WSU fruit funds win

Apple, pear growers pledge $27 million research donation

By DAN WHEAT

Capital Press

PROSSER, Wash. -- Washington's apple and pear growers voted to double research and outreach assessments on their crops to contribute $27 million to Washington State University.

It is the single largest gift in the university's history. WSU President Elson Floyd called the donation transformational and said it will be used, in time, to make WSU the No. 1 tree fruit research university in the world.

Cherry and stone fruit growers did not pass similar measures. Had they done so, $32 million would have been raised.

The results of August ballot measures for each commodity were announced by WSU and the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission at WSU's Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser on Sept. 20.

Ballots were mailed to about 3,000 growers who were allowed one vote based on the commodity they grow per legal entity. For example, an apple grower with two legally separate apple orchards was allowed two apple votes.

Of 791 apple ballots returned, 450, or 57 percent, were in favor. Pear growers cast 265 ballots with 148, or 56 percent, approved. Cherry growers cast 308 votes with 137, or 44 percent, in favor. Stone fruit growers cast 54 with 24 in favor, said Jim Doornink, chairman of the research commission.

The commission will start collection next year at an additional $1 per ton or 2 cents per box for apples and pears. Stone fruit would have been at the same rate but cherries would have been an additional $4 per ton or 4 cents per box.

Asked if cherries failed because of the higher amount, B.J. Thurlby, president of Northwest Cherry Growers in Yakima, Kirk Mayer, manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House Association in Wenatchee, and West Mathison, president of Stemilt Growers Inc. in Wenatchee, said they didn't know.

Mathison said he supported the assessment increase at grower meetings and in his company newsletter.

Cherry growers may have thought the assessment too high, said Jim McFerson, research commission manager. However, he said the dollar amount per acre was about the same as apples since per-acre yield of cherries is less than apples.

"We didn't make that clear enough or maybe cherry producers don't care," he said. "I'm sympathetic to those who feel they can't afford it."

Bruce Allen, owner of Columbia Reach Packing, Yakima, said he thinks cherry and stone fruit growers would pass measures if given a second chance.

The new assessment will be collected by the commission for eight years or until $27 million is raised. The amount raised annually will vary because of variability in crop sizes.

The new revenue will fund three endowments. Interest earnings from the endowments will fund support personnel and equipment for six faculty positions, five positions tied to WSU research and extension centers and supplementing county extension, and support for research orchard operations.

The $27 million is part of WSU's $1 billion fundraising campaign that started in 2006.