Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/52389
QUICK BITES Read more Quick Bites at www.goodfruit.com. WSU scientist Xiao joins USDA D r. Chang-Lin Xiao, Washington State University Extension plant pathologist, who spent the last 11 years working on postharvest disease issues of Pacific Northwest fruit crops at WSU's Tree Fruit Research Center in Wenatchee, has changed laboratories to now work on fruit disease issues in California. Xiao came to WSU in Chang-Lin Xiao 2000 after working as a post doctorate researcher at the University of Florida. Before that, he spent four years at the University of California, Davis, as a visiting postdoctoral scholar from Beijing Agricultural University. While at WSU, he worked closely with packing house operators to develop pre- and postharvest management practices to minimize storage rots and diseases of tree fruit. Xiao helped discover Sphaeropsis rot, a newly reported disease of apples and pears. During his North- west postharvest work, he also found Phacidiopycnis rot on pears, a disease that had previously been reported only in Europe and India and only recently in North America. As research leader/supervisory research plant pathol- ogist at U.S. Department of Agriculture's San Joaquin Val- ley Agricultural Sciences Center in Parlier, Xiao will work to develop new ways to control postharvest insects and diseases and ensure postharvest quality of horticultural crops important in the export market. He will continue to collaborate with Northwest researchers and industry officials on issues like spotted wing drosophila. Xiao's new position began January 3. Naches Heights appellation approved ber, bringing the total number of appellations in the state to 12. The new AVA, approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, is effective January 13. Naches Heights AVA, a plateau landform west of A Yakima, encompasses 13,254 acres, with elevations rang- ing from 1,200 to 2,100 feet above sea level, higher than many other wine grape-growing areas in the state. Cur- rently, less than 40 acres of wine grapes are planted, though much of the area is planted to apples and cher- ries. R. Paul Beveridge, owner of Wilridge Winery and Vineyard, submitted the Naches Heights petition to the federal government. He worked closely with Phil Cline of Naches Heights Vineyard and was assisted by two students from Yakima Valley Community College. new American Viticultural Area—Naches Heights— was approved for Washington State in mid-Decem- PAYBACK TIME A LITTLE FOR This just might be the best example of "what goes around comes around" you'll ever see. Northwest Farm Credit Services is a cooperative, which means you have a voice within the organization and we pay cash back to you. No bank does this. When we do well, we share profits with you, not third party investors. And this year Northwest FCS customer-owners will receive their largest checks ever. Getting a little payback never felt so good. farm-credit.com | 800.827.6505 www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JANUARY 15, 2012 5