Celebrating a century of research and service in Winchester

We were celebrating both the 100th year anniversary of a fruit lab in Winchester and the 30th anniversary of this facility opening. There are currently six faculty labs. So we have an entomology lab, horticulture lab, grape pathology lab, apple pathology lab, and an enology lab. We produced some really important research findings and extension output that has changed the way people grow apples and grapes in the Mid Atlantic and Virginia. The mission has remained the same for 100 years. It's been to help the local growers to overcome the challenges of their industry and make their operations more profitable and benefit the community as a whole. This establishment is a wonderful establishment. I is wonderful because of the people here, and the fact that you can reach out to them. I just want to say how much this AREC is just an invaluable resource for us in the tree fruit industry here. Not only just the informational meetings and knowledge and, you know, the exchange that happens and things like that, the blogs and the e mails. I can't tell you how invaluable that is. And the personal relationships that you have with the folks here, the researchers, to be able to e mail them, call them up, talk to them, ask a question is massive. And I really think that gives us an advantage in our industry over folks that don't have this right in their backyard. The land grant mission throughout the United States is an envy of the world. We have direct interaction with the clients we serve. We get the best research ideas, the best outreach ideas from them, and we get to implement them and directly affect their livelihoods and their communities. Been here 100 years. Mid Atlantic and Virginia is still a strong grape and tree fruit producing state. Faces many challenges. Climate change is one of the largest challenges. We have insects emerging at different times and creating additional generations per year. We have invasive insects. So there's many challenges for us as scientist and the stakeholder community. We have a strong team of scientists and technicians that are eager to continue the long tradition of research and extension at the station.