In The Bin EP 7, Darin Palmer, Pear Grower

The Wenatchee Valley is home to the best pears in the world, and also some of the most scenic land in the Pacific Northwest. In this episode of In The Bin, Tyler sits down with Darin Palmer of Blue Bird, to discuss the unique challenges that come with growing pears in such a beautiful region. Darin and his neighbors face constant pressure from the climate to pests, real estate agents, bears, and plenty more. As a 4th generation grower, Darin is doing everything he can to ensure his kids have the same opportunity to work the land for years to come.

00:00 Open Darin Palmer: How's it been being on Blue Bird’s board? 02:27 How did you transition from construction management into orchard management? 08:07 Have you replanted any orchards? 10:53 How are you implementing Integrated Pest Management “IPM” in different orchards? 21:12 What are the challenges of farming on a hillside in the Leavenworth area? 25:02 How do you deal with the incentives to sell in the Leavenworth area? 33:24 Blue Bird had it's 100th anniversary. 39:32 What is the Wenatchee Valley Family Farms Group? 48:02 The president of Blue Bird told me that you saved the water in his community. 50:38 Would new pear varieties help drive consumption? 59:35 What do you think about the Steven’s Pass acquisition?