Years ago, I used to just smile when my grandparents, with a knowing look, counseled that time passes more quickly the older you get.
So, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that my first thought when I prepared to write this column was, “Where did the year go?” But when I started to check off all that the Good Fruit Grower staff has accomplished this year, I quickly realized why the year flew by: We’ve been busy!
This fall, editor Kate Prengaman and digital producer TJ Mullinax produced a package for this issue that honors and celebrates the magazine’s 27th Grower of the Year, the Douglas family of Douglas Fruit in Pasco, Washington.
Brothers John and Bill Douglas founded the company. John’s daughters, Holly and Jill, shepherded it through a period of growth, and Bill’s sons, David, John and Pete, are leading Douglas Fruit into the future for the next generation. In addition to being successful growers and business owners, the family serves the industry on boards, through participation in research trials and industry education efforts. We’re honored to share their story with you.
Among their education efforts: working with Washington State University to share advice about stone fruit and inviting other growers to their orchards to share experiences growing WA 38, the apple marketed as Cosmic Crisp. That’s a fitting tie, given Good Fruit Grower’s recent work with WSU Extension’s Bernardita Sallato to inform growers.
Good Fruit Grower teamed up with Sallato to produce two videos, one on pruning basics and the other pruning WA 38 for crop load management. Both videos were produced in English and Spanish to ensure we reach and inform the widest possible audience. (For more on Sallato’s pruning tips and links to the videos, see “Pruning 101.”)
The partnership is just one way we’ve aimed to ensure growers have the information they need to succeed. Stay tuned for the results of other collaborations, coming soon.
Meanwhile, our team will be busy in the weeks ahead covering news and research from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting, the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO and the winter meetings still to come. Look for the latest in future issues of the magazine.
And even though we are all busy, my hope is that we all find time this season to unwind and recharge with loved ones. Wishing you and yours the best this winter.
—by Shannon Dininny
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