Ag Industry Pioneer Dies

Ag Industry Pioneer Dies. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Eastern Washington's ag industry has lost a pioneer. Bud Mercer was 71 when he died last Wednesday evening following a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. NW Ag's Lacy Gray has more. GRAY: Few family names have had as much impact on the ag community as the name Mercer and Bud Mercer was not only a famer but a philanthropist and a friend to many. Mercer was a third generation farmer and rancher whose operations were extremely diversified. Carrots, onions, potatoes and grapes were just a few of the things he put his hand to. Dan Newhouse, director of the Washington Department of Agriculture and a friend. NEWHOUSE: Everyone who knew him knew him as a friend and certainly an individual who was a leader in our agriculture industry as an innovator, a forward thinker, a big thinker. And it didn't just stop there. He was a very philanthropically minded as well and gave a lot to his community so certainly a big loss to our state and our industry. GRAY: He was instrumental in bringing irrigation to the region and helped form the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association, which now represents many of Eastern Washington's largest farming operations. He took on a leadership role in agricultural water rights, The Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center in Prosser benefitted greatly from his involvement. The legacy that Bud Mercer leaves will live on as the rich diversity that is Eastern Washington agriculture. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.