Spring is finally upon us, and I’m hopeful that means the start to what will be a fruitful season ahead.

The staff at Good Fruit Grower is gearing up to learn about new varieties and new technologies, both in the field and on the horizon, and to share those stories and the voices behind them with you in the months ahead. As always, we are committed to our mission of educating growers and bringing you the information you need to ensure your continued success.

In recent years, a key to that mission has been our investment in serving the Spanish-speaking members of our industry. The Good Fruit Grower en Español website (goodfruit.com/es) has been online since late 2016, and today it features hundreds of timeless articles, translated from the English magazine, and dozens of instructional videos meant to ensure all segments of our industry remain informed (goodfruit.com/es/fotos-y-videos).

Now we’re taking the next step: I’m pleased to announce that Good Fruit Grower has hired Jean Dibble, a biliterate writer and translator, to grow Good Fruit Grower en Español and build upon our efforts.

Jean brings a wealth of experience to the position: She helped to launch two Spanish-language newspapers in Washington — in Yakima and Wenatchee — and has taught both English and Spanish college-level courses. She also brings an understanding of diverse cultures, having lived extensively in six countries, most recently in China, where she taught English to students. Among her other stops: Mexico, Spain and Honduras.

We believe her vast experience will serve her well in this new role.

“It’s good to be back in Central Washington,” she said. “My combined years at El Sol de Yakima and Informe Hispano, local Spanish-language weekly newspapers in Yakima and Wenatchee, taught me a lot. I’m in awe of the powerful, creative and ambitious communities I was honored to write for.”

Jean said her goal is to make sure the Spanish-speaking farming community can benefit from the latest research and industry information Good Fruit Grower has to offer. “I can’t wait to get started,” she said.

Good Fruit Grower en Español has been championed by the Washington State Fruit Commission, which owns and publishes Good Fruit Grower, and by its board. A loyal group of advisors and volunteers donated countless hours to the project and remain steadfast in ensuring its success. It was also made possible by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, which provided seed money through a Specialty Crop Block Grant, and the continued support of our founding sponsor, G.S. Long Co., along with sponsorship from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association and Northwest Farm Credit, now AgWest Farm Credit.

Jean represents the first Good Fruit Grower employee dedicated solely to our Spanish-language edition, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her join us. If you have ideas for the continued growth of Good Fruit Grower en Español, she can be reached by email at: jean@goodfruit.com.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, send an email to Germaine Etcheverry Newstead (germaine@goodfruit.com) or Julie Sears (julie@goodfruit.com), or call 509-853-3520.

A special note: As if the devastation left by Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand wasn’t enough, we’re now seeing the damage from the repeated storms that have battered our friends in California. We wish you all moments of peace — and time to take a breath — as you assess the future and begin to repair and rebuild. Though this is a competitive global industry, it is a modest and bonded community of growers, and we send good thoughts to you all.

—by Shannon Dininny