Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:19:10 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1885020 en-us © 2026 Bearing Fruit: A Podcast from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) yes 6874e734-4180-55ef-acc8-ad17affb0d41 Bob Larson episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) WSTFA,Washington,state,tree,fruit,association,annual,meeting,NW,hort,expo Bob Larson https://storage.buzzsprout.com/p80df66dla23dklorjomh9m2x9u1?.jpg Cherry Harvest, Cosmic Crisp Exclusivity, New Leader at WA State Fruit Commission, and WSTFA Golf Tournament We talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney, WA State Fruit Commission President Eric Patrick, and WSU's Jeremy Tamsen.

]]> We talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney, WA State Fruit Commission President Eric Patrick, and WSU's Jeremy Tamsen.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-19295733 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0700 2485 5 2 full false WSTFA 2025 Annual Meeting and Tree Fruit Day 2026 This episode of Bearing Fruit shares some conversations we had with folks at December's WSTFA Annual Meeting in Wenatchee, along with a chat I had with a WSTFA lobbyist during Tree Fruit Day in Olympia last month. 

]]> This episode of Bearing Fruit shares some conversations we had with folks at December's WSTFA Annual Meeting in Wenatchee, along with a chat I had with a WSTFA lobbyist during Tree Fruit Day in Olympia last month. 

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-18718234 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0800 3269 5 1 full false Tree Fruit Harvest Season 2025 Harvest related topics include how apples and pears have been doing this season, the upcoming WSTFA Annual Meeting in Wenatchee, and H-2A reform and how that is going. 

]]> Harvest related topics include how apples and pears have been doing this season, the upcoming WSTFA Annual Meeting in Wenatchee, and H-2A reform and how that is going. 

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-17964125 Mon, 06 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0700 2480 4 4 full false Washington Apple Season 2025 Washington apple harvest for 2025 is upon us and we talk with Washington State Tree Fruit Association president Jon DeVaney and Washington Apple Commission president Michael Schadler about this season's forecast and what to expect from this year's crop as harvest gets underway.

]]> Washington apple harvest for 2025 is upon us and we talk with Washington State Tree Fruit Association president Jon DeVaney and Washington Apple Commission president Michael Schadler about this season's forecast and what to expect from this year's crop as harvest gets underway.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-17729970 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0700 2081 4 3 full false Northwest Cherries Harvest Set to Begin! We talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about cherries and other tree fruit-related subjects. Then we are joined by Karley Lange, the Domestic Promotions Director for Northwest Cherries, to tell us about the estimates for the upcoming crop and what to expect in the weeks ahead when the cherries are on store shelves.

]]> We talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about cherries and other tree fruit-related subjects. Then we are joined by Karley Lange, the Domestic Promotions Director for Northwest Cherries, to tell us about the estimates for the upcoming crop and what to expect in the weeks ahead when the cherries are on store shelves.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-17258138 Sat, 31 May 2025 09:00:00 -0700 1386 4 2 full false WAEF's Witherbee is Back and Water Outlook Questionable On this episode of Bearing Fruit, we talk with former and returning Executive Director of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Jennifer Witherbee about return to the post and what WAEF is up to this year. We also talk with Larry Mattson, the new Director for the Office of Columbia River about what growers should expect from the water supply in 2025. 

]]> On this episode of Bearing Fruit, we talk with former and returning Executive Director of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Jennifer Witherbee about return to the post and what WAEF is up to this year. We also talk with Larry Mattson, the new Director for the Office of Columbia River about what growers should expect from the water supply in 2025. 

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-16863969 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0700 2407 4 1 full false WSTFA 2024 Annual Meeting & Hort Show and the Ag Leadership Program This month we talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the upcoming 120th Annual Meeting and Hort Show as well as the Ag Leadership Program. We also talk with Monson Fruit Grower Relations Rep, Jeff Baldwin who is the chair for this year's WSTFA Annual Meeting and what will be happening there. We also chat with Viri Acevedo, an office operations manager at Zirkle Fruit and a graduate of the Ag Leadership Program. She will share her experience with ALP and why she believes in the program and why it might be something you should consider as well.

]]> This month we talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the upcoming 120th Annual Meeting and Hort Show as well as the Ag Leadership Program. We also talk with Monson Fruit Grower Relations Rep, Jeff Baldwin who is the chair for this year's WSTFA Annual Meeting and what will be happening there. We also chat with Viri Acevedo, an office operations manager at Zirkle Fruit and a graduate of the Ag Leadership Program. She will share her experience with ALP and why she believes in the program and why it might be something you should consider as well.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-16046885 Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0800 2379 3 7 full false Estimates for the 2024 Northwest Apple and Pear Crops We talk with Washington State Tree Fruit Association President, Jon DeVaney who shares his thoughts on the early estimates for this year's apple crop ... and then we chat with Pear Bureau Northwest International Marketing Director Jeff Correa about how things are looking for our pear crop this season.

]]> We talk with Washington State Tree Fruit Association President, Jon DeVaney who shares his thoughts on the early estimates for this year's apple crop ... and then we chat with Pear Bureau Northwest International Marketing Director Jeff Correa about how things are looking for our pear crop this season.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-15787643 Fri, 20 Sep 2024 09:00:00 -0700 1720 full false Meet the New Leadership at Pear Bureau Northwest We begin talking with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the new Pear Bureau President and other changes there. We also discuss the upcoming WSTFA Golf Tournament coming on August 27th. Then we meet Pear Bureau's new President CarrieAnn Arias and the new role for International Marketing Director Jeff Correa as Manager of the Fresh Pear Committee.

]]> We begin talking with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the new Pear Bureau President and other changes there. We also discuss the upcoming WSTFA Golf Tournament coming on August 27th. Then we meet Pear Bureau's new President CarrieAnn Arias and the new role for International Marketing Director Jeff Correa as Manager of the Fresh Pear Committee.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-15510929 Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:00:00 -0700 2424 3 5 full false Are Honeybee Populations in Crisis? We kick things off with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney to talk about tree fruit harvest that are underway or soon to begin. We follow up with Todd Myers, Senior Vice President of Research at the Washington Policy Center, a beekeeper himself, about the threats to our honeybee populations and whether it's something to BEE too concerned about. Then, we talk with Brandon Hopkins, Assistant Research Professor with the Washington State University Apiary Program to get his take on what their studies show when it comes to honeybee threats.

]]> We kick things off with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney to talk about tree fruit harvest that are underway or soon to begin. We follow up with Todd Myers, Senior Vice President of Research at the Washington Policy Center, a beekeeper himself, about the threats to our honeybee populations and whether it's something to BEE too concerned about. Then, we talk with Brandon Hopkins, Assistant Research Professor with the Washington State University Apiary Program to get his take on what their studies show when it comes to honeybee threats.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-15303426 Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0700 3078 3 4 full false A Pair of Big Retirements in the NW Tree Fruit Industry and a Drought Emergency We open up with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney talking about hot topics in the tree fruit industry and then move to a pair of leaders in the NW tree fruit industry who have recently announced their upcoming retirements. We talk with Keving Moffitt, President and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, and Washington Apple Commission President Todd Fryhover, about their accomplishments over the years, the challenges their replacements will be facing and what their plans are moving forward.

]]> We open up with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney talking about hot topics in the tree fruit industry and then move to a pair of leaders in the NW tree fruit industry who have recently announced their upcoming retirements. We talk with Keving Moffitt, President and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, and Washington Apple Commission President Todd Fryhover, about their accomplishments over the years, the challenges their replacements will be facing and what their plans are moving forward.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-15019386 Mon, 06 May 2024 11:00:00 -0700 3587 3 3 full false Legislative Recap and CWU's Food and Agribusiness Program On the March edition of Bearing Fruit, we talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the good and not-so-good from the recently completed legislative session in Olympia. We also talk with a student, Elena Tucker, and a professor, Mike Rogel, from Central Washington University about their Food and Agribusiness program where students can earn a minor or a certificate. 

]]> On the March edition of Bearing Fruit, we talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the good and not-so-good from the recently completed legislative session in Olympia. We also talk with a student, Elena Tucker, and a professor, Mike Rogel, from Central Washington University about their Food and Agribusiness program where students can earn a minor or a certificate. 

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-14790609 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 21:00:00 -0700 3348 3 2 full false Legislative Session and WAEF Scholarship Application Deadline WSTFA President Jon DeVaney talks with us about what's going on in Olympia during the current legislative session and bills we should keep an eye on. We also talk about the importance of getting involved and helping educate lawmakers about the actual needs of the tree fruit industry and agriculture in general. We also chat with Washington Apple Education Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Faviola Barbosa about the fast-approaching deadline for scholarship applications.

]]> WSTFA President Jon DeVaney talks with us about what's going on in Olympia during the current legislative session and bills we should keep an eye on. We also talk about the importance of getting involved and helping educate lawmakers about the actual needs of the tree fruit industry and agriculture in general. We also chat with Washington Apple Education Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Faviola Barbosa about the fast-approaching deadline for scholarship applications.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-14566847 Sat, 24 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0800 1754 3 1 full false WSTFA 2023 Annual Meeting and Hort Expo We're lead off, as always, with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney with his recap of what to expect at this year's annual meeting in the Tri Cities. He will be followed by David Magana, a RaboResearch executive who is giving the Key Note Address at the annual meeting's opening day. He will be followed by this year's Batjer Address speaker, David Granatstein, Professor Emeritus from WSU to give a tease of his talk on sustainability.

]]> We're lead off, as always, with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney with his recap of what to expect at this year's annual meeting in the Tri Cities. He will be followed by David Magana, a RaboResearch executive who is giving the Key Note Address at the annual meeting's opening day. He will be followed by this year's Batjer Address speaker, David Granatstein, Professor Emeritus from WSU to give a tease of his talk on sustainability.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-14020708 Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0800 2016 2 5 full false Pear Estimates - Pear Challenges - and the 2023 WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show We talk with Pear Bureau Northwest's Jim Morris about this year's crop estimates, and with Washington State Fruit Commission President BJ Thurlby about a new processing agreement and the challenges facing the industry. We also chat with Marty Olsen, chair of the upcoming WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show in December.

]]> We talk with Pear Bureau Northwest's Jim Morris about this year's crop estimates, and with Washington State Fruit Commission President BJ Thurlby about a new processing agreement and the challenges facing the industry. We also chat with Marty Olsen, chair of the upcoming WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show in December.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-13650262 Sun, 24 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0700 2910 full false Legislative Wrap Up - Upcoming Cherry Season - Little Cherry Disease On this episode of Bearing Fruit, we talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about what did and didn't happen for agriculture in the last legislative session in Olympia. We also talk with Northwest Cherry Growers President BJ Thurlby about the what he learned about the upcoming cherry crop at the 5 State Meeting in Tri Cities. Then we wrap things up with Corina Serban, Little Cherry Disease Program coordinator at the WSU Extension Office. 

]]> On this episode of Bearing Fruit, we talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about what did and didn't happen for agriculture in the last legislative session in Olympia. We also talk with Northwest Cherry Growers President BJ Thurlby about the what he learned about the upcoming cherry crop at the 5 State Meeting in Tri Cities. Then we wrap things up with Corina Serban, Little Cherry Disease Program coordinator at the WSU Extension Office. 

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-12934250 Mon, 29 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700 3169 full false Pesticide Spraying and the AgForestry Leadership Program WSTFA President Jon DeVaney kicks things off with his perspective on how things are looking for agriculture during this current legislative session in Olympia. He is followed by Hannah Poush, Leadership Development Director at the Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation. She shares her thoughts on the upcoming 45th AgForestry Leadership Program, a calls that has been building leaders in agriculture since 1978. And, to wrap things up, Scott Nielsen, Program Manager for the Pest Management Division of the Washington Department of Agriculture, joins us to share his thoughts on spraying for pests in your orchard this spring.

]]> WSTFA President Jon DeVaney kicks things off with his perspective on how things are looking for agriculture during this current legislative session in Olympia. He is followed by Hannah Poush, Leadership Development Director at the Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation. She shares her thoughts on the upcoming 45th AgForestry Leadership Program, a calls that has been building leaders in agriculture since 1978. And, to wrap things up, Scott Nielsen, Program Manager for the Pest Management Division of the Washington Department of Agriculture, joins us to share his thoughts on spraying for pests in your orchard this spring.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-12533578 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0700 3275 2 2 full false Succession Planning for your farm. Bearing Fruit is joined by Michael Cohen and Jeff DeWald, of Agribusiness Succession Advisors, and by Kelli Visser, of Larson Gross, to talk about the importance of getting your succession plan started in order to pass it down when it's time for you to step aside. 

]]> Bearing Fruit is joined by Michael Cohen and Jeff DeWald, of Agribusiness Succession Advisors, and by Kelli Visser, of Larson Gross, to talk about the importance of getting your succession plan started in order to pass it down when it's time for you to step aside. 

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-12339668 Tue, 28 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0800 3574 2 1 full false WSTFA 2022 Annual Meeting and Hort Expo With the WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show fast approaching, we talk with meeting Chairman Jared England, Batjer Address speaker Karen Lewis and WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about what to expect in Wenatchee December 5-6-7.

]]> With the WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show fast approaching, we talk with meeting Chairman Jared England, Batjer Address speaker Karen Lewis and WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about what to expect in Wenatchee December 5-6-7.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-11692122 Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0800 2268 full false Bearing Fruit: Agricultural Leadership Program August's episode of Bearing Fruit breaks down the new Agricultural Leadership Program coordinated by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and Washington State University. The ALP is a comprehensive, bilingual training program designed to enhance leadership skills of farm supervisors and managers.

]]> August's episode of Bearing Fruit breaks down the new Agricultural Leadership Program coordinated by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and Washington State University. The ALP is a comprehensive, bilingual training program designed to enhance leadership skills of farm supervisors and managers.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-11219345 Sun, 28 Aug 2022 19:00:00 -0700 1626 1 7 full false Bearing Fruit: Invasive Pests Bearing Fruit talks with Yakima County Pest Control Board and Washington Department of Agriculture's Pest Program Manager about invasive pests the state's tree fruit industry has to try and manage on a continuing basis.

]]> Bearing Fruit talks with Yakima County Pest Control Board and Washington Department of Agriculture's Pest Program Manager about invasive pests the state's tree fruit industry has to try and manage on a continuing basis.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-10917830 Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:00:00 -0700 2668 1 6 full false Bearing Fruit: NW Pear and Apple Export Challenges Jeff Correa, from Pear Bureau Northwest and Washington Apple Commission's Todd Fryhover share their thoughts on what the port slowdowns and export challenges mean to them.

]]> Jeff Correa, from Pear Bureau Northwest and Washington Apple Commission's Todd Fryhover share their thoughts on what the port slowdowns and export challenges mean to them.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-10667248 Wed, 25 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700 1679 1 5 full false Bearing Fruit: Leadership Changes at WAEF! Longtime Washington Apple Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Witherbee is retiring, and Dr. Faviola Barbosa has been selected to replace her. We speak with both about this big leadership change to find out what it's meant for Witherbee and what's Barbosa brings to the program!

]]> Longtime Washington Apple Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Witherbee is retiring, and Dr. Faviola Barbosa has been selected to replace her. We speak with both about this big leadership change to find out what it's meant for Witherbee and what's Barbosa brings to the program!

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-10460323 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0700 1685 1 4 full false Bearing Fruit: Export Challenges for Tree Fruit Industry In this edition of Bearing Fruit, we talk with experts about the challenges exporters have faced in the past couple of years getting their goods to foreign markets in a timely manner and what's being done to remedy the problems and when we might expect to get past this.

]]> In this edition of Bearing Fruit, we talk with experts about the challenges exporters have faced in the past couple of years getting their goods to foreign markets in a timely manner and what's being done to remedy the problems and when we might expect to get past this.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-10298502 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0700 2582 1 3 full false Bearing Fruit: Legislation that will impact agriculture Episode #2 of Bearing Fruit, from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, touches on legislation that will impact agriculture with WSTFA president Jon DeVaney, as well as taking a look back at 2021 and what's lies ahead with NW Cherries Growers president BJ Thurlby.

]]> Episode #2 of Bearing Fruit, from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, touches on legislation that will impact agriculture with WSTFA president Jon DeVaney, as well as taking a look back at 2021 and what's lies ahead with NW Cherries Growers president BJ Thurlby.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-9903798 Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0800 2382 1 2 full false Bearing Fruit: The Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo This first-ever episode of Bearing Fruit will focus on WSTFA's 117th Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo coming up December 6,7,8 at the Yakima Convention Center. We will talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the podcast launch. We will also talk with Jordan Matson, Chair of the organizing committee about what folks are likely to find at the Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo. We'll also talk with one of the keynote speakers, Geopolitical Strategist Peter Zeihan as well as Mike Willett who has spent more than 50 years in the Washington tree fruit industry to get a little taste of what they'll be addressing at the Annual Meeting.

]]> This first-ever episode of Bearing Fruit will focus on WSTFA's 117th Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo coming up December 6,7,8 at the Yakima Convention Center. We will talk with WSTFA President Jon DeVaney about the podcast launch. We will also talk with Jordan Matson, Chair of the organizing committee about what folks are likely to find at the Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo. We'll also talk with one of the keynote speakers, Geopolitical Strategist Peter Zeihan as well as Mike Willett who has spent more than 50 years in the Washington tree fruit industry to get a little taste of what they'll be addressing at the Annual Meeting.

]]> Bob Larson Buzzsprout-9554240 Tue, 16 Nov 2021 20:00:00 -0800 1595 1 1 full false