Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/603228
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower DECEMBER 2015 11 Mike Willett joins Research Commission T he Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission has appointed Dr. Mike Willett as manager of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission to suc- ceed Dr. Jim McFerson, who is now direc- tor of Washington State University's Tree Fruit Research and Extension C e n t e r i n Wenatchee. M c F e r s o n h a s a s p l i t a p p o i n t m e n t and will con- tinue to work a third of his time for the com- mission until February 2017, when he will be full time with WSU. Jim Doornink, com- mission chair, said Willett and McFerson will work together to develop a strategic planning process for the commission during the transition. Willett was previously vice president for scientific affairs at the Northwest Horticultural Council, where he worked primarily on phytosanitary and agro- chemical issues relating to production and marketing of tree fruits. He has a bachelor's degree in horticul- ture from Michigan State University and a master's degree and doctorate in horticul- ture from Washington State University. He began his career with Oregon State University Extension in Medford, Oregon, and was regional tree fruit pest manage- ment specialist with WSU Cooperative Extension in Yakima from 1983 to 1996. He then joined the Hort Council as technical issues manager and was promoted to vice president of scientific affairs in 2001. Willett said he hopes to continue the Research Commission's focus on seeking practical information, through research and industry service, to meet the chal- lenges that arise in growing, packing, and marketing Washington State tree fruit. Specifically, he expects the commis- sion to fund research that will: —Help growers manage both old and new orchard systems. —Increase use of technology to better use the talents of a smaller labor pool. —Improve efficiency of inputs, such as water, pest management practices, and nutrients. He also expects the commission to commit resources toward helping the industry respond to food safety issues and to supporting market access, along with funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture sources. In addition, the board wants to strengthen its strategic planning to take advantage of opportunities made possi- ble by the Tree Fruit Endowment, Willett said. In 2012, Washington tree fruit growers began paying a special research assessment to raise $32 million for WSU over the course of eight years. Part of the funds are being used to help establish new endowed research and technology transfer positions. Mike Willett Willow Drive Nursery, Inc. Call Toll Free: 1-888-548-7337 3539 Road 5 NW, Ephrata, WA 98823 www.willowdrive.com Ambrosia™ Blondee™ Cameo® brand Chrisolyn™ Jonathan Granny Smith Jonastar™ Jonagold Pink Lady® Brand RubyMac® Snowsweet® Spartan Zestar!® Gala: Buckeye® Gala Ultima Gala® Early Fuji: Morning Mist™ Rising Sun® Braeburn: Kumeu Crimson® Mariri Red™ Additional Varieties Brookfield ® Gala (Baigent CV) From New Zealand we bring you Brookfield, ® the ultimate striped Gala.The bold red stripe over its red background is the obvious improvement. The apple's early color permits proper harvest timing for best storage maturity, flavor retention, and customer satisfaction. Lady in Red This high colored Cripps Pink sport begins color formation well over a month before harvest and finishes off with a beautiful, nice, reddish-pink hue. Lady in Red was shown to mature approximately one week earlier than the Cripps Pink cultivar grown in the same location in New Zealand. *Trademark license for Pink Lady® Brand available upon request (Lady in Red is a sport of Cripps Pink) USPP #18,787 Royal Red Honeycrisp ® Discovered in the Columbia Basin of Washington State, this exciting new color sport of Honeycrisp is catching attention from coast to coast. Royal Red Honeycrisp® is a blush type selection and maintains the crisp, juicy texture of its parent that so many consumers have come to love. Beyond the high color factor, initial tests indicate that it's improved storage characteristics may be equally important in improving pack-out. USPP #22,244 Aztec Fuji ® DT2 variety Aztec Fuji ® is a high colored Fuji sport from New Zealand. It has the sweet juicy flavor, crisp texture and harvest maturity of standard Fuji. Aztec is a blush type and observations show it to be one of the highest coloring Fuji sports to date. Aztec Fuji® is a protected trademark of Waimea Variety Management Early Robin ® This early Rainier-type cherry matures 7-10 days before standard Rainier. Early Robin ® is mild in flavor and medium to large in size. Early Robin ® requires a pollinizer but Van should not be used. USPP#13,951 Early Robin ® Aztec Fuji ® Royal Red Honeycrisp ® Willow Drive Nursery Call now for availability