01/03/06 Pitching for research money

It has been said time and again that the tree fruit industry, along with other specialty crops, are not seeking more federal program dollars, but for more support when it comes to research and development, marketing, and technology that will increase markets and improve market share. For years, the fruit industry has been positioning itself to increase federal dollars in those areas. And Yakima Valley grower Charlie LaChappell says with the 2007 Farm Bill to be written in the coming months, there will be an increased push to remind both Congress and U.S.D.A. that as specialty crops has grown past program crops in terms of economic value, the amount of federal research dollars should continue to grow as well. LACHAPPELL: We have a plan inspired by a vision. We call that the National Technology Roadmap. And it's now a working model at the U.S.D.A. We are building a coalition with shared priorities and vision and shared investment between commodities of apples, pears, cherries, peaches, wine, citrus, and cane berry across the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. LaChappell says lobbying efforts will be done both by industry groups, and by individuals on a one on one basis with decision makers and at public events like the November Farm Bill Forum in Cheney.