Good Fruit Grower

October 2015

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www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER OCTOBER 2015 7 McFerson takes on dual role D r. Jim McFerson assumed the new role of director of Washington State University's Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in August, while still working as manager of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission. Under his contract with WSU, which expires February 2017, he will work 65 percent for WSU and 35 percent for the Research Commission. At WSU, he will work alongside the former director of the research center, Dr. Jay Brunner, until Brunner retires at the end of this year. McFerson expects the Research Commission to continue without hiring a new manager during the transition period. He said if the contract is renewed, it would likely be on a full-time basis with WSU. McFerson, 64, joined the Research Commission in 1999. He was previously in charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva, New York. He has a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin, a master's degree in horticulture from Texas A & M University, and a doctor- ate in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Wisconsin. See the full story, "McFerson named director of WSU Tree Fruit Research Center," at www.goodfruit.com. Layne moves to Pullman D r. Desmond Layne, hired by Washington State University three years ago as its tree fruit extension leader, has moved from Wenatchee to the Pullman cam- pus to take a new administrative position. Layne is now director of the Agricultural and Food Systems and Integrated Plant Sciences programs, a position previously held by Dr. Kimberlee Kidwell, who also served as associate dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). Layne's tree fruit extension position, an endowed chair based at the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, was partially funded by the tree fruit industry. Although Layne will continue to be involved in extension, working with researchers in Pullman, his position will no longer be supported with industry endowment funds, said Kidwell, who is acting dean of CAHNRS. WSU will work with the WSU Tree Fruit Endowment Advisory Committee to decide whether the endowment extension position will be filled. Jake Gutzwiler, a member of the advisory committee, said committee members will meet this fall to discuss priority positions for the tree fruit industry and whether the tree fruit extension leader position should be filled. The committee has identified the need for other positions, including an endowed chair in postharvest systems, an endowed chair in soils, and an endowed postharvest technology transfer (extension) specialist. Layne was state fruit specialist and state extension pro- gram team leader for horticulture at Clemson University in South Carolina before joining WSU in 2012. He has a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and a master's degree and doctorate in pomology from Michigan State University. See the full story, "Des Layne takes new WSU position in Pullman," at www.goodfruit.com. Clarification I n our September issue, we reported on management changes at C&O Nursery but neglected to run the photo of Todd Snyder, who was elected president and CEO. C&O Nursery is a Wenatchee, Washington- based family owned and oper- ated company, now in its 109th year. We regret the omission and congratulate Todd. See more Quick Bites on pages 38 and 39. QUICK BITES People and industry in the news. Read more Fresh Updates at goodfruit.com/fresh-updates Jim McFerson Desmond Layne Todd Snyder www.mcmnw.com 1325 Fourth Avenue Suite 2100 Seattle, WA 800.347.2303 Doug Darlington | doug.darlington@mcmnw.com John Hickey | john.hickey@mcmnw.com CONTACT US Our hearts go out to families and businesses affected by the recent fires in Eastern Washington. Insurance | Benefits | Consulting Harvest Will Come Again

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