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Harrison Van Meekeren, a young grower from Lakeville, Nova Scotia
family background / Harrison grew up in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and is
Washington Winegrowers elect board members
The Washington Winegrowers Association elected board members and officers at their annual meeting held in
IFTA Heuser lecturer: Start with the problem
Agriculture’s ability to collect data is greater than its ability to model and interpret data,
Ryan Johnson, a young grower from Harrah, Washington
family background/Ryan is an operations manager at the nursery. He grew up working various jobs
Sale of Broetje Orchards creates FirstFruits Farms
New owner plans to continue many employee-support programs created by Broetje.
IFTA bestows awards
Paul Wafler of Wafler Farms was named the Outstanding Grower for 2019 by the International
Stephen Garczynski, 1960-2019
Stephen Garczynski, research geneticist at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Wapato, Washington, died Feb.
USApple announces 2019 Young Apple Leaders
The U.S. Apple Association announced its class of 2019 Young Apple Leaders, a group of
Roland Markgraf, a young grower from Kelowna, British Columbia
family background / Roland will be graduating from University of British Columbia with a degree
Winegrowers awards
The Washington Winegrowers presented their annual industry awards on Feb. 14 in Kennewick, Washington.
Rick Hamman,
IFTA founder Wallace Heuser has died
Wallace Heuser, recognized internationally as an authority on tree fruit, rootstocks and orchard systems, has
BC Tree Fruits restructures
BC Tree Fruits, which packs the bulk of British Columbia’s apples, has laid off a
Nereyida Ponce, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
family background/Nereyida grew up on her family’s farm growing Concord grapes. She is pursuing her
Acclaimed honey bee geneticist receives UC Davis Distinguished Emeritus Award
Internationally acclaimed honey bee geneticist and University of California, Davis alumnus Robert E. Page Jr.
Mike Willett crowned 75th Cherry King
Mike Willett, manager of the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission, was crowned the 2019
Dan Norman, a young grower from Sparta, Michigan
family background/ Dan is a first-generation tree fruit grower who wants to build on the
Washington State Grape Society awards
Grape Society President Bill Riley presented the organization’s annual awards at the Washington State Grape
Michelle Cortens, a young grower from Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
family background/Michelle is the first generation in her family in agriculture. She grew up in
Chelan Fruit announces new interim CEO
The Chelan Fruit Cooperative board of directors announced CEO Reggie Collins will transition from his
Fresh Pear Committee nominations sought for Mid-Columbia district
Pear growers will elect nominees for positions on the Fresh Pear Committee (FPC) of Marketing
Young growers learning and growing together
Field day and workshop events for early career industry professionals provide support and encouragement.
Flor Maldonado, a young grower from Tonasket, Washington
family background / Flor grew up on farms, since she was a small child, helping
Growing generations: 2018 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Block by block, the Plath family has grown a company — and a reputation for quality — by focusing on every aspect of fruit production from tree to market.
Growing potential: 2018 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Funding education is a top priority for the Plath family.
To see opportunities, look at the world differently – Hort Show preview
Keynote speaker at the WSTFA Annual Meeting says the future doesn’t have to surprise us.
Helping the family that grows together to stay together – EXPO preview
Featured speaker at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO will discuss strategies for family farm businesses.
Pear Bureau Northwest hires Angela Daniels as event coordinator
Daniels brings prior experience in events, communications and marketing
Grape Society annual meeting
Awards and the search for a soil connection to chlorosis at the final day of the Washington State Grape Society annual meeting.
Call for committee nominations
Pear, cherry and apricot growers and handlers can submit committee nominations at industry meetings in December and January.
Devyani Isabel Gupta, a young grower in Walla Walla, Washington
family background / Devyani, a past recipient of the Walter J. Clore Scholarship, obtained a
Doug Gore announces retirement from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
The Woodinville, Washington-based wine maker also announced the promotions of two vice presidents.
Matt Duke, a young grower in Yakima, Washington
family background/Matt is the first generation of his family to work in agriculture. He has
WAEF honors volunteers for service
Xochitl Velazquez, Steve Clive and Washington Fruit & Produce were honoredfor their service to the foundation’s efforts with educational opportunities and scholarship awards.
Constance Savage named general manager of L’Ecole N° 41
L’Ecole’s current general manager Debbie Frol will retire at the end of the year.
Entomologist joins WSU’s Extension Center in Wenatchee
Tobin Northfield will work to develop sustainable strategies to contain pests that threaten apple, pear, cherry and other fruit crops.
Stannard named new chair at USApple
She has been in the apple business since 1996 and is owner of New York Apple Sales, Inc., one of the largest marketers of New York state apples.
Madeleine van Roechoudt, a young grower from Lake Country, British Columbia
family background/ Madeleine continues a multigenerational farm that began north of Kelowna in 1949. The
Ste. Michelle president and CEO to retire
Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, is ending his storied and acclaimed career with the company.
New leader for Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission has named Ines Hanrahan as its executive director, replacing retiring manager Mike Willett.
Alan R. Sams hired as new dean for OSU’s ag sciences college
Sams, who worked in prominent agricultural programs at both Texas A&M and Clemson universities, will start work on Oct. 31.
Guilherme Fontanella Sander, a young grower from Vale do Sol, Brazil
family background / Guilherme grew up working alongside his father Renato and mother Edna at
Woodall joins Michigan Apple Committee as regional manager
The Michigan Apple Committee has hired John Woodall as regional manager covering the northern region of the U.S.
Adams joins Washington Apple Commission’s communications team
The Washington Apple Commission has hired Toni Lynn Adams as a communications outreach coordinator.
Steven Murray Jr., a young grower from Bakersfield, California
family background / Steven has helped change Murray Family Farms’ business, adding farm markets and
New statewide IPM coordinator named for Oregon
Katie Murray, of Oregon State University’s Integrated Plant Protection Center, has been appointed statewide integrated pest management coordinator for Oregon, according to a statement from OSU.
Pear Bureau Northwest hires regional marketing manager
Pear Bureau Northwest hires regional marketing manager
A mighty idea
Mighty Tieton founder working to turn fruit labels into giant mosaics.
Elizabeth Bourcier, a young grower from Walla Walla, Washington
family background / Elizabeth studied winemaking and viticulture at Walla Walla Community College and California
Rayapati named assistant dean, director for WSU
Washington State University grape virologist Naidu Rayapati has been named an assistant dean at the
Nick Anderson, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
family background/ Nick graduated from Columbia Gorge Community College, married Annabeth and has a young