Jim Hazen to leave Washington hort association
Jim Hazen to leave Washington hort association
Jim Hazen, executive director of the Washington State Horticultural Association, said he will be leaving the organization at the end of April. Mr. Hazen tendered his resignation after accepting a position as business manager for Broetje Orchards in Prescott, WA.
Mr. Hazen, who served at the association's helm for the past 10 years, said that industry reaction to the news came quickly. "Most people were kind of surprised [to learn of my resignation]," Mr. Hazen told The Produce News.
Before becoming involved with the Washington State Horticultural Association, Mr. Hazen worked at the Washington state Senate in Olympia as a policy analyst and communications professional. "That kind of work was really invaluable," he said of the strong foundation it laid for his responsibilities at the horticultural association. When the association created a government affairs program, Mr. Hazen said it was his wife who encouraged him to apply for the position.
Nine months after he was hired to head the government affairs program, the executive director position became available. The move was a logical one for both the organization and Mr. Hazen. "It's been a very enjoyable experience," he stated of his tenure.
According to Mr. Hazen, the association has worked long and hard to meet industry needs. "The state has a very productive agricultural industry," he said. "Is our work in creating effective government affairs happening?"
For him, the answer is yes. Mr. Hazen said that the challenge to convey the interests and concerns of the tree fruit industry is especially important because so much of the state's political climate is determined by what happens in Seattle. "Our state's power base is far removed from agriculture," he stated.
Through years of diligent effort, Mr. Hazen said that the voice of agriculture is being heard. As an example, he said that there is a growing awareness about the importance of expanded water storage. He said that legislators have gained a better understanding of the problems faced by agricultural producers who have gone through tumultuous times when drought strikes.
"It's still a work in progress," he said of the process to create new water storage projects, but indicated that feasibility studies have been funded to bring additional storage capacity online.
Similarly, Mr. Hazen said, the state of Washington has stepped up to the plate to fund its Pest Management Transition Program. The Environmental Protection Agency is phasing out the use of certain chemicals for agricultural producers, and the state of Washington is working to help with the transition to more environmentally friendly chemicals.
"The conservation part of our industry is very important," Mr. Hazen observed. A stakeholders group has formed, and local presentations are being made to help with the transition.
The 104-year-old Washington State Horticultural Association continues to build upon a strong framework for its annual meetings, which have a 75-year history. "We continue to try to outdo ourselves every year," he said of the meetings. "We really try to push the envelope in everything."
To illustrate his point, he said that Washington tree fruit growers first heard about the concepts of food miles and carbon footprints from a speaker who provided a futuristic perspective about trends he felt were coming. Six months later, the terms became common jargon, not only in the industry but also for the public at large, Mr. Hazen said.
In addition to the success of the annual meeting, Mr. Hazen said that the introduction of "HORT Headlines" has kept pace with the cutting edge of the electronic times. "We certainly took advantage of the technology early on," he noted. "That e-mail update has generated more positive comments."
When asked about the high points of his work with the association, he responded, "I just want to thank the board of directors. I think I was fortunate to work for the best board in the free fruit industry."
Although the decision to leave the horticultural association was bittersweet, Mr. Hazen is looking forward to his new responsibilities with Broetje Orchards. "I wanted to stay in the industry," he said of his decision to work in the private sector. "It's a good opportunity." Mr. Hazen will assume his new responsibilities effective May 1, and his family will be moving to the Tri-Cities area soon.
As for the association he will leave behind, Mr. Hazen said, "The organization is in great shape. It's going to be a good opportunity for the new executive director."
The WSHA executive committee is talking to current and past board members as well as industry representatives to look at the association's strengths and weaknesses. Mr. Hazen expected the position to be posted the week of April 7 and filled during May.
Asked what he will miss the most about the association, Mr. Hazen replied quickly: "The interaction with the entire industry." He said it has been a pleasure to work with the full breadth of growers, small to large, and gain insights into the industry's diversity.
Lynette Smith, who handles communications for the association, sang Mr. Hazen's praises. "We're sad; we're happy," she noted. "He's been the best boss I've ever worked for. He always had our back. That's a rare quality. We're incredibly loyal to him. He will be missed. But we're happy for him."
Mr. Hazen, who served at the association's helm for the past 10 years, said that industry reaction to the news came quickly. "Most people were kind of surprised [to learn of my resignation]," Mr. Hazen told The Produce News.
Before becoming involved with the Washington State Horticultural Association, Mr. Hazen worked at the Washington state Senate in Olympia as a policy analyst and communications professional. "That kind of work was really invaluable," he said of the strong foundation it laid for his responsibilities at the horticultural association. When the association created a government affairs program, Mr. Hazen said it was his wife who encouraged him to apply for the position.
Nine months after he was hired to head the government affairs program, the executive director position became available. The move was a logical one for both the organization and Mr. Hazen. "It's been a very enjoyable experience," he stated of his tenure.
According to Mr. Hazen, the association has worked long and hard to meet industry needs. "The state has a very productive agricultural industry," he said. "Is our work in creating effective government affairs happening?"
For him, the answer is yes. Mr. Hazen said that the challenge to convey the interests and concerns of the tree fruit industry is especially important because so much of the state's political climate is determined by what happens in Seattle. "Our state's power base is far removed from agriculture," he stated.
Through years of diligent effort, Mr. Hazen said that the voice of agriculture is being heard. As an example, he said that there is a growing awareness about the importance of expanded water storage. He said that legislators have gained a better understanding of the problems faced by agricultural producers who have gone through tumultuous times when drought strikes.
"It's still a work in progress," he said of the process to create new water storage projects, but indicated that feasibility studies have been funded to bring additional storage capacity online.
Similarly, Mr. Hazen said, the state of Washington has stepped up to the plate to fund its Pest Management Transition Program. The Environmental Protection Agency is phasing out the use of certain chemicals for agricultural producers, and the state of Washington is working to help with the transition to more environmentally friendly chemicals.
"The conservation part of our industry is very important," Mr. Hazen observed. A stakeholders group has formed, and local presentations are being made to help with the transition.
The 104-year-old Washington State Horticultural Association continues to build upon a strong framework for its annual meetings, which have a 75-year history. "We continue to try to outdo ourselves every year," he said of the meetings. "We really try to push the envelope in everything."
To illustrate his point, he said that Washington tree fruit growers first heard about the concepts of food miles and carbon footprints from a speaker who provided a futuristic perspective about trends he felt were coming. Six months later, the terms became common jargon, not only in the industry but also for the public at large, Mr. Hazen said.
In addition to the success of the annual meeting, Mr. Hazen said that the introduction of "HORT Headlines" has kept pace with the cutting edge of the electronic times. "We certainly took advantage of the technology early on," he noted. "That e-mail update has generated more positive comments."
When asked about the high points of his work with the association, he responded, "I just want to thank the board of directors. I think I was fortunate to work for the best board in the free fruit industry."
Although the decision to leave the horticultural association was bittersweet, Mr. Hazen is looking forward to his new responsibilities with Broetje Orchards. "I wanted to stay in the industry," he said of his decision to work in the private sector. "It's a good opportunity." Mr. Hazen will assume his new responsibilities effective May 1, and his family will be moving to the Tri-Cities area soon.
As for the association he will leave behind, Mr. Hazen said, "The organization is in great shape. It's going to be a good opportunity for the new executive director."
The WSHA executive committee is talking to current and past board members as well as industry representatives to look at the association's strengths and weaknesses. Mr. Hazen expected the position to be posted the week of April 7 and filled during May.
Asked what he will miss the most about the association, Mr. Hazen replied quickly: "The interaction with the entire industry." He said it has been a pleasure to work with the full breadth of growers, small to large, and gain insights into the industry's diversity.
Lynette Smith, who handles communications for the association, sang Mr. Hazen's praises. "We're sad; we're happy," she noted. "He's been the best boss I've ever worked for. He always had our back. That's a rare quality. We're incredibly loyal to him. He will be missed. But we're happy for him."
