wenatchee tree fruit research & extension...

Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center

• The annual impact of the tree fruit industry on the state’s economy exceeds $10 billion, by far the highest of any agricultural product in Washington.

• Fruit crops are produced on 240,000 acres, apples are being the dominant crop with 170,000 bearing acres.

• The annual impact of the tree fruit industry on the state’s Washington is the number one state in production of apples, pears and sweet cherries, producing more than half (65%) of all apples, 45% of sweet cherries, and 40% of all pears in the U.S.

• About one-third of Washington’s fresh fruit is exported and roughly 10% of production is certified organic.

About the WA Tree Fruit Industry

“TFREC is the hub for researchers, educators,extension specialist, students, and stakeholdersfocusing on irrigated tree fruit and specialty cropsystems to develop and apply new science-basedknowledge and products to advanceeconomically, environmentally, and socialsustainable agriculture for industries andcommunities in Washington and the world.”

Our Mission Statement

• Achour Amiri, Plant Pathology; Postharvest Tree Fruit Diseases

• Elizabeth Beers, Entomology; Tree Fruit IPM

• Tianna DuPont, ANR; Tree Fruit Extension Specialist

• Kate Evans, Horticulture; Pome Fruit Breeding

• David Granatstein, emeritus, Sustainable & Organic Agriculture

• Vince Jones, Entomology; Director, Tree Fruit Decision Aid System

• Lee Kalcsits, Horticulture; Tree Fruit Physiology

• Jim McFerson, Horticulture; Director, WSU-TFREC

• Stefano Musacchi, Hort; Endowed Chair, Tree Fruit Physiol & Mgmt

• Tobin Northfield, Entomology; Tree Fruit

• Marcy Ostrom; Small Farms & Community Food Systems

• Sara Serra, Horticulture; Tree Fruit Physiology & Management

• Carolina Torres, Horticulture; Endowed Chair, Postharvest Systems

TFREC Faculty

Tianna DuPont Vince JonesElizabeth Beers Kate Evans

David Granatstein

Stefano Musacchi

Marcy Ostrom Sara SerraLee Kalcsits

Achour Amiri

TFREC Faculty

Tobin NorthfieldAsst ProfessorEntomology

Carolina TorresTree Fruit Endowed ChairPostharvest SystemsHorticulture

Recently-arrived TFREC Faculty

Physical Plant & Farm Operations Staff

Administrative Staff

Darla Ewald

Cameron Burt Jerry Moreland Micah Cawdery

Francisco Figueroa Mike Mitchell Trish Mulvaney

Not pictured: Physical Plant & Farm Operations: Terry Collier, Evan Mendonca, Sergio Alfaro

Rameriz, & Daniella Reyes

Jim McFerson

TFREC Director

Megan Welker

• Our programs also include basic science research in these areas:

o Plant physiology & biochemistryo Entomologyo Plant pathology

o Horticultureo Insect ecology & behavioro Biological control o Disease epidemiology

o Orchard Management

• Research and extension programs focus primarily on apples and pears with some work on sweet cherries.

• Comprehensive research and extension projects are conducted in all phases of orchard production including: insect and disease management, decision support systems, tree and fruit growth/physiology, orchard establishment, postharvest storage and disorders, apple scion breeding and rootstock selection.

Research & Extension Programs at the Center

From left to right: Jim McFerson, David Granatstein, Ines Hanrahan, Lynn Sosnoskie, Tianna DuPont,

Karen Lewis, Wendy Jones, Bernardita Sallato, Gwen Hoheisel, Tory Schmidt

Tree Fruit Extension Team

L to R: Corina Serban, Sarah Kostick, Michelle Reid, Jamie Coggins, Adrian Marshall, Josh Milnes, Brendon Anthony, Robert Orpet,

Jason Jacobson, Alix Whitner, Likun Wang

Not Pictured: Brent Arnoldussen, Lederson Betancour, Erica Casagrande-Biasuz,

David Enicks, Raquel Gomez, Jim Hepler, Stefan Roeder, Nadia Valverdi

TFREC Graduate Students

• TFREC has 422 acres of total land resources

• The Center campus includes 30 acres used for:o 4 acres of research orchardo Research & office buildingso Greenhouseso Shopo Student housing

Facilities & Resources

Columbia View Orchard

• 92 acre research orchard located near Orondo in Douglas County.

• 46 acres of tree fruit blocks shared with USDA-ARS.

• The entire site is encircled by an electrified deer fence.

Sunrise Research Orchard

• Purchased 2006

• 300 A/150 A with water rights

• 50 acres of research plots

• 30 acres open

• 60 acres certified organic leased

• Equipment & shop compound

• Purchased in 2006

• Located south of Rock Island Dam on Hwy 28.

• 80 acres dedicated to research.

• 60 acres including 45 acres of certified organic are leased for commercial production with some research activities

• Secured equipment compound with modular units for research & educational activities

Field Day Sunrise Research Orchard

WA 38 test planting

Sunrise Research Orchard

$32M Tree Fruit Endowment

Tree Fruit Growers passed a time limited special project assessment

Supports WSU Wenatchee and Prosser R&E Centers

• Endowed Chairs ($12 Million)

• Information & Technology Transfer ($12 Million)

• Research Facilities & Orchard Operations ($8 Million)

Partnered Management with the Endowment Advisory Committee

Largest gift in WSU history!

TFREC at a Glance

• Crops: apple, pear, sweet cherry

• Systems: conventional, organics, new technologies

• Land resources: 400+ acres of research orchards & facilities

• 12 WSU Faculty, 35 Staff, 6

post-docs,14 grad students• USDA-ARS Postharvest Research Facility

Thanks to the AuvilFoundation, we have new tractor at the WSU Sunrise Research Orchard

AuvilFoundation Purchase

Research Orchard Activities

Top working apple trees

New irrigation controls

Research Orchard Activities

Orchard floormanagement

Research Orchard Activities

A comprehensive facilities concept plan guides infrastructure upgrades

“Cultivating connection, creativity and critical thinking in the Wenatchee Valley.”

The TFREC is a charter member of the Wenatchee Valley BRIDGE, new Research and Innovation District