NCSFR Committees
NCSFR is guided by a structured committee system that connects industry, researchers, and federal and state partners — ensuring that research priorities reflect real-world needs and that funding is directed where it matters most. Together, these committees form the operational, strategic, and education backbone of the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research.
These committees form the operational, strategic, and education backbone of the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research.
NCSFR brings together representatives from the small fruits, grapes, and specialty crops industry, research community (USDA-ARS, universities, private sector) and regional commodity groups. Each committee plays a distinct role in supporting the center's work — from day-to-day coordination to federal education and research priority development.
How NCSFR Is Guided
Coordinate
The Coordinating Committee supports operations, planning, and overall program direction.
Educate
The Liaison Committee represents the Pacific Northwest small fruits industry in federal discussions and supports research funding at the national level.
Prioritize
The Stakeholder Council defines and updates the research priorities that guide NCSFR-supported work.
The System in Practice
This structure ensures that research is not developed in isolation, but remains connected to both regional needs and national funding opportunities.
Coordinating Committee
The Coordinating Committee is responsible for operations and coordination of NCSFR — including strategic planning, meeting structure, and overall program guidance.
Operations and coordination
Strategic planning, meeting structure, program guidance
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, small fruit scientists, and USDA-ARS
Committee Members
Chair / Program Coordination
- Julie Tarara, Chair — Washington wine grapes
- Julie Pond, Program Coordinator
Oregon
- Dai Crisp — Oregon wine grapes
- T.J. Hafner — Oregon blueberries
- Matt Unger — Oregon strawberries
- Jayson Hoffman — Oregon strawberries
- Derek Imig — Oregon blackberry and raspberry
Washington
- Riley Spears — Washington raspberries
- Alan Schreiber — Washington blueberries
- Nathan Sakuma — Washington blueberries
- Melissa Hansen — Washington wine grapes
Idaho
- Moya Shatz — Idaho Wine
- Mike Williamson — Idaho Wine
Small Fruit, Grape, and Speciality Crops Scientist
- Scott Lukas — Oregon State University
USDA-ARS Representatives
- Walt Mahaffee — USDA-ARS Acting Research Leader, RCDPMRU
- David Bryla — USDA-ARS Acting Research Leader, HCPGIRU
- Tim Rinehart — USDA National Program Leader, Specialty Crops
Liaison Committee
The Liaison Committee represents the Pacific Northwest small fruits industry in federal discussions and supports research funding at the national level.
The Liaison Committee is operated and funded by the Small Fruits, Grapes, and Specialty Crops Industry Consortium — an education and education group that travels to Washington D.C. to educate for the Pacific Northwest industry and NCSFR in particular.
Education and representation
Federal research funding and industry education
Oregon berries, Washington berries, Oregon wine/grape, Washington wine/grape, Idaho wine/grape
Committee Members
Chair
- Dai Crisp, Chair
Oregon Berries
- Derek Imig — Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission
- T.J. Hafner — Oregon Blueberry Commission
- Matt Unger — Oregon Strawberry Industry
- Jayson Hoffman — Oregon Strawberry Commission
- Jon Umble — Oregon Blueberry Commission
Washington Berries
- Riley Spears — Washington Red Raspberry Commission
- Alan Schreiber — Washington Blueberry Commission
- Nathan Sakuma — Washington Blueberry Commission
- Randy Honcoop — Washington Red Raspberry Commission
Oregon Wine / Grape
- Dai Crisp — Oregon Wine Board
- Chad Vargas — Oregon Wine Board
- Leigh Bartholamew — Oregon Wine Board
Washington Wine / Grape
- Julie Tarara — Washington State Wine Commission
- Melissa Hansen — Washington State Wine Commission
Idaho Wine / Grape
- Moya Shatz — Idaho Wine Commission
- Jake Cragin — Idaho Wine Commission
Stakeholder Council
The Stakeholder Council helps shape the research priorities that guide NCSFR-supported work. This council brings together industry and research voices to review needs, revise priorities, and make recommendations connected to agricultural research.
The role of the Stakeholder Council is to establish, review, and revise research priorities and to make recommendations to ARS, ARC, and AES directors. The council also acts as a forum for input by members into the general operations of the NCSFR conference. At each annual conference, new Vice-chairs are elected and current Vice-chairs are promoted, rotating between members of the industry and research community.
Priority Area Leadership
Blueberry, Cranberry & Strawberry
Chair: Dave Bryla
Vice-chair: Jayson Hoffman
Grape Viticulture, Wine & Juice and Table
Chair: Devin Rippner
Vice-chair: Karl Mohr
Raspberry, Blackberry & Specialty Crop
Chair: Chakradar Mattupalli
Vice-chair: Riley Spears
Wine Processing
Chair: Thomas Henick-Kling
Vice-chair: Gina Hennen
Why This Structure Matters
NCSFR's committee structure helps ensure that research priorities are not developed in isolation. Through coordination, education, and stakeholder input, the committees help connect regional industry needs with research planning and communication.
Clearer Priorities
Industry and research voices define what matters most.
Stronger Representation
Stakeholders shape research direction and funding education.
Better Connection to Outcomes
Research moves from concept to real-world application.
