The WSU Tree Fruit Extension Team is excited to welcome Antonia Sánchez-Labbé as Tree Fruit Extension Educator – Horticulture, based at the WSU Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser.
In this role, Antonia will work with Washington tree fruit growers, industry members, researchers, and Extension faculty to support applied horticulture education and outreach. Her program will focus on practical orchard management, tree fruit production, fruit quality, and research-based information that can help growers make informed decisions in the field.
Antonia brings a strong background in horticulture, plant physiology, and the tree fruit industry. She is an agronomist and horticulturist with graduate training in plant physiology, and her experience has centered on commercial tree fruit production, orchard systems, crop load management, rootstock and variety evaluation.
Before joining WSU, Antonia worked closely with growers, technical teams, nurseries, researchers, and commercial partners across several fruit-producing regions in the world. Much of her work has focused on cherries, including orchard establishment, training systems, new variety evaluation, field research, and technical education for growers and industry partners.
Antonia’s farming background strongly shapes her approach to Extension. She understands that successful outreach must connect science with real orchard conditions and the practical decisions growers make every day. Her goal is to develop clear, useful, and accessible educational resources that help growers apply research-based horticultural knowledge in commercial production systems that can generate an impact in profitability.
Antonia also brings a global view of the tree fruit business and a strong interest in learning from other crops, regions and team members. She believes that some of the most valuable solutions come from collaboration across disciplines, industries, and organizations, and from openly learning from shared challenges. Her Extension approach will emphasize listening to growers, building partnerships, and connecting ideas from research, industry, and practical farming experience.
Antonia looks forward to meeting Washington tree fruit growers and industry members, learning about their production priorities, and identifying opportunities for collaboration. Please reach out to Antonia to schedule a visit, share ideas, or discuss horticultural needs related to tree fruit production
Contact
Antonia Sánchez-Labbé
Tree Fruit Extension Educator
Washington State University
Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center
Prosser, WA
Email: a.sanchezlabbe@wsu.edu
Phone: +1 661-557-0157
WhatsApp: +56 9 9644 9565
