Good Fruit Grower

Pear Bureau and Fresh Pear Committee Annual Meeting
2025-05-13 - 2025-05-14 | Yakima Convention Center, 10 N 8th Street, Yakima, WA, United States
The Pear Bureau and Fresh Pear Committee 93rd Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13, and Wednesday, May 14, at the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N 8th St., Yakima, Washington. A reception will also be held on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Bale Breaker Brewing Co. Meeting details are below.
Tuesday, May 13
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: FPC Research Subcommittee Meeting
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Lunch Break (Boxed Lunches Provided)
12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: PBNW Domestic Promotion Subcommittee Meeting (featuring guest speakers)
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Break
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: PBNW Foreign Trade Development Subcommittee Meeting
5:30 p.m.: USA Pear Reception at Bale Breaker Brewing Co., 1801 Birchfield Rd, Yakima.
Wednesday, May 14
9:00 a.m.: Pear Bureau Northwest Board of Directors Meeting
11:00 a.m.: Fresh Pear Committee Meeting

Fresh Pear Committee elections
2025-03-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, 2835 Van Horn Dr, Hood River, OR, 97031, United States
Elections for a Mid-Columbia District Handler member and two alternates to the Fresh Pear Committee (FPC) of Marketing Order #927 are scheduled to be held at noon on March 10, 2025, at the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers Shipper Meeting to be held at the CGFG Offices located at 2835 Van Horn, Hood River, Oregon. The meeting will be in-person and will be hosted and moderated by Mike Doke.
Only Fresh Pear Handlers from the Mid-Columbia District (includes Hood River and Wasco counties in the state of Oregon and the counties of Skamania and Klickitat in the state of Washington) are eligible to nominate and vote in this election. The positions to be filled include: Member position held by Nathan Duckwall, the 1st Alternate position held by Devon Wells and the 2nd Alternate position held by Lee Lage.
These three positions are eligible for re-election since they have served 1 out of 3 possible consecutive terms. Names of those elected will be submitted to the United States Secretary of Agriculture for official appointment to the committee and will serve for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2025.
Among other duties, the Fresh Pear Committee is responsible for setting the assessment rates for research and promotion and advertising of all pears grown in Washington and Oregon marketed in the domestic and export markets.
The committee encourages women, minorities, and the physically challenged, who qualify as pear growers/handlers, to attend and participate in the nomination proceedings.

Pizza for Producers, Yakima WA
2025-03-08 16:00 - 19:00
Train with Cheryl Reese, Yakima County Farm Stress Coordinator and Don McMoran, Professor of Agriculture & Natural Resources, WSU, Skagit County

C.O.M.E.T. Training at 4pm
Pizza Pie Preparation and set up at 5:30pm
Pizza at 6pm

Anyone in agriculture is welcome to attend.

C.O.M.E.T.™ (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) trains community members how to initiate a supportive interaction when they encounter someone who is in a “vulnerable space” and help shift the person’s mental health trajectory back to a place of wellness instead of proceeding towards a mental health crisis.
C.O.M.E.T. aligns with rural cultural values of neighbor helping neighbor and communities being their own best resource.

Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission NW Pear Research Review
2025-02-20

Oregon State University Extension Cherry Day, The Dalles OR
2025-02-18
2025 Cherry Day
When: February 18 at 9 am
Location: Discovery Center Museum in The Dalles, OR

This event is free and registration is not necessary.

For more information, email Ashley Thompson at: ashley.thompson@oregonstate.edu

Agenda
9:00-9:05 — Welcome Dr. Ashley Thompson, OSU Extension
9:05-9:35 — Floral Biology and Fruit Development, Dr. Kelsey Galimba, OSU MCAREC
9:35-10:35 — Plant Growth Regulators for Cherry Production, Dr. Jozsef Racsko, Valent USA
10:35-10:45 — Break
10:45-11:00 — USDA ARS New Postharvest Pathologist, Dr. John Bennett, USDA-ARS
11:00-11:45 — Breeding Cherries for Pacific Northwest Growers, Dr. Per McCord, WSU
11:45-12:00 — CGFG Policy Updates, Lesley Tamura, CGFG
12:00-12:05 — Outstanding Contributor Award, Mike Doke, CGFG
12:05-12:45 — Lunch
12:45-1:30 — Regulatory Costs and Ag Overtime Study Updates, Dr. Tim Delbridge, OSU
1:30-2:00 — Recent Changes to the Cherry Insurance Policy, Justin Pranger, Graybeal Group
2:00-3:00 — Bulletins Live! Two, Oregon Department of Agriculture
3:00-3:30 — Research Updates from the Tree Fruit Entomology Lab, Dr. Chris Adams, OSU MCAREC
3:30-3:50 — The Phenology of Euscelidius variegatus Reared Under Controlled Conditions, Anders Wohler, OSU MCAREC
3:50-4:35 — Farmworker Health & Wellness, One Community Health

World Ag Expo, Tulare CA
2025-02-11 - 2025-02-13

WineVit (Washington Winegrowers Convention and Trade Show), Kennewick WA
2025-02-10 - 2025-02-12

Okanogan Horticultural Society Meeting, Omak WA
2025-02-06
North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days
January 21–23 in Wenatchee, Feb 6 in Omak
Join us for Washington State University Tree Fruit Extension programs in North Central Washington on Jan. 21, 22 and 23, and on Feb. 6. Co-sponsored by Northwest Cherries, Pear Bureau Northwest, NCW Fieldmen’s Association and the Okanogan Horticultural Association. These events provide the latest research-based information on horticulture, pest and disease management. We hope you will join us to network and learn this winter.
No preregistration required for in-person sessions (thanks to our co-sponsors). Registration required for virtual participation in Apple, Pear and Stone Fruit Days. Virtual participants will have a fee to cover livestreaming audiovisual expenses.
For agendas, additional information and registration, visit: http://treefruit.wsu.edu/events. Pesticide update credits will be awarded for program attendance, 3 to 4 credits per session.
For more information visit treefruit.wsu.edu/events or contact Tianna DuPont tianna.dupont@wsu.edu
(509) 293-8758
Extension programs and employment are available without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local extension office.

G.S. Long Winter Ag Academy, Tri-Cities WA
2025-02-06
February 6th – Winter Ag Academy Tri-Cities – Tri-Cities Convention Center
Workers – Training to the Worker Protection Standard (Spanish)
If you have employees working directly with or even around pesticides, this workshop is an excellent
opportunity for you to provide them with Accredited and Documented Training. All training is Hands
On and directly administered by experienced WSDA trainers. All participants will receive a WSDA
Handler Card upon course completion – no testing required! Six WSDA pesticide recertification
credits will be available for licensed participants!
​
Crew Leaders – Leadership Skills (Spanish)
This session focuses on the role of training and development in managing others and the significance
of communication. Areas of emphasis include: understanding the importance of job descriptions;
common sense practices and self-evaluation; discipline and termination; hostile work environment;
and dealing with unwanted visitors. Attendees will participate with the instructors and each other in
self-evaluation and identifying best management practices for achieving maximum contributions.
​​
Owner/HR – Agricultural Labor Law (English)
This track is full of important need-to-know state and federal labor regulatory updates specific to
agricultural employers. Know your legal requirements and your rights!
(Pre-Registration is required)
For additional information or to register, please contact Maegen Otterstein: maegen@gslong.com or
Salvador Jimenez: salvadorj@gslong.com. You can also call either at 1(800) 338-5664

Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Apple Horticulture/Postharvest Research Review
2025-01-30

Pear Bureau Northwest board of directors meeting, via Zoom
2025-01-30
Pear Bureau Northwest board of directors meeting via Zoom, Jan. 30, 8:30 a.m.

Illinois Food, Farmers Market and Specialty Crop Conference, Springfield IL
2025-01-29 - 2025-01-31

Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission Apple Crop Protection Research Review, Wenatchee, WA
2025-01-29

Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento CA
2025-01-28 - 2025-01-30

Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey PA
2025-01-28 - 2025-01-30

G. S. Long Winter Ag Academy, Wenatchee WA
2025-01-28
January 28th – Winter Ag Academy Wenatchee – Wenatchee Convention Center
Workers – Training to the Worker Protection Standard (Spanish)
If you have employees working directly with or even around pesticides, this workshop is an excellent
opportunity for you to provide them with Accredited and Documented Training. All training is Hands
On and directly administered by experienced WSDA trainers. All participants will receive a WSDA
Handler Card upon course completion – no testing required! Six WSDA pesticide recertification
credits will be available for licensed participants!
​
Crew Leaders – Leadership Skills (Spanish)
This session focuses on the role of training and development in managing others and the significance
of communication. Areas of emphasis include: understanding the importance of job descriptions;
common sense practices and self-evaluation; discipline and termination; hostile work environment;
and dealing with unwanted visitors. Attendees will participate with the instructors and each other in
self-evaluation and identifying best management practices for achieving maximum contributions.
​​
Owner/HR – Agricultural Labor Law (English)
This track is full of important need-to-know state and federal labor regulatory updates specific to
agricultural employers. Know your legal requirements and your rights!
(Pre-Registration is required)
For additional information or to register, please contact Maegen Otterstein: maegen@gslong.com or
Salvador Jimenez: salvadorj@gslong.com. You can also call either at 1(800) 338-5664

Manejo de Frutales, Wenatchee WA
2025-01-23
Manejo de Frutales
23 de enero (January 23)
1:00-3:30 pm
Wenatchee Convention Center 121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee WA
3 WSDA créditos de pesticidas (3 WSDA Pesticide credits)
Evento presencial (in person event)
Parte del evento de 3 días de charlas.
Part of a three day North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days event.
Sin costo, patrocinado. Sin registro obligatorio. En persona.
No cost to attend. No registration necessary. In person only.
Almuerzo sin costo para las primeras 100 personas a las doce.
Sponsored lunch for the first 100 registrants at noon.
Para mas información https://treefruit.wsu.edu/event/manejo-de-frutales-2025/
1:00 PM — Nuevas Tecnologias en Fruticultura (New Technologies in Fruit Production)
Francisco Saramiento, Wenatchee Valley College
1:30 PM — Monitoreo de plagas en Manzanos (Scouting for Apple Pests)
Frank Sarmiento-Torres, Wenatchee Valley College
2:00 PM — Que sucede después de la cosecha y por qué lo que hago en el campo es importante (What Happens After Harvest and Why What I do in the Field Matters)
Alex Capi, Stemilt Growers
2:30 PM — Manejo de Palomilla de Manzana (Codling Moth Management)
Tianna DuPont, WSU Extension
3:00 PM — Protección de abejas (Pollinator Protection)
Flor Servin, WSDA
3:30 PM — Cierre y créditos de pesticidas
Contacto: Tianna DuPont, WSU Extension (509) 713-5346 tianna.dupont@wsu.edu

Apple Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days, Wenatchee WA
2025-01-23

Washington Cherry Marketing Committee representative selection, Wenatchee WA
2025-01-22
WASHINGTON CHERRY MARKETING COMMITTEE
REPRESENTATIVES TO BE SELECTED
Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee will take place during the annual Cherry Institute meeting on January 10, 2025, for District 2 and NCW Stone Fruit Day on January 22, 2025, for District 1. The committee establishes grade, size, and pack regulations for fresh sweet cherries from designated counties in Washington.
District 1 Growers whose terms expire in 2025 are Dennis Berdan (John Griggs Jr., Alternate), and Andy Gale (Todd Skylstad, Alternate). Handlers whose terms expire in 2025 are Adam Brunner (Brett Reasor, Alternate) and Tate Mathison (Michael Taylor, Alternate).
District 2 Growers whose terms expire in 2025 are Kyle Crowston (Donnie Olmstead, Alternate), Ed Skelton (Gary Ormiston, Alternate) and Allan Schmidt (Camille Smith, Alternate). Handlers whose terms will expire in 2025 are Vacant (Cindy Alarcon, Alternate). All positions expire as of March 31, 2025.
This meeting is open to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. Persons who require reasonable accommodations or alternative means of communication (such as Braille, large print, sign language) or language interpretation or translation, or special meals, should contact the WSFC at (509) 453-4837 at least three (3) business days before the meeting.

Stone Fruit Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days, Wenatchee WA
2025-01-22

G.S. Long Winter AG Academy, Yakima WA
2025-01-22
January 22nd – Winter AG Academy Yakima – Yakima Convention Center
Workers – Training to the Worker Protection Standard (Spanish)
If you have employees working directly with or even around pesticides, this workshop is an excellent
opportunity for you to provide them with Accredited and Documented Training. All training is Hands
On and directly administered by experienced WSDA trainers. All participants will receive a WSDA
Handler Card upon course completion – no testing required! Six WSDA pesticide recertification
credits will be available for licensed participants!
​​
Crew Leaders – Leadership Skills (Spanish)
This session focuses on the role of training and development in managing others and the significance
of communication. Areas of emphasis include: understanding the importance of job descriptions;
common sense practices and self-evaluation; discipline and termination; hostile work environment;
and dealing with unwanted visitors. Attendees will participate with the instructors and each other in
self-evaluation and identifying best management practices for achieving maximum contributions.
​​
Owner/HR – Agricultural Labor Law (English)
This track is full of important need-to-know state and federal labor regulatory updates specific to
agricultural employers. Know your legal requirements and your rights!
(Pre-Registration is required)
For additional information or to register, please contact Maegen Otterstein: maegen@gslong.com or
Salvador Jimenez: salvadorj@gslong.com. You can also call either at 1(800) 338-5664

Fresh Pear Committee elections: Wenatchee District
2025-01-21 11:20 - 12:00
Elections for a Wenatchee District grower member and two alternates to the Fresh Pear Committee of Marketing Order #927 are scheduled to be held at 11:20 a.m. on January 21, 2025. The election will be a hybrid in-person event with a Zoom component and will be hosted and moderated by Shawn Cox and held at the North Central Washington Pear Day located in the Wenatchee Convention Center, 121 N. Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801.
Only fresh pear growers from the Wenatchee District (includes the counties of King, Chelan, Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln and Spokane in the state of Washington and all other counties in Washington lying north thereof) are eligible to nominate and vote in this election. The positions to be filled include: Member position held by Kevin Carney, the first alternate position held by Rod Grams and the second alternate position held by Allan Warman.
The current slate is eligible for re-election having only served one out of three possible consecutive terms expiring on June 30, 2025. Other growers are eligible as well. Names of those elected will be submitted to the United States Secretary of Agriculture for official appointment to the committee and will serve for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2025.
Among other duties, the Fresh Pear Committee is responsible for setting the assessment rates for research and promotion and advertising of all pears grown in Washington and Oregon marketed in the domestic and export markets.
The committee encourages women, minorities and the physically challenged, who qualify as pear growers/handlers, to attend and participate in the nomination proceedings.

Pear Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days, Wenatchee WA
2025-01-21
