Good Fruit Grower

November 2012

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It's all around us — from the best varieties to the highest quality rootstocks. With almost 40 years of experience, at ProTree Nurseries we grow some of the heartiest trees you can buy. As one of the leading suppliers of apple and cherry trees to orchard growers, our customers have come to depend on our quality. You can too. For a price quote or to inquire about specific varieties, call ProTree Nurseries today. (USPP 16,624 P2) (USPP 7997) ™ (USPP 19,007 McLaughlin cv) ® Buckeye® (USPP 10,016) (USPP 10,840) ® ® (USPP 16,620) (USPP 21,300) ™ ® ™ ™ ® ™ ® ® ™ ™ ™ ™ Available on Colt, Gisela®, Krymsk®, Mahaleb, or Mazzard.* *Not all varieties are available on all rootstocks. Call for specific grafting information. (USPP 7526) ™ (USPP 7197) ® ® (USPP 10,115) ® (USPP 11,992) (USPP 12,900) ™ (serial 74/458,730) ® (USPP 9681) ™ (USPP 20,590) ® ™ ™ (USPP 11,193) ™ (USPP applied for) (USPP applied for) Ultima (USPP 13,753 P2) Zestar!™ (USPP 11,367) These apple varieties are available on B-10, B-118, EMLA-7, EMLA-26, EMLA-106, EMLA-111, G-11, G-16, G-30, M-9 337T, NIC®-29, or Supporter 4. Grape growers to visit Capitol Hill Brenton Roy hopes for a strong delegation from the state of Washington. by Melissa Hansen ashington State diversi- fied farmer Brenton Roy wants to see more of the state's wine grape industry attend a national grape pol- icy conference held annually in Wash- ington, D.C. He believes so strongly in the value of the conference that he hasn't missed attending any the last five years. Roy, of Oasis Farms in Prosser, is presi- dent of the Winegrape Growers of Amer- ica, a national organization representing the U.S. wine grape growing industry. A fourth-generation farmer, he oversees production of the family's tree fruit, grapes, and hops. "The value of attending the annual conference is more than just a legislative return on investment," he said to Good Fruit Grower. "I've also had tangible results in meeting grape growers from other states that I would never have known without attending. These contacts have helped me network with other grow- ers—I've called California growers in sev- eral instances to ask them about different things." On the policy side, Roy said the annual D.C. event, with an average attendance of 30 to 50 wine grape industry members from around the country, helps build rela- tionships between congressional staff and industry. Moreover, it gives legislators and staff a chance to meet with "real" growers and learn about their issues. Public policy The theme of the upcoming confer- ence to be held March 17-20 at the Holi- day Inn Capitol is "Public Policy impacting your bottom line: research, labor, clean plants, and the Farm Bill." Speakers will include regulatory and elected officials, political consultants, and industry experts. Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the Washington Association of Wine grape Growers, is spearheading the con- ference. Traditionally, the California Association of Winegrape Growers has organized the event, according to Roy. Although day-to-day manage- 741 Sunset Road, Brentwood, CA 94513 800.634.1671 (Alison Clegg or Richard Chavez) 877.457.6901 (Henry Sanguinetti) Fax 925.634.6040 www.protreenursery.com 6 NOVEMBER 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER ment of Winegrape Growers of America is by the California Association of Winegrape Growers, lobbyists that rep- resent the national grape growers group are based in the nation's capital. Roy, a past president of the Washington grape growers group Brenton Roy "Before, there was a lack of grower interest in attending. But I think that's changing," he said, pointing to three big issues directly impacting grape growers that will highlight the conference— immigration reform, research, and the Farm Bill. Growers who are members of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers are considered members of the national group. State grape grower organizations comprise the membership of the national group, which was formed in 1978. Officers for 2012 are: Brenton Roy, Washington, president; Don Tones, New York, vice president; and Kim Ledbetter- Bronson, California, secretary/treasurer. John Aguirre of Sacramento, California, is executive director. For more information, e-mail the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers at: info@wawgg.org or call toll free (877) 889-2944. • and newly appointed grower member of the Washington Wine Commission, said this is the first time the national confer- ence has been actively promoted to Washington grape growers.

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