Hart grower named chairman of Michigan Apple Research Sub-Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denise Yockey
(800) 456-2753
(DeWitt, Mich.) – Tim Tubbs of Hart is the new chairman of the Michigan Apple Research Sub-Committee, a group charged with overseeing and approving annual research projects that provide valuable information to apple growers across the state.
A lifelong farmer, Tubbs owns and manages Tubbs Orchard in Hart with his father, Fred, founder of the orchard. Their 800 acres consist of apples, cherry and peach trees, and asparagus. Tubbs has served on the apple research sub-committee since 2002.
“I look forward to serving as chair of this fine group of growers,” said Tubbs. “They are really expanding their thinking and focusing on the future of the industry and what our apple growers need to succeed and thrive here in Michigan.”
Over the past several years, research projects have had a heavy emphasis on pest control. Tubbs said the sub-committee is looking to explore new types of research possibilities including packaging and marketing.
“Being on the research committee, you get to see and hear a lot of really informative knowledge that is beneficial to everything we do,” said Tubbs. “Some of these researchers have become absolutely invaluable to the industry as a whole.”
Tubbs is married to his wife Susie and the father of five children, ages 4 to 21. He is also a member of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA), which represents the apple processing industry, and the Michigan Asparagus Research Committee. Tubbs takes over the helm of the research group from Dr. Paul Rood of Covert.
According to the Michigan Apple Committee, apples are Michigan's most valuable fruit crop, with a value of about $100-million annually to the apple grower. There are more than 7 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 37,500 acres on 950 family-run farms throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula – making apples the largest fruit crop grown in Michigan.