PULLMAN, Wash. – With an eye toward bolstering the long-term success of many of its customers, Northwest Farm Credit Services has invested $500,000 in Washington State University’s wine and tree fruit research and education programs.
Over the next five years, half of the donation will go to WSU’s Wine Research Center at the Tri Cities. The other half will help to fund two new field laboratories at WSU’s new Sunrise Research Orchard outside of Wenatchee. The gift currently is the lead gift supporting the tree fruit campaign, which is a major component of The Campaign for Washington State University: Because the World Needs Big Ideas that was launched Dec. 2.
Phil DiPofi, president and CEO, said Northwest FCS is “pleased to partner with WSU as well as with the tree fruit and wine industries in this capital campaign. The amount of money being raised within the industry is impressive, and we are proud to participate.”
Dan Bernardo, dean of the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, said the college appreciates the generous investment. “As a primary provider of financial support services for farmers throughout the region, Northwest Farm Credit Services sees firsthand the challenges their customers face and the competitive advantage that science-based information can provide,” he said. “This donation will help strengthen already strong programs in tree fruit and wine.”
Northwest FCS provides financing, related services and crop insurance to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, and rural homeowners in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. For more information, go to www.farm-credit.com.
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