Tree fruit science seminars scheduled

WENATCHEE — Growers and others in the tree fruit industry can learn about new practices and new research in a series of seminars in February, March and April. The “Science in Our Valley” seminars are held at the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee.

Each seminar is at 4 p.m. Admission to all seminars is free.

The series is sponsored by the Apple STEM Network, a group of north central Washington schools, colleges and community partners working to promote STEM careers.

The first seminar is scheduled for Feb. 1; WSU graduate student Thiago de Botton Campbell will talk about new research in using apple tree hedging as an alternative to hand pruning.

Aina Baro Sabe, postdoctoral research associate, will talk about antimicrobial peptides and their potential for controlling plant disease Feb. 8. Tara Barrett, research scientist with the U.S. Forest Service, will discuss shifts in tree species habitat Feb. 15.

Anthropology professor Amy Snively-Martinez will detail some of her findings on family poultry raising in Guatemala Feb. 22. The March 1 seminar will focus on pests and diseases affecting grapevines in northern California. The speaker is Dylan Beal, WSU entomologist.

Tree fruit and a changing climate will be the subject of a presentation by Lee Kalsits, WSU associate professor, March 8. Jessica Waite, post-doctoral research assistant, will talk about pear rootstocks April 12. The series wraps up April 19 with a presentation on global supply chains and their impact on efforts to develop hydrogen as a fuel alternative. Aaron Fearver, executive director of the Joint Center for Development and Research of Earth-Abundant Minerals, is the speaker.