Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/764547
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JANUARY 1, 2017 7 WSTFA awards industry leaders at annual meeting T he Washington State Tree Fruit Association bestowed several awards for service to the industry at its annual meeting in December. Jay Brunner received the Distinguished Service Award after more than 30 years at Washington State University as an entomologist and, later, director of the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, where he played a key role in the transition to softer pest management programs in tree fruits over the past three decades. Brunner has said the approach he brought to his research position at WSU was based on his philosophy of humankind's responsibility as a steward of natural resources and accountability to society. He retired as director in 2015. The Silver Apple Award went to Mike Robinson, a grower in Royal Slope, Washington, who also serves as general manager of Double Diamond Fruit, a growing and packing operation in Quincy, Washington. A skilled horticulturist, Robinson has worked at several of the Pacific Northwest's lead- ing fruit companies over the years, including Auvil Fruit Co. and Stemilt Growers, and has long been viewed as an asset to the research and extension community, as well as other growers, for his par- ticipation in research trials, field days and confer- ence presentations and his willingness to share his knowledge and experiences. A leading researcher on cherries and pears in the Pacific Northwest received the Silver Pear Award: Todd Einhorn. Einhorn's research at Oregon State University's Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center focused on production efficiency in orchard systems, pear and cherry fruit quality attributes, pear conditioning and ripening, and rootstocks and cultivars. He moved to Michigan last fall, where he will continue his work in Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture. The Latino Leadership Award went to Francisco Sarmiento, a faculty member at Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, Washington. Sarmiento is the lead faculty member in the Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program, which includes a viticulture track, offered at WVC and Yakima Valley College. He has been a longtime supporter of education and champion for students becoming leaders in the fruit industry; an estimated 1,000 industry employees have completed the program since he joined WVC 19 years ago. Jay Brunner Mike Robinson Todd Einhorn Francisco Sarmiento PO Box 116 Wenatchee, WA 98807.0116 509.662.7164 FAX 509.662.4519 800.232.2636 tree@c-onursery.com www.c-onursery.com Limited to Washington State Growers at this time. Imagine a cross between an 'Enterprise' and 'Honeycrisp'. Then imagine a large, juicy apple with remarkably firm and crisp texture and taste. Now… imagine how consumers will react. If this sounds appealing, you don't have to imagine, this new apple is reality. Cosmic Crisp™ is truly deserving of all the interest it is getting– and we mean lots of interest! Before all of the roots are taken, time is critical for placing your order right now for 2019 delivery. You don't want to be left watching others capitalize on an apple with flavor and characteristics which are out of this world. Make sure the Cosmic Crisp™ is your new apple under the sun. Call today. THERE'S SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. Cosmic Crisp™ (WA 38 Cultivar) USPP 24210