Tree Fruit Merger Part 2

Yesterday we told you that four tree fruit agencies have decided to merge into one entity. As of September 1st, Washington State Horticultural Association, Yakima Valley Grower-Shippers Association, Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and Washington Growers Clearing House Association will become the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. Stephanie Chance with Washington State Horticultural Association says that the group will become a 501c6 much like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

CHANCE: If we were going to start a new organization now we wouldn't start four to do the same thing, we would start one so basically these four are coming together. We're still going to have the same great information for the growers and that's a huge benefit in itself. There's going to be no duplication of efforts. It's all going to be streamlined and the same great service.

Jon DeVaney, who is the current Executive Director for the Yakima Valley Grower-Shippers has been named President of the new Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

CHANCE: He's been with the Yakima Valley Grower-Shippers since 2009 and before that he has extensive experience in the legislative side of things so he's extremely intelligent and great on the whole political side of things and then he has a really great tree fruit background so he's a perfect fit for this position.

Of course the staffs of all four organizations will need to be adjusted down to one and that will take some time.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.