The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation Thursday sponsored by Rep. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, to help preserve rare and historic apple varieties grown across the state.
House Bill 2525 passed on a 94-0 vote and would create a heritage apple orchard registry program administered through Washington State University. The registry would help identify, catalog, and preserve apple varieties that have become rare or are at risk of disappearing as commercial production has focused on fewer, high-demand varieties.
Washington produces more than 60 percent of the nation’s apples, making orchard preservation an important part of the state’s agricultural heritage, Mendoza said during floor debate.
“This bill is a tribute to the apple industry and to the families whose livelihoods depend on it,” said Mendoza. “Agriculture feeds many families in the 14th District, including my own.”
Mendoza shared memories of working in orchards as a young woman alongside her family, including friendly competitions with her sister to see who could pick apples the fastest. Those personal experiences, she said, helped inspire the legislation.
“In the early 1900s, thousands of apple varieties were known around the world, but many disappeared as commercial production narrowed,” Mendoza said. “We’re now discovering some of those varieties still exist on small farms in Washington. This program helps us preserve those rare apples and is an important part of our state’s history.”
Supporters said the registry would also help future orchard innovation by ensuring genetic diversity remains available as consumer tastes and growing conditions change.
House members also congratulated Mendoza on passing her first bill as a freshman state representative.
The measure was sent to the Senate for further consideration.
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