Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/283151
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER APRIL 1, 2014 17 growers voted to pass two additional special project assessments that over eight years would establish a $32 million tree fruit endowment at Washington State University. At state land-grant universities across the nation, the partnering of industry with the university is not uncommon. However, the endowment through the WSU Tree Fruit Campaign is historic in its magnitude and in the fact that the funds are being invested so that a perpetual funding resource will exist to support cutting-edge research, infor- mation and technology transfer, and university tree fruit research farms. This will help to ensure that the industry can remain competitive and sustainable over the long term. Strategic plan Another critical element to help ensure the success of the Washington grower investment is the creation of an industry Endowment Advisory Com- mittee. This committee, comprising seven industry appointees, is working closely with the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences to ensure that the industry's investment achieves its maxi- mum potential and is leveraged to secure additional resources. Further, committee members are helping to develop agree- ments on how funds can be used, will participate in annual program reviews, and will sit on selection committees for potential new hires. In my new role as the fi rst hired Endowed Chair-Tree Fruit Extension Program Leader, I am working closely with the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences adminis- tration, the Endownment Advisory Com- mittee, other industry leaders, and WSU tree fruit research and extension faculty to develop a strategic plan for the exten- sion-related "Information and Technol- ogy Transfer" aspect of the endowment. Our current mission statement is: "To create and sustain a world-class, interdisciplinary outreach program that accelerates and maximizes the benefi cial outcomes of scientifi c research on Wash- ington tree fruit industry productivity, profi tability, and sustainability." Our current vision statement reads: "We will identify and disseminate knowledge that provides solutions for economically rele- vant industry problems by linking scien- tists with practitioners, synthesizing and synergizing their knowledge to identify opportunities, and providing targeted resources to overcome technological barriers and address key issues." Besides ongoing work on the strategic plan, I am directly involved in several initiatives. First, I am working closely with the CAHNRS communications team and have developed a content team to build a new one-stop-shop tree fruit website. The ultimate goal is to create the world's best tree fruit site that will be dynamic, searchable, and fully utilize modern technology and social media. Second, I am working with faculty and industry leaders to help the Pacifi c Northwest pear industry prioritize future industry-funded research efforts. Third, we have convened a group of research, extension, and industry leaders to develop an educational workshop and subsequent roadmap to inform future research and extension efforts related to soil health and orchard replant problems. Fourth, we are convening a task force regarding the future development of new decision support tools (like those found on Tree Fruit Decision Aid System or the AgWeatherNet), using push technology and creating a common portal where users can go to one place. I have also been recruiting graduate students and writing competitive grant proposals for applied research projects. The future is bright for tree fruit outreach and information technology transfer in Washington. With the several excellent faculty already serving and new hires in the future, we will be poised to have perhaps the best university tree fruit team in the world. I believe that if Frank Lever could be here to have a conversation with us and see both the ongoing impact of his legis- lation and the partnership with industry, he would be well pleased. • For more information, go to http:// ext100.wsu.edu/anniversary/ Dr. Desmond R. Layne is Endowed Chair, Tree Fruit Extension Program Leader, and professor of pomology at Washington State University, Wenatchee. Othello Research Unit WSU Lind Dryland Research Station WSU Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Unit WSU Pullman Agriculture Research Center The Kershaw family, owners of Domex Superfresh Growers ® , have a strong connection to the land spanning five generations. Our values, trustworthiness and fiscal responsibility paired with marketing strategy, sales experience and distribution capabilities drive success for our grower partners. Call us today to learn more about growing with Superfresh Growers ® . We know what's trending NOW. 151 Low Rd., Yakima, WA. 98908 | superfreshgrowers.com Our difference makes all the difference™