Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/744696
6 NOVEMBER 2016 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com started her job last November, studies bee parasites and diseases and is assisting with the expansion of OSU Honey Bee Lab's diagnostic services for beekeepers. Jorgensen, who started in March, also helps with bee health diagnostics and conducts field studies in partnership with commercial beekeepers. The three positions were made pos- sible by a $14 million investment in OSU research and extension by the 2015 Oregon Legislature. Wine quality research grants available T he Washington State Grape and Wine Research Program is accept- ing research proposals for competitive grants to improve wine quality. The grant program is open to princi- pal investigators at all Washington state public institutions with the capabilities to address the research and outreach needs of Washington's viticulture and enology industry. Collaboration with out-of-state researchers is encouraged, but the principal investigator must be located within the state of Washington. The research program, administered by Washington State University, is funded through a unique public, pri- vate and industry partnership. Industry funding comes from the Washington State Wine Commission, which rep- resents all wine grape growers and wineries in the state, and private funding comes from the Auction of Washington Wines. Public funds come from the state liter tax on all wine sold and WSU's Agricultural Research Center. The research program funded 13 viticulture and enology research pro- grams totaling nearly $870,000 in the last funding cycle. Research proposals will be accepted through Dec. 12. For more informa- tion, visit cahnrs.wsu.edu. USDA OKs Arctic Fuji nonbrowning GMO apple T he U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved for public con- sumption a third genetically modified apple by British Columbia's Okanagan Specialty Fruits: the Arctic Fuji. The apple joins the company's Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny varieties. "The response to Arctic Fuji apples and our overall platform to deliver direct benefits to consumers has been encour- aging," said Neal Carter, Okanagan Specialty Fruits' founder and president. "We are confident the positive feedback we have received will translate to the marketplace." The enzyme polyphenol oxidase, the primary cause of browning in fruit, has been reduced in the apples to prevent browning, which is noticeable when the apple is sliced, bitten or bruised. Longtime fruit industry leader Brandt dies E verette Brandt, a tree fruit industry leader in Washington's Yakima Valley for decades, died Sept. 24 at age 88. Born in Shelton, Washington, Brandt spent most of his years in the Wapato, Washington, area, where he grew up in a farming family and eventually began growing tree fruit on his own farm. In the 1950s, he became the national sales representative for Carlton Nursery in Forest Grove, Oregon, where he worked for a number of years, introducing many new apple and soft fruit varieties into the region. Along with his children, Brandt formed E.W. Brandt & Sons in 1979. He was among the first growers in the state to grow apples on dwarfing trees, and in the early 2000s, the company obtained the exclusive rights to bring an Australia vari- ety to the U.S. This variety was ultimately trademarked under the brand Pink Lady. "Dad was always looking for innovation in all that he did. He also instilled a strong work ethic to all of his offspring, " said son Lynnell Brandt, president of Brandt's Fruit Trees, a spinoff of E.W. Brandt & Sons that sells trees and mar- kets new fruit varieties along with a new sister company, Proprietary Variety Management. PVM holds the contract with Washington State University to license to growers, packers and marketers WSU's two new apple varieties, WA 2 and WA 38 (also known as Cosmic Crisp). The first commercial trees of the Cosmic Crisp will be planted by growers in Washington next spring. Everette Brandt is survived by his wife, Ada, and his four children — sons Lynnell, Allen and Dana and daughter Cynthia Tissell, who now individually own and run E.W. Brandt & Sons, TLC Orchards, Pink Lady America, Proprietary Variety Management (PVM), TKR Orchards and Brandt Fruit Trees — as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom are also involved with the various businesses. COURTESY BRANDT FAMILY Everette Brandt, 1927-2016 THE GATOR GIVE-A-WAY HAS RETURNED! For information only. Not a label. Prior to use, always read and follow the product label directions. WILBUR-ELLIS logo and Ideas to Grow With are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC. K-0916-042 ag.wilburellis.com Visit the Wilbur-Ellis and the Good Fruit Grower booth at the Washington Horticulture Show December 5-7!