’s the daughter of Katherine and Mark Rice.
Michigan hort society awards distinguished service
The Michigan State Horticultural Society gave out two Distinguished Service Awards during the 2021 Great
Washington tree fruit industry honors standouts
The tree fruit industry, holding an awards banquet for the first time in two years,
Aylin Moreno, a young grower from the Tri-Cities, Washington
Aylin is a first-generation farmer, graduated from Washington State University and obtained a master’s degree from University of Washington. She is the daughter of Sandra Espinoza and Hugo Moreno.
Learning from the ground up: 2021 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
A relentless search for innovative ideas and industry contributions make Mike Robinson the 2021 Good Fruit Grower of the Year.
Apple industry growing young leaders
USApple program has its eye on the future.
Wisconsin teen growing a fruitful future
Teen's unusual passion for grafting and growing opens doors to the tree fruit industry.
Grape Society gathers to discuss pests, production and honor industry leaders
See that price spike? At the Washington State Grape Society annual meeting, Trent Ball, the
Washington Apple Education Foundation announces 2021 volunteer honorees
The Washington Apple Education Foundation, while celebrating and giving thanks this month for the hundreds
Justin Lyon, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
Justin graduated from Columbia Basin College and Washington State University and manages vineyards in the Yakima Valley and Red Mountain AVAs. He’s married to Brianne Holden-Boushey and is the son of Susan and Michael Lyon.
WSU hires Frank Zhao as plant pathology endowed chair
Frank Zhao Washington State University has hired a bacterial plant pathologist to fill an empty
Jennifer Witherbee to step down from Washington Apple Education Foundation
Jennifer Witherbee The Washington Apple Education Foundation announced in a news release its executive director,
Blueberry council honors Bernadine Strik
Bernadine Strik, a veteran horticulture professor and berry crop specialist at Oregon State University, has
Blueberry councils hire Leslie Wada as nutrition research director
Leslie Wada Leslie Wada, a longtime blueberry research consultant has been hired as the senior
Cody Ashurst, a young grower from Hopland, California
Cody is a fourth-generation farmer in the Mendocino valley and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in agribusiness. He’s the son of Kurt Ashurst and is married to Tatianna Ashurst.
Larry Gut: 1954–2021
Larry Gut Longtime Michigan State University professor Lawrence “Larry” Gut died Sept. 6 in Wenatchee,
Dee Schoenmakers: 1956–2021
Dee Schoenmakers Denise “Dee” Schoenmakers, 65, died Aug. 28 following a brief illness. She was
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