Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/572389
6 OCTOBER 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com S everal years ago, Travis Allan led me on a tour of Allan Brothers orchards, teaching me the basics of growing Washington State's largest crop. I was a relatively new correspondent for the Associated Press with a lot of questions, and he was inordinately patient. Most of my agriculture stories had been about cattle to that point, and he taught me about different varieties and talked about historical crop yields and the evolution of pruning techniques. I learned a lot about the industry that day and, really, about myself: Who knew fruit could be so interesting? (Clearly, all of you.) I had fun and, in the years since, some of my most enjoyable days as a reporter have been spent with growers in the field, learning the ins and outs of producing their crops. Over the years, I also read Good Fruit Grower, shamelessly searching out stories that would be of interest to consumers, too. Like all of you, I recognized it as a valuable resource, with top-notch reporters and writers who know the industry and the players. I'm thrilled to now join their ranks as the magazine's senior editor. My colleagues set a high bar for excellence, and I look forward to bringing you the latest developments in research, new technologies, and trends to help you to succeed. Travis might not remember that day, but I never forgot it. He exemplified the gener- osity of an industry eager to grow the best products and willing to talk about how best to do it—even with a new-to-the-area reporter who knew more about heifers than hor- ticulture. So, if there's something you want to know or believe we should be covering, please don't hesitate to contact me at shannon@goodfruit.com. • FIRST BITE Shannon Dininny, Senior Editor Good Fruit edification Marvin Sundquist, 1926-2015 M arvin Sundquist, retired owner of Sundquist Fruit and Cold Storage in Yakima, Washington, and a leader in the fruit industry and in civic causes, died on August 29. He was 89. Sundquist Fruit and Cold Storage originated in 1922, when Ralph Sundquist, father of Marvin, agreed to manage an investor-owned fruit-growing operation in the lower Naches area of the Upper Yakima Valley in Washington State. Marvin Sundquist joined the family business in 1950. Orchard acreage subsequently doubled, and controlled atmospheric storage was built. Marvin eventually brought in his sons Steve, Curtis, and Craig to work for the company. Marvin's grand- son and Craig's son, Andrew Sundquist, is now president and chief executive officer of the family company. (Watch a video of Andrew describing the family history at http://bit.ly/1K8ii5O) Sundquist was an avid outdoorsman and bicyclist. He was deeply commit- ted to community. According to an obituary in the Yakima Herald-Republic: "His final days before succumbing to congestive heart failure were filled with family members sharing their memories of a man who was a role model for a younger generation of local leaders. Museums, schools, social service organiza- tions, and hospitals were among the beneficiaries of Sundquist's generosity.... His fingerprints are everywhere. He served on the board of directors for dozens of groups, including the Washington Horticultural Association, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, the Yakima Valley Museum and the Yakima Valley Salvation Army. A building bears his name at Yakima Valley Community College." PHOTO COURTESY OF LANCE A. JOHNSON. Left to right: Marvin Sundquist, Craig Sundquist (son of Marvin), Andrew Sundquist (grandson of Marvin; now president and CEO of Sundquist Fruit) and Eli Sundquist (great-grandson of Marvin). Photo was taken August 2012. cameronnursery.com 1261 Ringold Rd., PO Box 300 • Eltopia, WA 99330 We ship nationwide, so please call for price and availability! CONTRACTS for 2016 and beyond! Custom Contracted Apple, Pear, Cherry & Peach Trees ➱ TOP QUALITY ➱ VIRUS TESTED ➱ VERY COMPETITIVE PRICING HIGHEST QUALITY FRUIT TREES ! Call for: • TREES • ROOTSTOCK • INTERSTEMS • BENCH GRAFTS • SLEEPING EYES • ROYALTIES TIME TO • Fumigate ground for next year's planting • Decide +1 yr bench graft scion needs STACY GILMORE 509-266-4669 Stacy Gilmore • cnsales@fastmail.com