Pear handlers will elect nominees for the Yakima, Washington, handler position on the Fresh Pear Committee of Marketing Order 927.

The position will be filled at the Fresh Pear Election Meeting at 2 p.m. on April 27 at the Washington State Fruit Commission (105 S. 18th Street, Yakima, WA 98901).

The position is  held by Rob Stewart, with Ron Ball and John Borton serving as first and second alternates, respectively.

The committee is responsible for the collection of assessments for research and the promotion and advertising of all pears marketed in the domestic and export markets.

All pear handler employees are eligible to attend and participate in the respective nominations. The committee encourages women, minorities, and the physically challenged, who qualify as pear growers/handlers, to attend and participate in the nomination proceedings.

Names of those elected will be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture for official appointment to the committee, and will serve for a two-year period.