Industry Organizations
COLUMBIA BASIN TREE FRUIT SOCIETY
9795 A Road H S.E.
Othello, Washington 99344
509-346-1377
John Pappe, President
Jim Fleming, Vice President
Sandy Lawrence, Secretary/Treasurer
GOOD FRUIT GROWER
105 South 18th Street, Suite 217
Yakima, WA 98901-2149
509-575-2315; FAX 509-453-4880; 800-487-9946
Jim Black, Managing Editor, Ext. 209
1505 N. Miller, #260
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Geraldine Warner, Editor, 509-665-3330
E-mail: growing@goodfruit.com
Web site: http://www.goodfruit.com
Published since 1946 and owned by the Washington State Fruit Commission, Good Fruit Grower is a periodic magazine circulated to all commercial tree fruit producers who pay an assessment in Washington State. The publication also reaches subscribers throughout the United States and 45 foreign countries that support a deciduous tree fruit industry. Good Fruit Grower is published twice monthly January through May and once a month June through December. An on-line Web site, complete with search engine, is available free to subscribers. The publication covers all aspects of tree fruit and grape production, including cultural practices, chemical and integrated pest management, irrigation, frost control, thinning, labor, promotion, economics, post harvest handling, and storage.
INTERNATIONAL FRUIT TREE ASSOCIATION
Susan Pheasant, Business Director
PO Box 5006
Wenatchee, WA 98807-5006
509-665-3812; FAX 509-665-4912
Web site: http://www.ifruittree.org
Dr. Bruce Barritt, Education Director
WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
1100 N. Western Avenue
Wenatchee, Washington 98801
509-663-8181; FAX 509-664-0526
E-mail: etaplz@wsu.edu
IFTA was established in 1958 "to promote an understanding of the nature and use of dwarf fruit trees through research, education and dissemination of information." In furtherance of its mission, to be the leading international organization advancing intensive orchard systems, IFTA:
- Conducts an educational conference annually in February.
- Publishes the conference proceedings and additional articles in the quarterly journal Compact Fruit Tree.
- Conduncts an annual orchard/short tour in June.
- Sponsors international tree fruit study tours.
- Provides funding support for research projects through the Rootstock Research Fund.
THE MARKETING ASSOCIATION
2900 Euclid Avenue
Wenatchee, Wa 98801
509-664-5150; FAX 509-662-5842
Bruce H. Grim, Manager
The Marketing Associations is the term given to the family of marketing cooperatives created last year in compliance with the Capper-Volstead Act which gives agricultural producers, their handlers and sales agents, the legal ability to discuss market information that they would otherwise be unable to discuss. Four separate associations have been created: The Washington Apple Growers Marketing Association (WAGMA); the Washington Pear Marketing Association (WPMA); the Mid-Columbia Pear Marketing Association (MCPMA); and the Northwest Cherry Marketing Association (NWCMA). Each association is a separate legal entity governed by its own Board of Directors. The associations are staffed by Bruce Grim, Manager and Nicole Brunner, Administrative Assistant.
NATIONAL CHERRY GROWERS AND INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION
2667 Reed Road
Hood River, Oregon 97231
541-386-5761, FAX 541-386-3191
John Carter, Board Chair
Dana Bronson, Administrator
The National Cherry Growers and Industries Foundation (commonly called simply NCGIF) is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1946 for the purpose of having a unified effort from the processed cherry industry to lobby against excessive cherry imports. It then evolved that assessments were used for promotion of maraschino, canned, and frozen cherries. The foundation collects contributions from the states of Oregon, Washington, California, Michigan, and Utah, most of which is passed through to professional promotional agencies. It is governed by an 18-member board, consisting of one grower and one briner from California; one grower or briner from both Utah and Idaho; two growers, two briners, and one canner from both Michigan and Oregon; and two growers, one briner, and one canner from Washington. The foundation compiles and distributes to members a yearly statistical publication of information regarding cherry production, utilization, and sales, both import and export.
NORTHWEST CHERRY GROWERS
105 South 18th Street, Suite 205
Yakima, Washington 98901
509-453-4837; FAX 509-453-4880
Web site: www.nwcherries.com
B.J. Thurlby, President
Operating under the umbrella of the Washington State Fruit Commission, Northwest Cherry Growers, comprised of fresh sweet-cherry producers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah, joined together in cooperative marketing and promotion efforts in 1966.
NORTHWEST FRESH BARTLETT MARKETING COMMITTEE
4382 SE International Way, Suite A
Milwaukie, OR 97222-4635
503-652-9720; FAX 503-652-9721
E-mail: nfbmc@usapears.com
Kevin Moffit, Manager
The Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee is responsible for establishing fruit grade, size, and container standards, as well as collecting and disseminating inventory and movement statistics for the fresh Bartlett industry in Oregon and Washington. Information collected and distributed by the organization plays a vital role in the marketing and promotion of fresh Northwest Bartletts. Growers and shippers of fresh Bartletts and other commercially grown summer varieties established the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee as USDA Federal Marketing Order #931. The organization is governed by a 14- member committee of industry members elected from each of the pear growing regions in Oregon and Washington. Offices and administrative costs for the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing committee are shared with the Pear Bureau Northwest and other federal and state marketing orders in Milwaukie, Oregon.
NORTHWEST FRUIT EXPORTERS
Apples/Sweet Cherries
105 South 18th Street, Suite 227
Yakima, WA 98901
509-576-8004; FAX 509-576-3646
nfe@goodfruit.com
Jim Archer, Manager
Fred Scarlett, Assistant Manager
Northwest Fruit Exporters (NFE) is a nonprofit corporation that coordinates activities of its members, including growers, packers, and exporters, in connection with the exporting of fresh apples and sweet cherries. The organization was incorporated as a legal framework within which growers, packers, and exporters in the Pacific Northwest could manage and facilitate the export marketing preparation procedures required by the Japanese government for the importation of fresh sweet cherries into their markets. The Apple Commodity Committee of NFE was formed in 1992 to work toward the export marketing of fresh apples to the destinations of Mexico, mainland China, and Japan. NFE’s charter enumerates among its responsibilities the marketing, the preparations necessary for the marketing, and the arrangement of transportation to the market destination.
NORTHWEST HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL
105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, WA 98901
509-453-3193; FAX 509-457-7615
www.nwhort.org
Christian Schlect, President
Mark Powers, Vice President
Michael J. Willett, Ph.D
Vice President for Scientific Affairs
Deborah Carter, Technical Issues Manager
The council, founded in 1947, represents the tree fruit industry of the Pacific Northwest on policy issues at the federal and international levels, which have an impact on growers and shippers. The council originally was dedicated to resolving transportation problems encountered by Pacific Northwest tree fruit shippers. In subsequent years, the mission of the council has evolved to include farm labor, agricultural chemicals, food safety, and international trade relations. It has been active in the facilitation of efforts to open overseas markets to pears, apples, sweet cherries, and other tree fruits. The Northwest Horticultural Council is funded by assessments levied on a carload-shipped basis on member associations and commissions in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
NORTHWEST NURSERY IMPROVEMENT INSTITUTE (NNII)
PO Box 10072
Yakima, WA 98909
509-576-3047; FAX 509-454-7858
Bill Howell, Director
Howell@bentonrea.com
The Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute is comprised of fruit tree nurserymen and fruit tree rootstock growers in Washington and Oregon. The purpose of the organization is to promote and develop funding for research programs, to improve nursery products, and to develop for propagation new varieties of deciduous tree fruits. A major thrust of the association’s efforts in recent years has been to select, maintain, and evaluate new, potentially valuable, stone fruit clones left over when the U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Washington State University stone fruit breeding program at Prosser was closed.
OKANOGAN HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 1069
Tonasket, WA 98855
509-486-4247; FAX 509-486-4786
Noble Law, Secretary
John Bartella, President
Representing both growers and field representatives in Washington State’s largest county, the association coordinates grower education classes and field tours, and recently was instrumental in bringing PAWS (Public Agricultural Weather System) to the area. Okanogan County has 30,000 acres in tree fruit production, which contribute $260,000,000 to the economy.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST CANNED PEAR SERVICE
c/o Washington State Fruit Commission
105 South 18th Street, Suite 205
Yakima, WA 98901
509-453-4837; FAX 509-453-4880
E-mail: infor@pnw.cannedpears.com
BJ Thurlby, Manager
The primary function of the Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service is to provide information about canned pears to consumers. Through public relations and other marketing activities, it provides consumers with innovative and simple-to-follow recipes, nutritional information and other relevant material. Through the efforts of the Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service, editors and consumers alike are kept informed about this popular canned fruit.
PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST
4382 SE International Way
Milwaukie, OR 97222-4635
503-652-9720; FAX 503-652-9721
E-mail: info@usapears.com
Web site: www.usapears.com
Kevin Moffit, President and CEO
The Pear Bureau Northwest is a nonprofit marketing organization established by pear growers and shippers in Oregon and Washington to promote, advertise, and develop markets for fresh pears grown in the two northwestern states. Through professional field representatives in the United States and abroad, and through the organization’s Milwaukie, Oregon, headquarters, the Pear Bureau coordinates market-support activities designed to increase consumption of fresh pears and maximize the rate of return to pear growers. Created in 1931, the Pear Bureau’s activities now reach over 30 world markets. Activities supporting winter pears are conducted under the generic "USA Pear" label, and for fresh Bartletts, under the generic "Northwest Bartletts" label. A Board of Trustees, comprised of elected representatives from each of the pear growing regions, governs the Pear Bureau. An executive committee and chairman, elected from board of trustee members, provides oversight and direction to Pear Bureau management. The Pear Bureau Northwest operates under contracts from several federal and state marketing orders. Among them are: the Winter Pear Control Committee, the Northwest Fresh Bartlett Marketing Committee, the Oregon Bartlett Pear Commission, and the Washington State Fruit Commission. Offices and administrative costs for each of the organizations, with exception of the Washington State Fruit Commission, are shared.
TREE TOP
220 East Second Avenue, P.O. Box 248
Selah, WA 98942
Tom Stokes, CEO
Lindsay Buckner, Senior Vice President, Field Services
Northern Field Department: 800-548-4246
Southern Field Department: 800-548-4691
Web site: http://www.treetop.com
Tree Top was established as a fruit-processing cooperative in 1960 and now has 2,500 active members in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The cooperative is headquartered in Selah, Washington, with five processing plants in Washington State, one processing plant in Oregon, and a bottling facility in the Los Angeles area. It provides employment for some 1,350 people with sales of $211 million. Tree Top produces a full range of pure juice products and a diverse line of 25% juice drinks. Tree Top also produces and sells in bulk an extensive array of dried, frozen, and concentrated fruit products as ingredients used in the food industry.
U.S. APPLE ASSOCIATION
8233 Old Courthouse Rd, Suite 200
Vienna, VA 22182-3816
703-442-8850; FAX 703-790-0845
Web site: www.usapple.org
Nancy Foster, President and CEO
James R. Cranney, Jr., Vice President, Industry Services USApple is the national trade association that represents U.S. apple industry interests in Washington, D.C. Its goals are to increase demand for apples and apple products, and provide information on matters pertaining to the industry. Food safety, government regulation of agricultural chemicals, and trade barriers on export markets are continuing issues on which USApple is an advocate for growers, packers, shippers, and processors. Besides the legislative, regulatory, and trade activities in the nation’s capital, USApple conducts educational and promotional programs during the year to boost the image of both fresh and processed apples with consumers. USApple has been active in promoting "National Apple Month" and the "5 A Day For Better Health" program. USApple holds its Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference in Chicago each year in August. The meeting looks at state-by-state crop prospects for the coming apple harvest, the competition that could be posed by other produce items from both domestic and foreign production areas, and the global industry marketplace. USApple sponsors other educational forums and networking opportunities, including at the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association’s annual conference and exhibition.
USDA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
1104 North Western Avenue
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-664-2280; FAX 509-664-2287
Dr. James Mattheis, Research Leader, Plant Pathology
USDA YAKIMA RESEARCH LABORATORY
USDA Agricultural Research Service
5230 Konnowac Pass Road
Wapato, WA 98951
509-454-6550
E-mail: insects@yarl.ars.usda.gov
Web site: http://pwa.ars.usda.gov/yarl/index.html
Dr. Peter Landolt, Research Leader
WASHINGTON AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 13348
Spokane, Washington 99213-3348
509-926-9113; FAX 509-926-6993
E-mail: drr@ior.com
Web site: www.agforestry.org
David Roseleip, President
WASHINGTON APPLE COMMISSION
P.O. Box 18
Wenatchee, Washington 98807
509-663-9600; FAX 509-662-5824
Web site: www.bestapples.com
Dave Carlson, President
The purpose of the commission is to conduct a cooperative advertising and merchandising program for the state’s apple growers. The commission has 14 members, nine growers, four shippers and the Director of Agriculture, and is representative of all major production districts of the state. Formed in 1937 to speak on behalf of the Washington apple growers, the Commission now collects 3.5 cents per box and administers the export program with the assistance of Market Access Program funding, protects the logo and intellectual materials of the Commission, provides services to the industry on a “fee for service” basis, funds industry organization that work on behalf of the growers and communicates to the industry.
WASHINGTON APPLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 3720
Wenatchee, WA 98807
509-663-7713; FAX 509-663-7469
E-mail: waef@waef.org
Web site: http://www.waef.org
Jennifer Witherbee, Executive Director
The Washington Apple Education Foundation is a charitable 501 (c) 3 organization which serves as the industry’s foundation. Its purpose is to promote, coordinate, and develop educational activities on behalf of the tree fruit industry. Key program areas are scholarships, industry education, and nutrition education. Annual events include a fundraising raffle, children’s art contest, annual fund drive, two charity golf tournaments, and an annual meeting. Established in 1994, it is governed by a board of directors and various committees.
WASHINGTON GROWERS CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION
1505 N. Miller, #260 P.O. Box 2207
Wenatchee, WA 98807-2207
509-662-6181; FAX 509-664-6670
E-mail: clearhse@waclearinghouse.org
Web site: www.waclearinghouse.org
Kirk Mayer, Manager
The Washington Growers Clearing House Association represents 2,200 fruit growers. Governed by a board of fruit growers elected from 24 growing districts in north central Washington, Yakima Valley, and the Columbia Basin, it publishes a weekly bulletin tabulating prices obtained by the participating regional marketing organizations and shippers for apples, pears and cherries which is distributed to its membership. The sales figures are listed by variety, size, storage, grade and price. This information is tabulated yearly to provide year-end summaries. The grower group discusses fruit marketing, prices and supplies. The Washington Growers Clearing House Association also represents growers' interests in legislative and regulatory issues at the state and federal levels. Clearing House staff and board members frequently testify and participate at legislative and regulatory meetings.
WASHINGTON GROWERS LEAGUE
406 West Chestnut Avenue
Yakima, Washington 98902
509-575-6315; FAX 509-452-4834
E-mail: wgl@televar.com
Mike Gempler, Executive Director
The league assists agricultural employers in dealing with all agricultural labor-related issues. The league performs an advocacy function for ag employers relative to labor-related legislative issues and the regulations promulgated based on labor legislation. At present, the league is representing member interests with regard to such issues as immigration, farm worker occupational safety and health, wage and hour laws and regulations, farm worker housing, and seasonal unemployment, among others. The league offers compliance handbooks, legal information, and classes to its members.
WASHINGTON-OREGON CANNING PEAR ASSOCIATION
105 South 18th Street, Suite 218
Yakima, WA 98901
509-576-3088; FAX 509-453-4880
E-mail: wocpa@yvn.com
Jay Grandy, Secretary/Manager
The association represents Bartlett pear producers in Oregon and Washington states. The association was formed to bargain on behalf of member producers with canning pear processors in Oregon and Washington to establish the per ton price growers receive for their Bartlett pears of a determined grade and size. In addition to its bargaining mandate, the association has become an information clearing house for both canneries and Bartlett pear producers in the two states. The association works closely with both fresh and canned product promoters and marketers to boost the sales and consumption of canned pears, including the Pear Bureau Northwest and the Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service.
WASHINGTON STATE FRUIT COMMISSION
105 South 18th Street, Suite 205
Yakima, WA 98901-2149
509-453-4837; FAX 509-453-4880
Web site: www.nwcherries.com
Web site: www.pnw-canned pears.com
B.J. Thurlby, President
The Washington State Fruit Commission was founded in 1947 as a nonprofit organization funded by grower assessments for the purpose of promotion, market development, research and education of soft fruits grown in Washington State. Fruit representation has shifted over the years. Peaches, prunes, plums, cherries and apricots were included in the original law and nectarines were added in 1984. The commission promoted Italian Prunes as Northwest Prune Plums with Oregon and Idaho from the 1960s through 1983. As of 1984, Washington began promoting other plum varieties and promotions were defined as Washington Prunes and Washington Plums. Northwest sweet cherry growers had been informally promoting their sweet cherries together for several years, but in the 1950s, Washington and Oregon sweet cherry growers joined in formal promotions. Idaho joined in 1966, at which time the Northwest Cherry Growers was officially organized. Utah joined in 1967.
WASHINGTON STATE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
1505 N. Miller
260 PO Box 136
Wenatchee, WA 98807
509-665-9641, FAX 509-665-8541
www.wahort.org
Jim Hazen, Executive Director
Now in its 95th year, the Washington State Horticultural Association is the tree fruit industry’s advocate. Hort’s goal is to advance and enhance the tree fruit industry through education, training, and issue management. The three-day annual meeting and accompanying trade show each December alternates between Wenatchee and Yakima
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
411 Hulbert Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-6230
509-335-2926; FAX 509-335-2926
John Winder, Associate Dean and
Associate Director of Cooperative Extension
EXTENSION SPECIALIST
Dr. Thomas Schotzko, Marketing, 509-335-2854
RESEARCH
Dr. Thomas Wahl, Director, IMPACT, 509-335-6653
Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
Dr. William Hendrix, Chair 509-335-9502
WSU IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE RESEARCH & EXTENSION CENTER
24106 North Bunn Road
Prosser, WA 99350-8694
509-786-2226; FAX 509-786-9370
www.prosser.wsu.edu
Sharon Taff, Assistant to the Director
taffs@wsu.edu
WSU NATIONAL VIRUS-TESTED FRUIT TREE PROGRAM
WSU-IAREC
24106 North Bunn Road
Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-9251; FAX 509-786-9370
Gary Grove, Director
Bill Howell, Manger
E-mail: bhowell@beta.tricity.wsu.edu
Web site: www.nrsp5.wsu.edu
WSU NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON RESEARCH & EXTENSION CENTER
WSU Mt. Vernon REU
16650 State Route 536
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-848-6131; FAX 360-848-6159
Dr. W.C. Anderson, Station Manager
TREE FRUIT RESEARCH
Gary Moulton, Horticulturist
E-mail: gamoulton@wsu.edu
WSU PUYALLUP RESEARCH& EXTENSION CENTER
7612 Pioneer Way
E. Puyallup, WA 98371-4998
WSU TREE FRUIT RESEARCH & EXTENSION CENTER
1100 North Western Avenue
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-663-8181; FAX 509-662-8714
Dr. Jay Brunner, Director, Ext. 238
AREA TREE FRUIT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION EDUCATORS
BENTON-FRANKLIN COUNTIES
1121 Dudley Avenue
Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-5609; FAX 509-786-5525
Jack Watson
E-mail: watson@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu
CHELAN-DOUGLAS-OKANOGAN COUNTIES
400 Washington Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801-2855
509-664-5540; FAX 509-664-5561
Web site: http://www.ncw.wsu.edu
Timothy J. Smith
E-mail: smithtj@wsu.edu
GRANT-ADAMS COUNTIES
9795A Road H S.E.
Othello, WA 99344
509-346-1377; FAX 509-346-1323
Karen Lewis
E-mail: kmlewis@wsu.edu
SKAGIT COUNTY
306 South First Street
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
360-428-4270; FAX 360-428-4263
Dyvon M. Havens
E-mail: dyvonh@co.skagit.wa.us
WHATCOM COUNTY
1000 N. Forest Street, Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225-5594
360-676-6736; FAX 360-738-2458
Craig B. MacConnell
E-mail: cbmac@wsu.edu
YAKIMA COUNTY
128 N. 2nd St., Room 233
Yakima County Courthouse
Yakima, WA 98901-2631
509-574-1600; FAX 509-574-1601
Dr. Dana Faubion
E-mail: faubiond@wsu.edu
Dr. Mike Bush
E-mail: bushm@wsu.edu
WASHINGTON TREE FRUIT RESEARCH COMMISSION
1719 Springwater
Wenatchee, WA, 98801
509-665-8271
James Doornink, Chair
Jim McFerson, Manager
Established by the Washington State legislature in 1969 as a political subdivision, the commission is grower-funded and grower-administered. Funding is achieved through a per-ton assessment on all commercial tree fruit producers in Washington State. Each year, the nine-member board allocates about $3,000,000 in research funding. The overriding purpose of the commission is to support applied research that gives growers tools they can take to the field and immediately implement. The benefits that have accrued to Washington growers from their research investments are incalculable. There are few aspects of tree fruit production and handling the commission’s research efforts have not addressed since its formation.
WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-682-6610
Dr. Kent Mullinix, Director; Marlys Barrett; Jim DuBruille; Leo Garcia; Dr. Bob Gillespie
The Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) agriculture department has four courses of study supporting Washington State’s tree fruit industry. 1) The Orchard Business Management Program provides extensive instruction to professional orchardists in financial management of the orchard business. 2) The Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program utilizes a variety of educational means to increase the technical skills of the tree fruit industry’s large Hispanic work force. 3) The Washington Tree Fruit Program is the nation’s largest, most intensive undergraduate pomology program. Developed and offered in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Washington State University (WSU), students begin their studies at Wenatchee Valley College and, after two years of study, take an additional two years of study with WSU to earn Associate and Baccalaureate degrees. All classes are available at WVC. The curriculum features an exceptional combination of classroom and applied industry/orchard-based studies. Graduates prepare to function as leading professional horticulturists in the Pacific Northwest fruit industry. 4) WVC/WSU offer a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology, with an integrated pest management (IPM) elective. This option is designed to train professional integrated pest managers for deciduous tree fruit industries. The IPM option in the B.S. Entomology degree is an integrated, cooperative program coordinated between Wenatchee Valley College and the Washington State University Department of Entomology. The freshman and sophomore years of the program are completed at Wenatchee Valley College where the educational emphasis is on applied aspects of tree fruit production and integrated pest management through courses, teaching methodology and demonstration of orchard experiences, and professional internships in the industry. Wenatchee Valley College is located in the heart of Washington’s tree fruit industry and maintains orchard "classrooms" and well equipped facilities. The IPM major is a multi-disciplinary course of study. Students attaining this degree acquire a holistic perspective and ecological understanding of the philosophy, principles, and practices of pest management and train to become professional crop protection specialists.
WENATCHEE VALLEY TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION
37 S. Wenatchee Ave. Suite B
Wenatchee, WA 98807
509-662-2138; FAX 509-662-3127
Charles Pomianek, Manager
In early 1918, industry leaders increasingly became aware of the need for an industry organization to act as a common spokesperson and to assist shippers in the handling of their transportation problems. The association has been tracking the going and coming of fruit ever since. In the early 1970s, more than half the district’s apples were shipped by rail. Today, almost none are. In 1974, exports were not even tracked. Today, over 40 percent of north central Washington apples are sold into export markets. A prominent purpose of the WVTA is the pooling of information received from the association’s approximately 60 members on their apple and pear shipments and inventories. The shared information is then compiled into regular district-wide reports on shipments, exports, and storage holdings. The information allows member-shippers to make informed judgments on their individual pricing strategies and supply management decisions. In addition to the storage and movement reporting, the association issues credit ratings, based on information from members, to warn shippers of slow-paying buyers. The association also represents the packing industry on state regulatory issues and runs a medical insurance program for member warehouses.
WESTERN CASCADE FRUIT SOCIETY
6831 35th Avenue Northeast
Seattle, WA 98115
Ron Weston, President
George Moergeli, Secretary
Patti Gotz, WSFS Treasurer
1007 NE 71 St.
Seattle, WA, 98115
The Western Cascade Fruit Society is a nonprofit educational and public benefit organization for home orchardists and fruit culture hobbyists in the Puget Sound region of western Washington State. The society consists of a number of chapters formed by members who live in a specific Puget Sound area or who have special interests. Chapters are located in Seattle, Tacoma, north and south Olympic peninsula.
WESTERN WASHINGTON HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
2017 Continental Place #6
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-424-7327, FAX 360-424-9343
Mibe Shelby, Executive Secretary
Paul LaCroix, Secretary
E-mail: wwaa@fidalgo.net
The Western Washington Horticultural Association consists of members involved in the small fruit and vegetable industry in western Washington State. The purpose of the association is to keep its members informed on cultural procedure, crop protection, farm management, and regulatory issues of concern to them.
WINTER PEAR CONTROL COMMITTEE
4382 SE International Way, Suite A
Milwaukie, OR 97222-4635
503-652-9720; FAX 503-652-9721
E-mail: wpcc@usapears.com
Kevin Moffit, Manager
The Winter Pear Control Committee (WPCC) is responsible for establishing fruit grade, size, and container standards; conducting post-and pre-harvest research programs; collecting and disseminating industry statistics; and conducting national and international advertising, promotional, and market development activities. All marketing and promotional responsibilities of the Winter Pear Control Committee are contracted to the Pear Bureau Northwest, which coordinates a unified strategy of fresh pear promotion for the Northwest. Growers and shippers of fresh winter pears established the Winter Pear Control Committee in 1939, as USDA Federal Marketing Order #927. Members include all growers and shippers of fresh winter pears grown commercially in Oregon and Washington. A committee of 12 growers and shippers, elected from each of the pear-growing regions, governs the WPCC. Offices and administrative costs for the Winter Pear Control Committee are shared with the Pear Bureau Northwest and other federal and state marketing orders, in Milwaukie, Oregon.
YAKIMA POMOLOGICAL CLUB
P.O. Box 10812
Yakima, WA 98909
509-972-9858; FAX 509-697-9884
Jim Cowin, President
Jered Carlson, Vice President
Jason Matson, Secretary
Dan Plath, Treasurer
Penny Betsch, Trade Show Coordinator
The Yakima “POM” Club is a non-profit organization formed in the early 1940’s by local orchardists with three main purposes:
To promote the welfare of the tree fruit industry of Washington State by exchanging ideas and receiving and distributing information.
To encourage students to gain expertise in the field of pomology and related fruit industry.
To educate the general public about any and all matters relation to the production of food and the practices of the tree fruit industry.
There are currently 13 members, with many of the more progressive leaders of the industry represented in the club.
The main fundraiser is the Northwest Horticulture Exposition which is held annually in the Yakima Sundome. This is one of the largest horticultural trade shows in the United States. The majority of the proceeds go to the Washington State Horticultural Association. The balance of the monies are spent on fruit research projects; educational seminars for our members; and we award an annual scholarship.
YAKIMA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 22520
Yakima, WA 98907-2520
Programs in crop production/pest management, post harvest technology, and agribusiness management prepare students for direct entry into the agriculture industry or for transfer to specific four-year degree programs at Washington State University in Pullman.
YAKIMA VALLEY GROWERS-SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION
105 South 18th Street, Suite 116
Yakima, WA 98901
509-452-8555; FAX 509-452-8754
http://www.yvgsa.com
Keith Mathews, Executive Director
The Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association (YVGSA) represents the interests of some 60 packers of fresh tree fruits in the Yakima Valley. Those fresh-pack operations, along with additional 60 associate members who have an interest in the region’s fruit packing industry, make up the YVGSA membership.
The association acts as an information clearing house and service provider for its members, and represents association member interests with regard to both regulatory and legislative issues at the local and state levels. The association offers an extensive package of statistical reports on the production, storage, and marketing of the region’s fresh market fruits, and tracks industry accounts receivables on a weekly basis. Program offerings include a medical/dental plan and a Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Retroactive Rating Plan. The YVGSA’s boards of directors and support committees consider issues, develop positions, and direct all association activities.