Good Fruit Grower

December 2012

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wine science center site W WSU dedicates ashington State University, with more than $17 million raised toward a new wine science center, spent a day in October to thank donors, supporters, and dedicate the site where a state-of-the-art wine research laboratory and teaching winery will be built. Construction of the Wine Science Cen- ter is scheduled to begin next fall. The cen- ter will be built on land donated by the Port of Benton. The City of Richland, through an economic development authority, will oversee construction and financing; upon completion, the authority will turn it over to WSU. Funds for the new center come from a mix of industry and private donors, state, and federal grants. The Washington Wine Commission pledged $7.4 million earlier in the year, money that will be raised from grower and winery assessments. From the Washing- ton State budget comes $5 million in capital funds, and the U.S. Department of Com- merce recently announced $2.06 million for equipment and furnishings. The Port of Benton's in-kind land donation is valued at $350,000. Terence Thornhill, a Pasco architec- tural company, has donated $150,000 in design services, and Spokane Industries pledged $600,000 worth of stainless steel tanks. The WSU Wine Campaign Committee, comprised of industry members, is working to raise another $4 million, which would allow construction to be completed in one phase instead of two. Groundbreaking for the center is scheduled for fall 2013. Construction is expected to take 12 months, which could make the winery's first crush during the 2014 harvest. Fumigation license changes I n response to new soil fumigant label requirements, the Washington State Department of Agriculture has developed a new soil fumigation examination. New risk mitigation measures have been implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to replace the existing WSDA exam used since 2002. The new category and exam, called Soil Fumigation RMM, has been available since November 1, 2012. Soil fumigant labels have gone through two rounds of EPA revisions in recent years. In 2010, Phase 1 label changes required applicator licensing, more stringent direct supervi- sion requirements, fumigant management plans, and safety training for handlers. Phase 2 changes, expected on labels by December 2012, require that applicators use application buffers and successfully complete EPA-approved active-ingredient-specific training every three years through online modules followed by a competency exam. Private applicators may take the new WSDA soil fumigation exam in lieu of the required EPA training, according to WSDA's soil fumigation licensing fact sheet. A new soil fumigation study manual entitled Soil Fumigation Manual: A National Pesticide Applicator Certification Study Manual EM055 is available at Washington State University Publications at pubs.wsu.edu. Scheduled exam times and days can be found online at WSDA's Web site at: http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/Licensing.aspx#TakingExams. Be counted T he U.S. Department of Agriculture will mail 2012 Census of Agriculture forms to farmers and ranchers at the end of December to collect comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county. Forms can be mailed or completed online, and are due by February 4, 2013. The Ag Census is conducted every five years and provides a detailed snapshot of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Information collected includes data on land use, ownership, production practices, income and expenditures, and more. The information is used to shape farm policies and programs, target service to rural residents, and ensure adequate availability of operational loans and other funding. Participation is not only important, but required by law, regardless of the size or type of operation. For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov . Student scholarships T he Washington Apple Education Foundation's universal scholarship application is available at www.thewashboard.org, a Web site that provides information about many scholarships available to Washington students. The site was launched two years ago by the Washington Scholarship Coalition, a public/private partnership that aims to increase access to scholarships and financial aid for Washington State students. WAEF scholarships are sponsored by tree fruit industry firms and families. More than 150 scholarships will be awarded next spring to high school graduates and college stu- dents. Scholarship applications for the 2013-2014 school year must be received by March 1, 2013. For more information about the foundation's activities, go to www.waef.org or call (509) 663-7713. www.goodfruit.com GEORGE, WA 509-785-2595 509-544-6678 PASCO, WA 509-248-8411 WALLA WALLA 509-525-4550 $34,800 Blueline OP23 Platform 2 FEATURES TWO GREAT PLATFORM MODELS Blueline OP33 Platform $23,800 Call Your Nearest Dealer Today! UNION GAP, WA SUNNYSIDE, WA 509-839-2066 CALIFORNIA 509-952-9488 GOOD FRUIT GROWER DECEMBER 2012 69 photo by melissa hansen PRESEASON SPECIALS

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