www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER SEPTEMBER 2014 21
PHOTOS
BY
GERALDINE
WARNER
"When the
consumer comes
up to you and
realizes you're
a farmer, they
put you on a
pedestal."
—Gordy Sato
STARR grower
W
hen Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers wanted to feature
a grower in its promotional materials, Gordy Sato was
the obvious choice.
Sato, a pear grower at
Parkdale, Oregon, is a mem-
ber of the Diamond Fruit
Growers cooperative, whose
pears Oneonta sells.
"With his background
and career, he understands
marketing, understands
what it is to be a good
grower, and understands
what needs to be done to
bring quality fruit to the
marketplace," said Scott
Marboe, Oneonta's mar-
keting director. "He's very
personable, very smart, and he's got that infectious smile.
Whenever you're around him, you can't help but feel happy."
David Garcia, president of Diamond Fruit, based in Hood
River, Oregon, said Sato is often among the cooperative's top
growers with his d'Anjou, red d'Anjou and Bartlett pears. "The
quality of the fruit he brings in is consistently among the top."
To see Sato in an Oneonta video, go to www.oneonta.com/
pear-video/. —G. Warner
