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Michigan hort society honors Dave Smeltzer and Vance Baird
The EXPO Social, the 2024 version of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market
Washington tree fruit industry bestows awards at Yakima banquet
Ed Ing, Bill Zirkle, Leo Garcia and Dave Gleason all took home honors on Dec.
Leo Sarmiento, a young grower from East Wenatchee, Washington
family background/ Leo graduated from Wenatchee Valley College and Washington State University with a degree in business administration. He is the son of Margarita and Francisco Sarmiento.
Joe Cushman, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
Joe grew up on a family vineyard in Hood River and graduated with a horticulture degree specializing in viticulture from Oregon State University. He’s married to Krista and is the son of Robin and Rich Cushman.
Kristen DeMarree, a young grower from Williamson, New York
family background/ Kristen earned a doctorate in physical therapy from Nazareth University then returned to the family farm and is now transitioning to full ownership of the business. She is the daughter of Alison and Tom DeMarree and has two sisters, Nicole and Trena.
Cal Bosch: 1930–2024
The Good Fruit Grower staff was sad to learn that Cal Bosch, a longtime editor
Gerad and Corbin Moser, young growers from Oroville, Washington
Brothers Gerad and Corbin both graduated from Washington State University with degrees in agricultural food systems. Their parents are Diane and Greg Moser.
Brett Baker named chair of USApple board of directors
The U.S. Apple Association named Brett Baker the new chair of its board of directors...
Sam Lutz and Cassian Ferlatte, young growers from Rockland, Nova Scotia
family background/ Sam is a sixth-generation farmer who is engaged to Lucia Ellis and is the son of Larry and Janice Lutz. Cassian is a first-generation farmer who is married to Emily Lutz and is the son of Jean-Guy Ferlatte and Bernadette Fernandes.
New president, CarrieAnn Arias, joins Pear Bureau Northwest
Pear Bureau Northwest announced that CarrieAnn Arias took the role as president and CEO of the organization on July 1...
Correa tapped to lead Fresh Pear Committee
The Northwest pear industry has filled one of the leadership positions vacated by the outgoing Kevin Moffitt, longtime president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest...
Ely Giroux, a young grower from Chazy, New York
Ely is a fourth-generation farmer in the Champlain Valley and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in agribusiness. He is the son of Barbara and Craig Giroux and farms along with his four siblings.
Washington Apple Commission announces new president
The Washington Apple Commission announced the hiring of a new president, Michael Schadler, to take the reins of the export-focused organization in September...
India Cain, a young grower from Port Orchard, Washington
https://youtu.be/9HgwwfER8ds family background/ India is pursuing a graduate degree in horticulture at Washington State University.
Robert Pittman, a young grower from Manson, Washington
Robert is a fourth-generation farmer who studied business and accounting at Central Washington University before returning to the family farm. He is the son of Kathy and Rick Pittman, and his grandfather was Harold Pittman.
Manuel Vargas, a young grower from Jardín, Colombia
Manuel grew up on a coffee farm and graduated with a degree from Universidad de Antioquia in Colombia. He’s the first in his family to grow tree fruit. He is now working for Joe Rasch Orchards, in Sparta, Michigan and is married to Katie (Rasch) Vargas and is the son of Ligia Marin and Gabriel Vargas.
Orlando Howe, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
Orlando is pursuing a graduate degree in horticulture at Washington State University. He is the son of Alison and Erik Howe; his biological mother is Maria Mendoza.
Travis and Jacob Pearson, young growers from Woodville, Nova Scotia
The brothers are third-generation farmers in the Annapolis Valley of Central Nova Scotia, Canada. They are the sons of Janette and Timothy Pearson and the grandsons of Janette’s father, Pieter van Oostrum.
Patrick and Haley Colbert, young growers from Tonasket, Washington
Spouses Haley and Patrick are both third-generation apple and pear growers who each graduated from Washington State University: Haley with a degree in accounting and Patrick with a degree in agricultural technology management. Haley’s parents are Belinda and Gary Grillo and Patrick’s are Rhonda and Raymond Colbert.
Moffitt to leave Pear Bureau Northwest
Later this year, Kevin Moffitt will begin leaving Pear Bureau Northwest after 35 years with the nonprofit marketing organization.
Kyler Riggleman, a young grower from White Salmon, Washington
Kyler, a fourth-generation farmer in the White Salmon Valley, graduated from Washington State University with a fruit and vegetable management degree. He’s married to Payton and is the son of Dena and John Riggleman.
IFTA honors leaders amid research updates
On the final day of the International Fruit Tree Association’s annual meeting in Yakima, Washington, Feb. 14, the group took a break from orchard innovation and technology talks to honor members for their significant contributions to the industry...
Jon Puglisi, a young grower from Horsham, Pennsylvania
Jon grew up in a suburb outside of Philadelphia and is pursuing his doctorate in plant pathology at WSU. He’s the son of Christine and Gregory Puglisi.
WineVit opens with a discussion on diversity in the wine industry
Who are the wine drinkers of the future? Who are the future workers — at every level — to drive success? Almost certainly, it’s going to be a more diverse community than in the industry’s past...
USApple announces 2024 NextGen Apple Fellowship Class
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release the newest members of its leadership development program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship...
Luis Gaitan, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/Luis is a second-generation farmer who is studying horticulture at Wenatchee Valley College while working at Washington Fruit and Produce. He is the son of Angelica Barajas Birrueta and Manuel Gaitan.
Andrew Stirling, a young grower from Centreville, Nova Scotia
Andrew is a fourth-generation farmer who manages the family farm with his brother, Timothy, and uncle, Stephen. He is married to Hope and is the son of Mark Stirling.
Noah Roth, a young grower from Lowell, Michigan
Noah is a fifth-generation farmer who graduated with a horticulture degree from Michigan State University. He’s married to Zoe Roth and is the son of Barb and Aaron Roth.
Washington Winegrowers welcomes new executive director, Colleen Frei
In the new year, the Washington Winegrowers Association will welcome a new executive director...
EXPO Day 2: Distinguished service awards
Michigan hort society honors Greg Lang and Bill Erwin.
Hort Show Day 2: Industry awards
Washington fruit industry lauds leaders at annual banquet.
Answering the opportunity: 2023 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Forty years after the founding of Douglas Fruit, the family is recognized for its commitment to quality, customers and the tree fruit industry.
Eduardo (Lalo) Garcia, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
Eduardo is second-generation in agriculture and is working on a degree in agricultural science from Columbia Basin College. He’s the son of Alma and Jose Garcia.
Social media marketer shares video-making tips for farmers — Video
Kaitlyn Thornton coaches Good Fruit Grower's Ross Courtney and says it's as simple as telling stories.
Washington State Grape Society gathers in Grandview for annual meeting
The Washington State Grape Society gathered on Nov. 16 in Grandview, Washington, to honor industry leaders, discuss economic trends, learn about ongoing research and eat fantastic Mexican food...
Oregon State University names Pearson new extension director
Following a national search, Oregon State University has named Brian Pearson as the next permanent director of the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hood River...
California Fresh Fruit Association names Hartwig president
Daniel Hartwig has been named the new president of the California Fresh Fruit Association, according to a news release from the organization...
Monique Ortiz, a young grower from San Antonio, Texas
family background/ Monique earned a degree in integrated plant science with a focus in viticulture and enology from Washington State University. She is the daughter of Sandra and Michael Gonzales.
New scientists take industry-serving roles in Washington’s Yakima Valley
Virna Stillwaugh joins Northwest Horticultural Council and Claire Murphy joins Washington State University...
Cami Brandt, a young grower from Wapato, Washington
Cami earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Central Washington University and is working on her master’s degree in business at Eastern Washington University. She is the daughter of Paul Brandt.
Planning and preparation allows an early exit from farming
Third-generation grower retires early on his terms.
Reid Donaldson, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
Reid earned a bachelor’s degree in integrated plant sciences from Washington State University. He is the son of Renae and Darin Donaldson.
Anthony Wiley, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
Anthony is an agricultural engineer who grew up in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills then graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering, specializing in machinery systems. He is the son of Rachelle and Jason Wiley.
Moyer named board president of American Society for Enology and Viticulture
Michelle Moyer, Washington State University professor and viticulture extension specialist, has been confirmed as the president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture for 2023–24...
Phil Rowley named Cherry Industry Person of the Year
Phil Rowley was named the 2023 Cherry Industry Person of the Year for his contributions to the U.S. cherry industry...
Ben Heusinkvelt, a young grower from Columbus, Nebraska
Ben grew up outside Lincoln, Nebraska, and is a first-generation grower with a natural resources degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He is the son of Mary and Bryan Heusinkvelt.
Ella Vincent, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
family background/Ella is a second-generation farmer who graduated from Washington State University with a degree in viticulture and enology. She is the daughter of Cindy and Mike Vincent.
Washington State Wine Commission hires Kristina Kelley as new executive director
The Washington State Wine Commission has hired Kristina Kelley as its new executive director...
Adrian Heffron, a young grower from Outlook, Washington
family background/Adrian is a fifth-generation farmer pursuing a horticulture degree at Wenatchee Valley College. He has two brothers, John and Ian, and is the son of Diana and John Heffron.
Viridiana (Viri) Acevedo, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/Viridiana is originally from Michoacán, Mexico, and grew up in Royal City. She is working on a degree at Wenatchee Valley College and is the daughter of Rafaela Saucedo and Leonardo Acevedo.