Good Fruit Grower

January 2017

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18 JANUARY 1, 2017 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com W ashington and Oregon pear growers will vote this year whether to continue the federal marketing order that allows them to collectively promote their fruit. The measure, a referendum organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is routine. It happens every six years. Supporters hope it stays routine. "It's in the best interest of all the growers," said Ron Rivers, a grower in Parkdale, Oregon, in the Hood River Valley. "Because we have to work as a unit, a unified group." The fifth-generation grower is a board member of Pear Bureau Northwest, the Clackamas, Oregon, association that administers the marketing order. He pro- duces 8 million pounds of pears, sending them to Duckwall Fruit for packing. The measure takes on a different twist this year in the wake of the exit of organic growers. In June last year, growers and pack- ers who account for 93 percent of the Northwest's organic pear production opted out of paying organic promotion assessments. The bureau's board of directors then chose to cease generic pro- motions of organic pears through adver- tisements, in-store samples and other marketing activities under the brand name USA Pears. Organic pears repre- sent about 6 percent of the Northwest's Pear decision 2017 Outlook Growers to vote on keeping pear marketing order. by Ross Courtney PHOTOS COURTESY OF PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST A boy chomps into a pear slice at a stop in China along the USA Pear Road Show, a promotion of Pear Bureau Northwest. In a routine vote, growers in Washington and Oregon are being asked to approve continuing the marketing order that allows such generic promotions. Farm Orchard Vineyard Berry Trellising Kiln Dried Pressure Treated Round Wood Posts and Rails. Preferred supplier for BC Ministries & Parks Canada. Guaranteed Life Expectancy of 25 years if not damaged or altered before or af ter installation. Contact Bill Everitt TF 877.797.7678 beveritt@xplornet.ca www.pwppost.com 120 N. Naches Avenue | Yakima, WA 98901 | 509.853.3000 1420 Fifth Avenue | Suite 3000 | Seattle, WA 98101 | 206.626.6000 stokeslaw.com/agriculture At Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore, we take the time to understand what's important to you. We have decades of experience working with agricultural clients and deep knowledge of the business and legal issues they face. Let's reach your goals together. Realizing Your Vision Estate/Succession Planning George Velikanje Garon Jones Ellen Jackson Business/Real Estate Morrie Shore Dustin Yeager Charissa Johnston Litigation/Employment Brendan Monahan Sarah Wixson Sean Russel Erika Hartliep Jaime Cuevas, Jr.

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