Radio Report: Rep. Mendoza testifies on bill to preserve Washington’s historic apples

January 28, 2026

Washington’s apple-growing legacy could soon be preserved in a new way. A bill moving through the Legislature would protect rare and historic apple varieties still found on small farms across the state. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: A bill aimed at preserving Washington’s rare and historic apple trees was heard Tuesday in the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.

House Bill 2525, sponsored by Representative Gloria Mendoza of Grandview, would create a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University to register and preserve rare and historic apple trees.

MENDOZA: “In the early 1900s, there were estimated to be 20,000 known apple varieties worldwide. Over time, many were believed to be extinct. What we are now discovering, however, is that some of those lost varieties were never truly gone.”

SATTGAST: Mike Burgess, representing the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, emphasized the importance of these trees for research.

BURGESS: “Maintaining the bank of these heirloom trees is important for the access to have these varieties available for future research.”

SATTGAST: The bill has bipartisan support and could be scheduled soon for a committee vote.
John Sattgast, the state Capitol.