Good Fruit Grower

December 2013

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California, and I've seen no better orchards than what Jeff is managing." Hayden added, "He uses the latest techniques, is a student of horticulture, and very practical in an economic sense. Many of our conversations have gone like this: 'Denny, what you're doing is a great technique, but is it cost effective? Why are you really doing that? What is the end game? It's made me think, yeah, why am I doing this?" When Surround (kaolin clay film) first came out, Hayden said that Colombini was eager to use it in his apple orchards, but was having problems with application. "Jeff and his partner [Ray Avansino] designed their own sprayer to make application more effective. Jeff doesn't sit back and wait for things to happen." One of the equipment projects slated for design this winter at Lodi Farming is a device that would be able to clean reflective orchard covers, such as Extenday, while the material is being rolled up in the orchard for winter storage. Colombini has had a problem of mud from their sticky, clay soils getting on the reflective covers and turning them a dingy gray, reducing the reflective properties. Cherry research Colombini has attended countless Cherry Research Review meetings of the Tree Fruit Research Commission held in Washington and Oregon, said Jim McFerson, manager of the Research Commission. California cherry industry delegates regularly attend the annual research review to facilitate coordination and collaboration on research projects between the Northwest and California cherry industries. An example of a shared project between the two industries has been ongoing research conducted by university and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists to identify health benefits of fresh cherries. Colombini has been a California representative serving on the jointindustry health research committee. Researchers from the two regions also are working closely together to develop control strategies for a new invasive pest, spotted wing drosophila. In the past, Colombini said the California cherry industry was somewhat stymied in its funding of cherry research because its marketing commission, the California Cherry Advisory Board, represented only four varieties grown in the state and was greatly underfunded. About a year ago, California cherry growers approved a new commission called the California Cherry Board, discontinuing the old one. Colombini, a past chair of the Advisory Board, serves on the board of directors for the new group and chairs its finance committee. He's hopeful the new organization will continue its research collaboration with the Northwest and be able to provide more research funding. "The two primary purposes of the new board are research and export issues," he said, adding that board will avoid generic promotion of cherries. The 2013 research budget of the new board was about $300,000, more than double previous amounts spent on research. He's also been involved with the California Cherry Growers and Industries Foundation, a voluntary group that can be politically active. The foundation provided seed money to establish the new cherry board. Moreover, Colombini has been involved with apple industry issues, both state and national. He is a board member of the California Apple Commission and the U.S. Apple Association. "Jeff has a can-do, positive attitude," said the Research Commission's McFerson, who's based in Wenatchee, Washington. "His collaborative nature has helped bring the Northwest and California industries together on many projects, and he works to create greater harmony for our industry." • www.goodfruit.com "We grew up with Zaiger Genetics and Dave Wilson Nursery. We first experienced the flavor of the Pluot® and passed on that experience to our community. We often hear customers at our local farm stand say things such as, "you have to experience it, or you can't explain the flavor of a pluot". I call this our return on experience. Generations of support has led us to where we are and what we are about today. We are farmers, we create the experience, we support it, but most of all we are a part of it. Dave Wilson Nursery has been with us every step of the way to stay fully vested in our community and helping to create the experience". Craig Wallis and Bill Loretelli Loretelli Farms, Modesto, CA 75 Years & Growing 1938 - 2013 Dave Wilson Nursery 19701 Lake Road Hickman, CA 95323 (209) 874-1821 Fax 874-1920 Toll Free 800-654-5854 www.davewilson.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER DECEMBER 2013 53

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