Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/418083
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER DECEMBER 2014 9 Exciting varieties Dear Good Fruit Grower: I have been reading the Good Fruit Grower since 1966—when my father returned from Washington State with our first copy. He was up there visiting Bill Luce. I have just finished reading volume 65, number 15 (October 2014 issue). This is the most EXCITING and ENCOURAGING edition I have ever read. The progress being made on a range of new varieties in the U.S and the articles on cider were really inspiring. During the last 40 years I have visited the Washington industry 33 times. During that time I have seen the indus- try go through many phases – good and bad. In reading this edition of your magazine I can see that the industry is entering yet another phase – this time a phase of excitement and opportunity. This world of new varieties is an opportunity initially at the growing level and in a few years at the marketing level. Now not everything in the new variety category will turn to gold—there will be some failures, but at least people are trying. I trust, like me, others have read the words of this edi- tion and also captured the vision between the lines about what is possible. John Paynter Executive Chairman Johnny Appleseed Group & The Yummy Fruit Co. Ltd., New Zealand Hungry for knowledge Dear Good Fruit Grower: Thanks for your article on the situation for fruit grow- ers in Kazakhstan ("Mission to Kazakhstan," October 2014 issue). The same seems to be true for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. I have volunteered three times for assign- ments in both countries with the Farmer-to-Farmer pro- gram, run by Winrock International and U.S. Agency for International Development, and VOCA/ACDI. My latest assignment was in November in the Khatlon province of Tajikistan. The people are really wonderful and, though chal- lenged each and every growing year, they are so hungry for knowledge, rootstocks, and just plain encourage- ment. It really humbles you once you are exposed to the conditions that they have been left with—such decay after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Literally kilometer after kilometer of abandoned orchards. I tell those in my community who donate funds for pruning tools, soil test kits, sharpeners, and other fruit growing materials it is all about "pruners, saws and knowledge" not "bullets and bombs." We would be smart as a nation to do more of this type of work. Regards, Bruce Gregory Mitchell Bay Farm & Nursery Friday Harbor, Washington IN THE BOX Write us at 105 S. 18th Street, #217, Yakima, WA 98901 or email growing@goodfruit.com