Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/245704
Widow goes it alone, yet not alone Pear industry members step in to help Nancy Vaughn produce a quality crop. by Melissa Hansen d and Nancy Vaughn did all the right things when they became new pear growers in the 1990s, researching what crop and cultivar to plant, networking with extension and other growers, and developing a market for their fruit. But there was one thing they didn't plan for. In 1993, the Vaughns moved to Medford, Oregon, to begin their "unretirement plan," as Nancy describes it. Her grandfather had a farm in Medford that had been in the family since 1902. She and her husband decided it was time to do something with the 150 acres she inherited. Timing was right for a major lifestyle change—they had raised a family in Bend, Oregon, and Ed was retired from —Nancy Vaughn a career in forestry. So the couple began a new career in the tree fruit industry. "We did a lot of research on crops planted in the Medford area and decided that pears were the thing to grow," said Nancy. "We networked with Oregon State University researchers and other growers by attending local meetings, and we joined the Southern PHOTO BY TJ MULLINAX E "Everything this past season was easy, but it didn't feel easy." NEW P st LE AootPock! r Future contracts for cherries, pears, & apples; ALL ROOTSTOCKS. From the breeders of Bud 9: ® B10 cv. Mich 96 USPP 21,223 • Dwarfing • Vigor between M-9 T337 and M-9 Pajam®2 • Cold hardy • Disease resistant • Yield efficiency similar to M-9 T337 • Fireblight tolerant Service s are INC. FREE TO GR OWERS ! Representing Over 30 Leading Nurseries in the U.S. and Europe Call us FIRST for the largest selection of trees and rootstocks available www.goodfruit.com 1-800-421-4001 Phone: 503-538-2131 Fax: 503-538-7616 E-mail: info@treeconnect.com Web: www.treeconnect.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 1, 2014 43