Last week we wrapped up our GSL Continuing Education Events for the winter. This year we hosted 14 different events over 18 days. These events included our Annual Grower's Meetings, Soil Health & Fertility Workshops, WSDA Pesticide Pre-license Trainings, Leadership Skills Courses, Worker Protection Standard Training Events, Agricultural Labor Law Courses and we wrapped up with the opportunity to host the Agricultural Leadership Program Conference here in Yakima. In total we hosted near 4,000 Growers this winter, and in addition to all of the great content provided, these events also represented close to 110 hours of training focused specifically on pesticide safety. We were also pleased to be able to provide the newly required EPA Federal Pesticide Certification & Training Course at both our Yakima & Wenatchee Grower's Meetings. 

 

Meeting regulatory & third-party verification program requirements, developing individual and professional leadership skills, supporting human resources, learning about new products, principles and techniques, and just coming together to share experiences - what better ways to help protect and strengthen this great industry! 

 

We are very proud to be able to offer these types of events to the agricultural community that we serve here in Central Washington and Oregon, and we couldn't do it without the many great industry partnerships we have.

A special thank you goes out to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA), Worker & Farmer Labor Association (WAFLA), Washington State University (WSU) and the Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP). Many thanks as well goes to all of our GSL Continuing Education Sponsors, all of the presenters who took time out of their busy schedules to participate in these programs and of course everyone who attended these events. 

 

As the calendar now turns towards spring, our focus too shifts to actual farming activities. On behalf of all of us at G.S. Long Company, best wishes for a happy & healthy 2026 growing season - see you in the field!