Legislation sponsored by Rep. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, to preserve Washington’s rare and historic apple varieties unanimously passed the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee today (Tuesday) on a 17-0 vote.
With Mendoza’s leadership, the committee approved substitute language for House Bill 2525, which would establish a Heritage Orchard Registry Program at Washington State University to identify and register heritage orchards across the state and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties.
Under the substitute bill, WSU would establish the program, maintain a statewide registry of heritage orchards, and develop and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties. A heritage orchard is defined as an orchard with at least five apple trees more than 74 years old, or one containing at least a single tree of a rare or lost apple variety. The substitute also directs WSU to adopt rules to implement the program.
Mendoza urged the committee to support the measure, emphasizing agriculture’s central role in communities across central Washington.
“Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state’s rural economy,” Mendoza told committee members. “In counties like Yakima, Chelan, Okanogan, and throughout my entire District 14, including Klickitat, Benton, and Franklin counties, agriculture is not just an industry. It is our heritage.”
She also highlighted the importance of preserving the state’s apple history for future generations.
“Specifically, apples hold a special place in that heritage,” Mendoza said. “Washington produces approximately 60 percent of the apples in the United States, and this is no small achievement. We should share this excitement with our youth and document the history of apples in Washington state for future generations.”
Washington is the nation’s leading apple-producing state, yet many historic varieties once grown across the region are no longer commercially cultivated and risk being lost as older orchards disappear.
“With today’s unanimous vote, we’re one step closer to protecting an important piece of Washington’s agricultural story,” Mendoza said. “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to move this bill through the Legislature.”
The bill is now expected to be referred to the House Appropriations Committee for funding.
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