Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751050
52 DECEMBER 2016 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com D iversification has been key to many fruit growers finding success in recent years, whether it's planting new apple varieties or expanding to include new crops. Count Zirkle Fruit among the devotees. The company continues to find a spot for itself in new, evolving niches of the industry. New varieties are regularly being evaluated, includ- ing the new Washington State University apple variety, Cosmic Crisp, of which 100 acres will be planted this spring. When a long-term lease with an orchard group included a roughly 400-acre block of wine grapes — something that was not a part of the company's strategic plan — the Zirkles ended up expanding acreage and, seeing a need, building a custom-crushing facility. More recently, the company planted and is growing organic blueberries for the fresh market. "It's an exciting time to be in the fruit business," Mark Zirkle said. "We're trying to find as many niches as we can." Mark or members of his team visit the company's roughly three-dozen orchards scattered across Central Washington almost daily during harvest to examine the DIVERSITY WINS Blueberries, wine grapes are among Zirkle Fruit's most recent endeavors. by Shannon Dininny photos by TJ Mullinax A Zirkle organic and fully covered blueberry farm in Mattawa.