The Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation (WWFRF), now known as NW Fruit, was created in 1991 to help fund Tree Fruit Varietal Research conducted at the Washington State University Research and Extension Center (NWREC) located in Mount Vernon, WA. We are dedicated to supporting research and educating the public about the special fruit growing concerns of our Pacific Northwest region.
This research program has consisted of the selection and cultivation of tree fruit generally found in temperate zone orchards: apples, pears, Asian pears, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. The research also covers some fruiting shrubs and less common tree fruits such as currants, gooseberries, aronia, sea buckthorn (also known as seaberry), kiwis, figs, quinces, persimmons, pawpaws, and berries that have potential as alternative fruit crops.
NW Fruit volunteers have designed and constructed a 6-acre Fruit Garden at the WSU Center that is open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dusk. The purpose of the Garden is to provide educational opportunities to the public through hands-on viewing, exhibits and gardening experiences. At our Winter Field Day on the first Saturday in March and at other workshops at various dates each year we demonstrate techniques in pruning, grafting, espalier, and pest and disease control in the Fruit Garden.
Whether you are choosing two or three fruit tree varieties for a small urban backyard or have a larger orchard for family or even farmers-market production, we have the information you are looking for on variety selection and fruit culture here in the Pacific Northwest.
Please join our foundation to help continue this vital research and educational program.
