The meeting date for nominations for grower and handler positions for the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear committee has been changed. Nominations will be accepted Dec. 5 during the Washington State Tree Fruit Association annual meeting in Wenatchee, Washington, rather than the North Central Washington Pear Day on Jan. 18.

The expiring grower position is held by Ron Ball (first alternate position is vacant, second alternate is Bob Ball). The handler position is held by Dan Kenoyer (both alternate positions are vacant).

The remaining nomination meeting dates remain the same:

• Nominations to fill the expiring processor position will be held at the Washington-Oregon Canning Pear Association annual meeting on a February date to be determined. The position is held by Jon Holt (Dusty Edler is first alternate; second alternate position is vacant).

• The Oregon handler position will be nominated at the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers Association annual meeting in Hood River, Oregon, on a February date to be determined. The position is held by Rob Peterson (first alternate is Gary Wells, second alternate is Jason Moore).

• The public member position will be nominated at the Processed Pear Committee annual meeting, which has yet to be scheduled. The position is vacant (first alternate is Steve Castagnoli, second alternate is Ken Severn).

The two-year terms begin July 1, 2017, and expire on June 30, 2019.

The Processed Pear Committee is administered by the Washington State Fruit Commission. The committee manages federal marketing order provisions relating to the handling of pears for processing. For more information, call (509) 453-4837.