A large-scale survey of the Pacific Northwest pear industry began in January to gather information on what the industry might look like in the next 25 years. The pear industry’s research subcommittee is polling pear growers, packers, marketers, and researchers in order to compile a vision of the pear industry in the year 2030. Pear grower Ray Schmitten, chair of the Northwest Fresh and Processed Pear Research Subcommittee, said responses to the survey will help guide research priorities and political strategies in the future. Between $650,000 and $750,000 is collected annually for research from growers in Washington and Oregon, and […]