Washington State University Extension, with help from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, would like your help in researching changes in pesticide use in apples from 2020 to 2026 for organic and conventional apples. The research team would like to understand how pesticide use has changed in response to pressures such as resistance concerns, economics, or perceived effectiveness of pesticides. This will be done in a focus group setting, led by Chris McCullough (WSDA, Wenatchee), where participants will review the 2020 usage data and make necessary adjustments to products, rates, timings, and acres treated to create an industry standard approach.
This information will help inform future WSU research to better meet the needs of the apple industry by identifying what is and isn’t being used in apple crop protection. The information gathered from this study may be used by WSDA to help them continue to advocate for fair and reasonable regulations handed down by the EPA. For example, the WSDA uses this information to better inform EPA about what is happening on the ground with crop production. Without state-level data, the EPA makes the broadest assumption that all pesticide labeled for specific crops are applied at the maximum rate and number of times to all crop acres. By demonstrating that pesticide usage does not follow these assumptions, we can advocate for less stringent regulations on pesticide use.
There will be four focus groups to discuss pesticide usage in apples. These meetings will not be more than two hours long. Participation is voluntary and all information provided will remain anonymous. You do not need to bring or provide spray records, but be able to speak knowledgeably on the use of pesticides in 2026 for orchards you are responsible for. Dates and locations are:
Tri-Cities area: 9 – 11am on Sept 22nd Benton County Extension Office, Mission Peak room, 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick
Yakima area: 2 – 4 pm on Sept 24th, Yakima County Extension Office, SunComm room, 2403 S. 18th St. Union Gap
Wenatchee area: 9 – 11 am on Oct 12th, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N. Western Ave. Wenatchee
Omak area: 10 -12 pm on Oct 13, Community Foundation of NCW, 715A Okoma Dr. Omak
If you have questions or other comments please contact Chris at Christopher.mccullough@agr.wa.gov or 564-669-3809.
