Outreach Meetings to Help Grow Northwest Cider Industry

The Northwest Cider Association (NWCA) is seeking orchardists to grow heirloom apple varieties. With the help of an Oregon Department of Agriculture specialty crop block grant, the NWCA has planned two public outreach meetings in Oregon on Tuesday, March 22 and Wednesday, March 23 to connect orchardists and cidermakers.

“In order for the industry to thrive and truly create a cider culture here in the Northwest, we desperately need to grow more heirloom apple varieties,” said Sherrye Wyatt, executive director of the NWCA. “The Northwest cider industry is here to stay. We are now reaching out to current and potential orchardists, as well as to nurseries to make sure this industry can thrive with an abundance of bitter sweet and bitter sharp fruit.”

NWCA members and industry experts to facilitate the discussions include: Nick Gunn of Wandering Aengus Cider in Salem, Ore.; Marcus Robert of Tieton Cider Works in Tieton, Wash.; Dave Takush of 2 Towns Cider in Corvallis, Ore.; Galen Williams of Bull Run Cider in Forest Grove, Ore., Elaine Albrich, attorney at Stoel Rives LLP in Portland, Ore., and Emily Ritchie, Portland-based program manager with the NWCA.

The outreach round tables are complimentary, open to the public, and begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. An orchard tour proceeds each, beginning at 3 pm. Both events conclude with a cider tasting. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, March 22 at Kiyokawa Family Orchards, 8129 Clear Creek Road, Mt Hood, 4-6 p.m. The second meeting takes place Wednesday, March 23rd at 2 Towns Cider House, 33930 SE Eastgate Circle, in Corvallis. To attend RSVP by Friday, March 18th to sherrye@nwcider.com. The round tables have been organized with the support of the Gorge Cider Society and Friends of Family Farmers. “We are all in this together,” Wyatt added.

About Northwest Cider Association

Founded in 2010, the Northwest Cider Association (NWCA) brings cideries and cider lovers together to learn, experience and enjoy the Northwest cider culture. Representing more than 70 commercial cidermakers from throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, the group is dedicated to supporting, promoting and growing this thriving industry. NWCA hosts cider-themed events, including Cider Rite of Spring, Summer Cider Day, and Cider Weeks in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. For more information about the Northwest Cider Association, visitwww.nwcider.com, or follow the growing organization on Facebook and Twitter (@nwcider).