Apple and pear growers make historic gift to WSU for research

Apple and Pear Growers to support WSU research with largest gift in University history. I’m Bob Hoff. Washington Ag Today is next.

Washington Ag Today September 21, 2011 Washington’s apple and pear growers have voted to double the current assessments on their fruit and invest 27 million dollars over the next eight years to support tree fruit research and extension at Washington State University.

Jim Doornink, chair of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission made the announcement yesterday at WSU’s research station at Prosser.

Doornink: “What we are here for today is really a game changer for our industry. So we need to be thinking of what this is going to do for us in the future and I think it is going to be …big.”

Washington State University President Elson Floyd called the 27 million dollar endowment truly transformational.

Floyd: “And as to this commission and to these growers, I want you to know unabashedly that you have a very strong partner in Washington State University. We are going to do everything within our power, with your assistance, to advance the research and the scholarship in this particular area.”

Dan Bernardo, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences said WSU will create and pay the salaries of six endowed chairs for the tree fruit research program. New positions for tree fruit extension will also be created and an endowment will support research orchards at Prosser and Wenatchee.

Washington cherry and stone fruit growers failed to approve this special assessment for additional WSU research funding.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.