Innovation Center underway at Miller site in Pennsylvania
The Huber AgroSolutions team recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art Innovation Center at the Miller site in Hanover, Pennsylvania, according to a news release. Huber AgroSolutions is a strategic business unit of Huber Engineered Materials, a global manufacturer of specialty ingredients and additives that are designed to enhance the performance, appeal and processing of a broad range of products used in industrial, agricultural and consumer applications. Huber acquired Miller in 2019.
“This investment is a strong vote of confidence for the business and our long-term innovation strategy from the Huber management council and board of directors,” said Victor Dean, senior vice president and general manager of Huber AgroSolutions, during the event. “Thank you to all those who have been involved up to this point and those who will continue to support the initiative going forward, including our partners at Kinsley Construction, Inc.”
The Innovation Center — encompassing 5,600 square feet of buildings and 1,150 square feet of greenhouses — is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2024.
For more information, visit: millerchemical.com or huber.com.
Aurea Imaging launches tractor-mounted sensor
Aurea Imaging recently announced the launch of TMS TreeScout, a fully integrated, tractor-mounted sensor for precision orchard management, according to a news release. Powered by artificial intelligence and 3D computer vision, TMS (tractor mounted sensor) TreeScout helps farmers with tasks including tree scanning, blossom mapping and vigor scoring of trees. It enables them to increase fruit tree yields, boost revenues, lower input costs, reduce labor expenses and safeguard the environment.
“We are on a mission to unlock the potential of every fruit tree,” said Bert Rijk, CEO and founder of Aurea Imaging. “The TMS TreeScout reinvents orchard management and ensures farmers finally have a precision orchard solution that gives them full control of their orchards to maximize profits. Fruit growers who use TMS TreeScout will ultimately work more efficiently, reduce costs and time, and increase yield and productivity.”
For more information, visit: aureaimaging.com.
Sym-Agro names new PNW sales manager
Sym-Agro recently announced that Mark Gibbs has joined the company as PNW sales manager for Western Oregon and Washington, according to a news release. Gibbs will focus on wine grapes, berries, tree fruit and hazelnuts, in addition to other West Coast markets.
Gibbs has extensive experience with over 37 years as an agronomist with Oregon Vineyard Supply. He has a bachelor’s degree in horticulture/IPM from Michigan State University and has served on various agricultural committees through the years.
“Mark’s background in Michigan farming and 43-plus years in PNW horticulture crops make him an ideal choice to represent Sym-Agro in PNW markets,” said Peter Bierma, president and general manager of Sym-Agro. “Mark fills a much-needed role in our organization, complementing a consultive sales approach with deep agronomic experience. We are excited to welcome a person of his experience to Sym-Agro.”
Sym-Agro is a privately held company focused on developing and marketing effective pest control solutions for crops including tree fruit, vine crop, berries and vegetables.
For more information, visit: sym-agro.com.
Washington State Fruit Commission board positions up for nomination
The following commissioner positions to the 16-member Washington State Fruit Commission Board of Directors will be up for nomination during the Cherry Institute meeting slated for Jan. 12, 2024, and the NCW Stone Fruit Day meeting slated for Jan. 17, 2024.
Cherry Institue
—Producer Position #5, District #2 (position currently held by John Harris).
—Producer Position #6, District #2 (position currently held by Mark Zirkle).
—Dealer Position #14, District #2 (position currently held by Peter Verbrugge).
NCW Stone Fruit Day
—Producer Position #2, District #1 (position currently held by Tate Mathison).
—Dealer Position #11, District #1 (position currently held by Mike Wade).
The above Commissioner position nominations to the WSFC Board are each three-year terms beginning May 1, 2024, and expiring April 30, 2027.
Written nominations, signed by five persons qualified to vote for the said nominees, may be made up to five days immediately following said nomination meeting and shall be filed with said Commission at: 105 South 18th Street #205, Yakima, WA 98901, or emailed to: legal@wastatefruit.com.
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 business days before the meeting.
If you have any questions concerning the WSFC nominations, please contact B.J. Thurlby or Tammy Marquis (tammy@wastatefruit.com) at 509-453-4837.
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 Jan. 12, 2024, for District 2 and NCW Stone Fruit Day on Jan. 17, 2024, 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 2024 are Dave Eichelberger (Jason Compton, Alternate), Kevin Files (Norm Gutzwiler, Alternate), and Joe Wiggs (Kevin Stennes, Alternate). Handlers whose terms expire in 2024 are Javier Sanchez (Jorge Sanchez, Alternate).
District 2 Growers whose terms expire in 2024 are Julie Bosma (Shane Stonemetz, Alternate) and Greg Knight (Steve Knight, Alternate). Handlers whose terms will expire in 2024 are Steve Smith (Doug Gibson, Alternate) and Jeff Baldwin (John Harris, Alternate). All positions expire as of March 31, 2024.
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 Washington State Fruit Commission at 509-453-4837 at least three business days before the meeting.
Processed Pear Committee board nominations
Nominations for positions on the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear Committee will take place during an industry public meeting in 2023/2024 as follows:
Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting at 1:15 p.m. Dec. 4, 2023, Three Rivers Convention Center, Tri-Cities, Wash.:
—Washington Grower positions currently held by Member Greg Harnden and First Alternate Andrew Sundquist.
—Washington Handler positions currently held by Member Rod Matson and First Alternate Peter Verbrugge.
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers Association annual grower/handler meeting, December 2023:
—Oregon Grower positions currently held by Member Kevin Zielinski and First Alternate Stephen Hunt.
Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service annual meeting, March 2024:
—WA/OR Processor positions currently held by Member Ryan Herrington and First Alternate Steve Carlson.
—WA/OR Processor positions currently held by Member Richard Baldoz and First Alternate Andy Russick.
Positions to the Processed Pear Committee are each 2-year terms beginning July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026.
The Processed Pear Committee was established to administer federal marketing order provisions relating to the handling of pears for processing.
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 PPC at 509-453-4837 at least three business days before the meeting.
Leave A Comment