YAKIMA, Wash. -- H.R. Spinner Corp., one of the oldest produce packaging distributors in Washington, has donated $75,000 to help develop Washington State University tree fruit research orchards.

The money from the Yakima company will be used to develop two acres at WSU's Sunrise Research Orchard near Wenatchee and one acre at its Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center at Prosser.

"While our company focuses on packaging solutions, we absolutely recognize the importance of a healthy tree fruit supply chain, beginning with the planting of trees to apples arriving to consumers," said Ed Jewett, H.R. Spinner president.

"This investment moves us closer to completion of what really are the living laboratories for our scientists and students," said Jay Brunner, director of the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee.

Apple and pear growers throughout the state voted in September 2011 to assess themselves $27 million over the next eight years to support tree fruit research and extension at WSU.

H.R. Spinner was founded in 1916, has facilities in Yakima and Wenatchee and recently acquired wooden pallet and bin manufacturing capabilities in Naches.

-- Dan Wheat