02/02/05 Tree fruit`s economic impact

Washington Ag February 2, 2005 What's the impact of the tree fruit industry on the economy of Washington state? A study released this week by the Washington State Horticultural Association says it's a 5.6 billion dollar impact. The study was based on the 2003-2004 crop and accounts for not only the farm-gate value of the fruit, what the grower receives, but the economic ripple effect as the fruit moves through the packing, processing, marketing and shipping chain. Plus there are the inputs that are purchased by producers and the incomes earned by fruit-industry workers. The Hort Association is providing the Legislature, regulatory agencies, the governor's office and the state's congressional delegation with copies of the study in the hope it will generate political support and help protect the tree fruit industry from burdensome regulations. The Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show is going on in Moses Lake and runs through tomorrow at Big Bend Community College and the Grant County Fairgrounds. Tonight is the Washington State Potato Foundation Industry Leadership Banquet at the Moses Lake Convention Center at 7 p.m. The Foundation has named Gary Pelter as the 2005 Industry Leadership Award winner. Pelter has been a Grant/Adams Area Extension Agent since 1980. A scholarship will also be dedicated in Pelter's name for a college bound youth in the 2005-2006 school year. I'm Bob Hoff.