Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/481870
54 APRIL 1, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com LAST BITE More Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg Sean Tudor grower / Grandview, Washington age / 28 crops / Apples, cherries, wine and juice grapes business / Owner Rustic Vineyards, 2dor Wines other experience / Walla Walla Community College, viticulture degree PLAY goodfruit.com/yg scan to watch the interview " " " How did you start in farming? When I was young and my grandfather passed away, it put a lot of pressure on my dad and uncle to support the family of eight kids and my grandmother. I always felt I was going to do it, and Dad loved taking me out, working the farm. A while back I found a note I wrote in kindergarten that said, "I love irrigating with my Dad." It's a blessing to be part of a four-generation family farm. Which projects are you working on? I recently purchased my own land, 100 acres of wine grapes that was the part of the former historic Otis Vineyards. When I started out, I thought there was no way I would be able to start a winery, yet all it took was a quick conversation with my winemaker to get going on it. I'm really in charge of everything in the vineyard, from the ground up. He just said, "I want to make your wine. Bring me the grapes, and I'll make it, and you can start your own label. Then we will go from there." So now, here we are with a wine label that's been approved and it's been fun. What is your family's succession plan? We just went through the Northwest Farm Credit succes- sion meeting, and I would highly recommend it. We learned so much. I'm 28 and my Dad is 60. That meeting taught me that even I need to look ahead for my kids—and I haven't even had any yet—but I'm going to start a succession plan when I'm 40. One of the main things I've learned from this is the business is your main asset. That's what you are protecting, so you've got to make the right moves leading up to the transition. by TJ Mullinax More from this interview and other Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg. " What I've loved about farming is that there isn't one right or wrong way to do things.