Fresh Pear Committee nominations requested

Pear handlers and growers will elect nominees for positions on the Fresh Pear Committee (FPC) of Marketing Order #927. The committee is responsible for the collection of assessments for research and the promotion and advertising of all pears marketed in the domestic and export markets.

Pear handler FPC position, Yakima district: There is a handler FPC position for the Yakima district to be filled at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Yakima Convention Center at 10 N. Eighth St., Yakima, WA 98901. The handler member position is currently held by Ron Ball, first alternate is vacant and second alternate is John Borton. The member and second alternate can be re-elected, as one of a possible three consecutive terms has been served.

Pear grower FPC position, Wenatchee district: There is a grower FPC position for the Wenatchee district to be filled at 10:50 a.m. at the Pear Day meeting on Jan. 16 at the Wenatchee Convention Center at 121 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801. The grower member position is currently held by Dale Foreman, first alternate is Jim Koempel and second alternate is Bryon McDougall. A new member will need to be selected since Foreman has served three out of a possible three consecutive terms.

All pear growers and handlers are eligible to attend and participate in the respective nominations. The committee encourages women, minorities and the physically challenged, who qualify as pear growers/handlers, to attend and participate in the nomination proceedings. Names of those elected will be submitted to the U.S. secretary of agriculture for official appointment to the committee and will serve for a two-year period.

Processed Pear Committee nominations requested

Pear growers and handlers will elect nominees for positions on the Processed Pear Committee (PPC) of Marketing Order #927. The committee is responsible for the collection of assessments for research and overseeing the promotion of processed pears from Washington and Oregon.

Nominations will be held at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Yakima Convention Center at 10 N. Eighth St., Yakima, WA 98901. The Washington grower positions up for nomination are currently held by member Robert Ball, first alternate Jeff Baldwin and second alternate Ron Ball. The Washington handler positions up for nomination are currently held by member Scott Marboe, first alternate Dan Kenoyer and second alternate Ron Gonsalves.

All pear growers and handlers are eligible to attend and participate in the respective nominations. The committee encourages women, minorities and the physically challenged, who qualify as pear growers/handlers, to attend and participate in the nomination proceedings. Names of those elected will be submitted to the U.S. secretary of agriculture for official appointment to the committee and will serve for a two-year period.

Washington Cherry Marketing Committee representatives to be selected

Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee will take place during industry meetings in January. The committee establishes grade, size and pack regulations for fresh sweet cherries from designated counties in Washington.

Nominations for District 1 will be held at the North Central Washington Stone Fruit Day at the Wenatchee Convention Center on Jan. 15. Growers whose terms expire in 2019 are Casey Collins (Marc Egerton, alternate) and Ed Clark (Dennis Berdan, alternate). Handlers whose terms expire in 2019 are Jim Colbert (Ron Gonsalves, alternate) and Tate Mathison (Michael Taylor, alternate).

Nominations for District 2 will take place during the Cherry Institute meeting at the Yakima Convention Center on Jan. 18. Growers whose terms expire in 2019 are Donnie Olmstead (Bob Harris, alternate), Gary Ormiston (Ed Skelton, alternate) and Camille Smith (Dennis Jones, alternate). The handler whose term will expire in 2019 is Cindy Alarcon (Robert Ball, alternate). All positions expire as of March 31.

These meetings are open to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability. Persons who require special accommodations should contact Karley Lange, 509-853-3505, at least two days before the meeting.

Washington Apricot Marketing Committee representatives to be selected

Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee will take place during industry meetings in January. The committee establishes grade, size and pack regulations for fresh apricots from designated counties in Washington.

Nominations for District 1 will be held at the North Central Washington Stone Fruit Day at the Wenatchee Convention Center on Jan. 15. Growers whose terms expire on March 31 are Lyle R. Hamon (Jenny Dahlsteadt, alternate) and Ata Yazdaniha (vacant, alternate). Handler positions that expire on March 31 are Larry Blakley (Carl Tweten, alternate).

Nominations for District 2 will take place during the Cherry Institute meeting at the Yakima Convention Center on Jan. 18. Growers whose terms expire on March 31 are Bert Pense (vacant, alternate) and Rena M. Doornink (vacant, alternate). Handlers whose terms expire on March 31 are Sean Gilbert (Thomas Hale, alternate).

These meetings are open to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability. Persons who require special accommodations should contact Linda Calderon, 509-853-3508, at least two days before the meeting.