NORTHWEST SEED ORCHARD MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
The Northwest Seed Orchard Managers Association (NWSOMA) was founded in 1980 by a small group of orchardists who perceived a common need for a regional organization to:
- Provide a forum for informational exchange among orchard managers
- Identify research needs and set priorities for orchard research
- Function as a clearinghouse for specific problems
- Represent orchard managers in organized efforts aimed at specific problems of chemical registration and equipment development.
Since then, this “grassroots” organization has steadily grown in size and influence, reflecting the importance of forest seed orchard programs in the Pacific Northwest. The members represent public and privately owned seed production facilities as well as organizations that provide guidance and technical support. NWSOMA provides a setting for orchardists to share mutual experience and learn from entomologists and other technical specialists. It also enables orchardists to share perspectives with forest geneticists, who provide the ultimate guidance for seed production, forest gene conservation, and research and development efforts.
NWSOMA is a non-profit organization that operates solely through the volunteer efforts of its members and elected officers. As such, it remains a grassroots organization. Meetings are held in annually, in a format allowing indoor presentations, field tours, and networking opportunities.
Current NWSOMA officers for 2009 are:
Chairman: Jeff DeBell – Washington DNR
Vice-Chairman: Don Wright – Oregon Department of Forestry
Secretary/Treasurer: Dawn Sleight – Oregon Department of ForestryThere are no formal requirements for NWSOMA membership (no dues are assessed); participation in meetings generally connotes member status.