Architect's illustration showing an overhead view of a red and white research building with attached greenhouses, trees, and landscaping. A row of overhead windows tops the roof.
CAHNRS News > Newsletters > 2026 Confluence – Fall Edition > Nursery institute’s gift will shape a state-of-the-art future for tree fruit research

Nursery institute’s gift will shape a state-of-the-art future for tree fruit research

Bill Howell, pictured standing in an orchard in full bloom.
Bill Howell, a WSU alumnus, retired virologist, and current manager of the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute, is pictured in his blooming cider apple orchard. A greenhouse wing at WSU’s new Plant Growth Facility will be named for Howell in recognition of his and the institute’s support for research.

Northwest nursery operators try to see the future without a crystal ball.

“You have to think two years ahead on what people will want to grow,” said Bill Howell, manager at the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute (NNII), a nonprofit organization of regional nurseries. “Sometimes, you get it right.”

Howell, a retired Washington State University virologist, helps businesses provide high-quality,certified virus-tested trees and rootstocks to orchards nationwide. Institute members deliver most of the nation’s apple and pear trees, and much of its cherry tree stock.

Preparing for the future is at the heart of the institute’s support for the new Plant Growth Facility at WSU’s Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. Member nurseries  pledged $600,000 to support the construction of this modern facility, which will produce vital, forward-thinking research.

It’s the largest individual private gift to the project, which is backed by a $10 million allocation from the Washington State Legislature’s 2025–27 capital budget and $1.7 million in industry and family donations.

Architect's illustration of the interior of a potting room in a research facility, with shelves, worktables, faucets, and plants; human silhouettes work in the space.
An architect’s render of a potting room workspace serving greenhouse experiments at the new Plant Growth Facility (Flad Architects).

“Over the decades, WSU research has done so many good things for the industry,” Howell said.

The university has released valuable new fruit selections, shared solutions for pests, diseases, and environmental hurdles, and tested improved methods for growing and protecting trees and harvests.

A decade ago, institute members made possible one of the most significant new variety releases ever: the Cosmic Crisp® apple.

“Sticks with around 10 buds each were given to all nursery members,” Howell said. “The nurseries had to increase that to millions of trees over the shortest time possible. That they accomplished this is part of the Cosmic Crisp® success story for WSU and the nurseries.”

A 1971 WSU alumnus who studied plant pathology, Howell worked at WSU from 1973 to 2011. Starting under renowned virologist Gaylord Mink, he worked in crops like carrots and sugar beets before focusing on tree fruit.

“I was very interested in making sure no nasty viruses were sent to the grower along with their trees,” he said.

Howell’s work laid the foundation for today’s Clean Plant Center Northwest, which tests, quarantines, and provides therapy to ensure growers start with healthy materials. Therapy involves growing an infected plant at a high temperature to stimulate emergence of a special virus-free tissue.

After WSU, he managed the institute and worked for the betterment of the nursery industry. He also  bred new red-fleshed apples like LucyTM Glo on his home orchard near Prosser.

Howell recruited industry members in support of infrastructure like the new plant growth facility, which will keep WSU research ahead of nursery and grower needs.

“We saw no reason why we shouldn’t get involved,” he said. “It will be wonderful to bring the facility up to date for the work that scientists like Dr. Kate Evans and others are doing.” 

“I really must thank the members for their support,” Howell added. “They were all in.”

 Howell will be recognized for his 53-plus years of support for Northwest growers and nurseries through the naming of one of the greenhouse wings at the new facility, which is expected to open in mid-2027.

Howell has used his knowledge and expertise to guide the Northwest tree fruit industry, said institute member Kevin Brandt, vice president of Proprietary Variety Management, a Yakima, Washington-based fruit commercialization company.

Brandt supports the naming of the greenhouse for Howell. “Bill has been a leader in the industry both at the Clean Plant Center Northwest and at NNII,” he said.

“He has assisted in the distribution of clean plant material worldwide, and helped establish the Washington State Tree Fruit Certification program, which allowed the state’s industry to prosper through the propagation and cultivation of clean, virus-free plant material.”

Everyone knows the important role that growers play in making Washington the top apple- and pear-producing state, Howell said.

“It also takes nurseries, businesses that supply things like equipment, chemicals, and irrigation, and expertise from WSU,” he added. “It’s a team effort.”