Year In Review
Year In Review. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.
2014 turned out to be a stellar year for the tree fruit industry. Weather conditions from the get-go allowed tree fruit across the board to have record years. Looking back at the year the cherry season got off to an early start as spring came in early. It helped get growing regions up and running earlier than usual. NW Cherries, BJ Thurlby was cautiously optimistic.
THURLBY: Mother Nature could have any number of things lined up for us down the road and we'll cross those bridges when we have to but right now thing s look great.
One major issue that had many producers worried was crack found in the Wanapum Dam that caused a significant drawdown in water levels so repairs could be affected.
GRIMM: And of course the big one that we're concerned about is what about the irrigators who are impacted behind the Rock Island reservoir? They can't promise any water level because they don't control it.
At long last, the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center opened their doors after years of work. The Center has seen a quick influx of visitors and just prior to the grand opening added Tasting Room Manager, April Reddout.
REDDOUT: We are committed to promoting all of Washington wine so as we're designing our program we had decided the focus on a different AVA every month starting in June and we'll just rotate the focus and we'll be bringing in wine from the different AVA's so that we can tell the story of what else is available in Washington and educate our visitors.
That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.
