Good Fruit Grower

March 1

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/263110

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 11 of 47

O ne of the challenges tree fruit entomologists will face in the future, along with new inva- sive pests, will be to find adequate funding for research. That's the concern of Dr. Jay Brunner, who plans to retire, at least partially, from Washington State University by the end of this year. "I think it's going to be more challenging because of the competition for limited resources for research," he said. Brunner, 66, joined WSU as an entomologist at the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in 1978. Since 1998, he's also directed the center, devoting about half his time to administrative duties. Over the years, he's seen shifts in sources of research funding as state support has declined. More costs have to be covered by grants, and that can change how research is done. "If everything is grant driven, you have to generate proposals—especially at the federal level—based on what their criteria and priorities are," he said. "It can drive research in a certain area that may not be of highest priority to the industry." However, a number of WSU scientists have received funding through the federal Specialty Crop Research Ini- tiative for projects to address critical needs of specialty crop producers. The initiative, authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, gave priority to projects that were multistate, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary and that would communicate the results to producers. "Even though it was very competitive at the national level, WSU scientists, in collaborating with people at other land-grant institutions and universities, were very effective in acquiring resources," Brunner said. "It's allowed the tree fruit industry to leverage their funds with federal funds to get more bang for their buck." WSU scientists also receive support from the Wash- ington Tree Fruit Research Commission, which collects more than $4 million annually for research through grower assessments. 12 MARCH 1, 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Pest Management THRIPS · LEAFHOPPER · PSYLLID · MEALYBUGS · WHITEFLIES · and MORE UNLEASH THE STING OF SCORPION 35 SL EASY TO MIX FORMULATION PROVIDES FAST PLANT UPTAKE & EXCELLENT TRANSLAMINAR MOVEMENT FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE CONTROL APPLY BY DRIP · FOLIAR · SOIL 1.800.883.1844 · www.gowanco.com Scorpion® is a trademark of Gowan Company, LLC. EPA Reg No 10163-317. Always read and follow label directions. A humble leader Throughout his career, WSU entomologist Jay Brunner has turned science into economic reality for Washington State tree fruit growers. by Geraldine Warner Jay Brunner helped lead WSU's tree fruit campaign, which raised money to further develop research orchards in Wenatchee and Prosser as well as for new research and extension positions.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Good Fruit Grower - March 1