An industry advisory committee has been formed to work with Washington State University to decide how to spend the money that will be generated by a special research assessment on Washington apples and pears. The $1-per-ton assessment, which goes into effect with the 2012 crops, will provide $11 million for six endowed chairs to support WSU’s tree fruit research programs in perpetuity. Another $11 million endowment will fund several new positions in information and technology transfer. These nontenured positions will work with WSU Extension and focus on industry priorities. The special assessment will also ­provide $5 million for an endowment […]