Information & Technology Transfer

Karen Lewis leads the WSU Tree Fruit Extension Team, a collaboration of researchers and Extension Specialists from WSU, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, and Oregon State University Extension who work to support the Northwest industry through outreach and applied research. Members include Faith Critzer, Tianna DuPont, Gwen Hoheisel, Wendy Jones, Bernardita Sallato, Ashley Thompson (OSU) and WTFRC project manager Tory Schmidt. Their accomplishments include:

• In the last year, use of the Treefruit.wsu.edu grew by 26%. Page views climbed to 473,980—a 34% increase. Industry partners report regular use of the site.
• The Crop Protection Guide online system was upgraded to a new database and platform at cpg.treefruit.wsu.edu. More than 50 major updates included product efficacy tables, a new major insects and diseases section for each crop, organic symbols, and multiple new products.
• Fruit Matters electronic newsletter subscriptions increased to 1,774.
• More than 320 visitors attended WSU Fruit School–Cherry Production from Bud to Bucket, delivered via distance technology to Prosser, Wenatchee, and The Dalles. More than 200 took part in cherry pre-harvest field days in Okanogan, Royal City, Prosser, and The Dalles.
• New hires: Jenny Bolivar was hired in Nov. 2019 for an Extension ITT horticulture position focusing on outreach and applied research in abiotic stress management and apple rootstock evaluation and demonstration. Future hires include Extension ITT positions in postharvest systems and tree fruit communications.