Scott McDougall of McDougall & Sons, a co-owner of CMI, has been named U.S. Apple Grower of the Year for 2016 by American Fruit Grower magazine.
Each year the magazine recognizes a U.S. grower that exemplifies progressive leadership in the fruit industry. According to the magazine, McDougall was selected for 2016 based on his families “bold approach” to investing in developing high flavor, new variety apples.
Scott and his brother Stuart are the owners of McDougall & Sons, an apple, pear and cherry growing and packing company that formed over 40 years ago with their late father, Bob McDougall. Today the company is internationally recognized for leadership in developing the AmbrosiaTM apple in the United States as well as being early adopters chosen by Enza to plant JazzTM, EnvyTM and Pacific RoseTM. With over 4,000 acres of conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries McDougall & Sons provides packing and storage services for approximately 100 local growers.
According to Bob Mast, President of CMI, Scott McDougall is unquestionably deserving of the title, Apple Grower of the Year. “Scott and his brother Stuart had a clear vision that American consumers were hungry for new varieties of great tasting apples,” said Mast. “They staked the future of the success of their orchard operations on finding the most progressive direction to take for future plantings and it’s been a huge success for them as well as the entire CMI organization. We couldn’t be happier for Scott and the entire McDougall family.”
Mast cites supermarket scan data showing AmbrosiaTM jumping to become the ninth best-selling apple variety in the United States as “an incredible accomplishment.” He added, “Ambrosia has become a best-seller in the U.S., largely because of the vision of Scott and Stuart
McDougall as well as their expertise in the orchard and warehouse.”
Scott will be formally presented with the Apple Grower of the Year award later this month at the U.S. Apple Association annual outlook conference in Chicago.
Take a tour of an AmbrosiaTM orchard – Click here
For more information:
Katharine Grove
Tel: 509-888-3427 or 509-885-0444