UPDATE: January 27 at 11:10 p.m.
Rep. Gloria Mendoza (R-Grandview) testified in Olympia before the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee Tuesday, advocating for a new Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University.
“Washington is the leading apple-producing state in the nation, accounting for more than 60% of U.S. apple production,” said Mendoza. “Apples are not only just an industry for our state, but they are also part of our identity, our history, and, and our rural communities.”
Mike Burgess from the Washington State Tree Fruit Association also supported the bill, emphasizing the importance of preserving apple varieties for future research. “Maintaining the bank of these heirloom trees is important for access to have these varieties available for future research,” he said.
Mendoza shared her personal connection to the legislation, saying, “I grew up working in agriculture in the Yakima Valley. I understand the pride small farms take in the land they steward and the history they protect.”
The committee is expected to consider the bill for a vote at a later date.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Lawmakers in Olympia are evaluating a new initiative to preserve rare and historic apple varieties still found on small family farms.
House Bill 2525 led by Representative Gloria Mendoza (R-Grandview) aims to establish a Heritage Orchard Program in collaboration with Washington State University (WSU).
The program would maintain a registry of heritage orchards and provide resources to preserve trees meeting specific age and rarity criteria.
Mendoza highlighted the significance of these apples, saying, “And now they’re finding out that there are some small family farms that still hold some of these apples that were known to be extinct.”
The program could also lead to the discovery of apple varieties unfamiliar to most locals.
“Imagine, discovering an apple that we had not tasted, that we can now say, wow, this is a small farm in our state,” Mendoza said in a report by Washington State House Republicans.
The bill is set to be considered by the Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce on January 27, 2026.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: January 25 at 4:20 p.m.
