The Peshastin Creek Project was created as a joint effort between the Peshastin Creek Growers Association and the Pear Entomology Lab of WSU-TFREC. Our research lab provides a monitoring service for the growers in the valley, to support their efforts toward increased use of environmentally-friendly pest management. Bluebird Fruit has created a special "Gently Grown" label for the fruit produced by the PCG Association.

PCG Mission Statement
As a group of growers we strive to enhance environmental quality in a cooperative areawide program of tree fruit production. We will do this using environmentally-friendly pest management practices that will improve water and soil quality, improve worker safety, and reduce pesticide inputs.

Overall Objective
Establish an areawide insect pest management program based on the use of organic insect control tactics.

Specific Objectives
-- Replace broad-spectrum insecticides with safer, 'softer', and more environmentally-friendly insecticides
-- Decrease pesticide use
-- Take proactive steps to protect or enhance the Peshastin Creek water shed
-- Increase the use of sustainable pest management practices
-- Increase biological control of insects
-- Improve water quality through reduced use of broad-spectrum insecticides
-- Improve soil quality through reduced use of broad-spectrum insecticides
-- Improve worker safety by using only Category 4 insecticides (very low toxicity to mammals)
-- Increase communication and pest management information within the region
-- Maintain profitable fruit production
-- Produce quality fruit

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Key Features
-- 12 family-owned orchards
-- approximately 300 acres of pears (ann prod: 210,000 boxes)
-- located in an 8-mile long valley
-- contiguous orchards, surrounded by native woodland
-- bisected by Peshastin Creek

Participants
Barajas, Pedro, 6250 Old Blewett Hwy, Peshastin, WA 98847
Folden, Jon, PO Box 24, Peshastin, WA 98847 kallepear@aol.com
Keizer, Joe, 6706 Old Blewett Hwy, Peshastin, WA 98847 joekeizer@msn.com
Keizer, Elizabeth, 6673 Highway 97, Peshastin, WA 98847
Koempel, Jim & Josh, 8153 Hall Road, Cashmere, WA 98815 joshkoemel@hotmail.com
Kraus, Jeff, P.O. Box 378, Peshastin, WA, 98847 jeffk@bluebirdpears.com
Miller, Rich, 7396 St. Hwy 97 Peshastin, WA 98847 richmiller007@hotmail.com
Nicholson, Dennis, PO Box 55, Peshastin, WA 98847 nichorch@rightathome.com
Shemorry, Gary & Debbie, 5865 Mtn Ln, Peshastin, WA 98847 shemorry@wenval.com
Smithson, Dick, PO Box 441, Peshastin, WA 98847 smiranch@nwi.net
Warman, Tom, PO Box 265, Peshastin, WA 98826

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Advisors
John E. Dunley, PhD., Washington State University
WSU-TFREC, 1100 N Western, Wenatchee 98801
dunleyj@wsu.edu

Mike Pflugrath, Wilbur-Ellis Co., Peshastin
Box 672 Peshastin, WA 98847
mpflugr@wecon.com

Jon Folden, Bluebird Fruit

Bob Gix, Blue Star Packers

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