Several growers listen to Tom Auvil, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, talk about WA 38 during a preharvest preview of the variety in Prosser, Washington on September 17, 2014. Twenty four winners were announced for an opportunity to grow the first trees, including Mark Hanrahan, who is standing right of Auvil.<b> (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)</b>

Several growers listen to Tom Auvil, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, talk about WA 38 during a preharvest preview of the variety in Prosser, Washington on September 17, 2014. Twenty four winners were announced for an opportunity to grow the first trees, including Mark Hanrahan, who is standing right of Auvil. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Washington State University has announced the winners of a drawing held to decide who will be able to purchase the first trees of the new apple variety Cosmic Crisp (WA 38 cultivar), which will be available for planting in the spring of 2017.

Twenty-four names were selected from the 445 applications the university received. The drawing was divided into two tiers. Tier one consisted of 12 lots of 3,000 to 5,000 trees each, and tier two had 12 lots of up to 20,000 trees each.

Other growers will have the opportunity to grow the variety as the availability of certified WA 38 planting stock increases.

Drawing winners list from the announcement:

Tier 1 drawing winners:

Leah Eddie
Harris Farms
Jeff Freepons
Mark Hanrahan
Konnowac Orchards, LLC
Conor Kilian
Dalbir Bains
Brook Besor
Melissa Mathis
Cowan Orchards, Inc.
Cox Canyon Vineyards
Ross Montierth

Tier 2 drawing winners:

Double S Orchards, LLC
Weippert Orchard Terrace Heights, LLC
Weippert Orchard Maple Leaf, LLC
Kludt-Waldron Orchards, Inc.
Weasel Ranch, LLC
Mustang Ranch, LLC
F. Lorraine Mathison Grantor Trust
Bob Mathison
Stephen van Someren Greve
HLH Properties, LLC
Stemilt World Famous Compost, LLC
Lyall Family Farms