Sep 26, 2011

Washington apple, pear growers vote to fund research

Apple and pear growers who pay assessments to the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission recently voted to pass a special assessment that will raise $27 million over the next eight years. The goal of the assessment is to expand Washington State University’s (WSU) tree fruit research and Extension activities, according to WSU.

Washington State Department of Agriculture officials certified the election results Sept. 16. Separate ballots were mailed for apples, pears, cherries and stone fruit, with producers of each commodity voting on the assessment. Of the 791 ballots cast by apple growers, 450, or 57 percent, approved a $1 per ton assessment dedicated to WSU research and Extension. Of the 265 ballots cast by pear growers, 148, or 56 percent, approved a $1 per ton assessment. Cherry and stone fruit growers did not approve the special project assessment, according to WSU.