Seattle Tree Fruit Society (STFS) is a chapter of Western Cascade Fruit Society (WFCS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (UBI# 601007020). WCFS was founded in 1980 & is made up of nine Western Washington chapters full of helpful hobby orchardists & backyard fruit growers.
STFS members receive automatic membership in WCFS. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, WCFS regularly published a quarterly BeeLine electronic newsletter. WCFS provides other member services, including an online member forum, event calendar & internet platform.
Current STFS bylaws are available in USP 39 01 2021 Jan p 16-22. The purposes of STFS are listed in Article II: STFS will bring together people …
1) to promote & stimulate interest in growing fruit bearing trees, shrubs & vines in urban areas,
2) to encourage propagation of desirable fruit varieties suited to the local climate,
3) to disseminate pertinent horticultural information to its members & the general public through the use of fruit shows, orchard tours, meetings, seminars, workshops, publications & other media,
4) to provide financial & other support to our area’s fruit research and/or projects, &
5) to join with other organizations in promoting tree fruit in the Western Cascade region.
STFS members share an interest in growing fruit & nut trees, berries, kiwis, grapes & other fruit. We offer information on adapted varieties, current growing techniques & share our own experiences growing fruit.
STFS members meet monthly from Sept to May either online or in-person on a Saturday morning. Meetings typically include speakers presenting on topics such as grafting, pruning, pest control, plant health & fruit preservation tailored to Western Washington growers.
STFS Newsletter – Urban Scion Post (USP)
STFS members receive The Urban Scion Post, our monthly newsletter, featuring a wide variety of useful articles about fruit and announcing upcoming events.
STFS is online at:
Website www.seattletreefruitsociety.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/SeattleTreeFruitSociety/
Email seattletreefruitsociety@gmail.com
The STFS membership is Seattle Tree Fruit Society. The goals of STFS are achieved by STFS members. Please contact STFS representatives listed in this newsletter and communicate what STFS can do for you and what you can do for STFS. When more STFS members get involved, STFS does more & attracts more STFS members who get involved.
Join STFS – Membership Form Here
Current STFS Officers
PRESIDENT Mike Ewanciw 206.683.9665 (2-year term expires Jan 2025)
VICE PRES. Vacant—please volunteer (2-year term expires Jan 20??)
SECRETARY Vacant—please volunteer (2-year term expires Jan 20??)
TREASURER Trent Elwing 206.517.3118 (2-year term expires Jan 2025)
STFS DIRECTORS
#1 – Sandy Bowman (3-year term expires Jan 2027)
#2 – Lynne Shandley & Nathan Hurst 206.409.3259 (3-year term expires Jan 2027)
#3 – Ed Scullywest 425.286.4030 (3-year term expires Jan 2027)
#4 – Melinda McBride 206.303.9366 (3-year term expires Jan 2026)
#5 – Janet & John Roach (3-year term expires Jan 2025)
#6 – Ia Dubois 206.225.4087 (3-year term expires Jan 2026)
#7 – Danielle Butz 206.243.3502 (3-year term expires Jan 2027)
MEMBERSHIP & USP NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Trent Elwing trelwing@gmail.com
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Orchard – Vacant—please volunteer
Events – Vacant—please volunteer
Programs – Vacant—please volunteer
HISTORY OF WCFS/STFS by Jack Pedigo
Around 1964 Dr. Bob Norton started a tree fruit research program at Washington State University. The purpose was to bring about a revival of growing tree fruit in western Washington. The research center is located in Mt. Vernon. The idea of forming an organization centered on tree fruit and based in this part of the state was conceived at a field day at Wax Orchard (Vashon Island) in March of 1979. Organization was first known as Western Cascade Tree Fruit Society (WCTFS) and the first meeting was March 1980. The stated purpose of WCFTA was to bring together people, professional and amateur, who are interested in all phases of tree fruit culture, processing and marketing. It was also to disseminate information to the general public and to provide certain services to its members. The first newsletter was dated fall of 1980. In April, 1981 articles of incorporation were submitted to the Dept. of State. Ralph Monroe, Secretary of the State of Washington signed the articles and affixed the seal to them in June, 1981. The first recorded president was Walter Lyons of Bothell. He served from April, 1981 to May, 1982. Bylaws were written and approved in April, 1983. The name underwent a change because it was felt the original name was too limiting especially in regards to “tree fruit”. In 1980 the name was changed to Western Cascade Fruit Society (WCFS).
Over time groups from different parts of Western Washington decided to form chapters of WCFS. One of the earliest chapters was the North Olympic Fruit Club which was started in 1982. Subsequent chapters sprang the largest of these being the Seattle Tree Fruit Society. STFS got its start in the spring of 1985. In 1989 the board of WCFS applied for and obtained nonprofit status for the group which included all the chapters.
In 1984 Emory Leland decided to get interested people to form a group in Seattle. He asked Marlene Falkenbury to host the first meeting at her house. It turned out some 50 people attended. Emory served as the first president. He served until the spring of 1985 at which time Marlene took over the role. She was the president until 2004! David Conners was the next president and served until 2008. Leonard Fuller was president 2008 to April 2009. More recent STFS presidents have included Lorine Brakken and Paul Mallary with Mike Ewanciw currently serving in this position.