Be Our Guest at the Tree Fruit Industry's Annual Conference - Action Required
- Where
- Kennewick
- Cost
- Free
This is for current WAEF students.
WAEF students interested in careers in agriculture and the tree fruit industry are invited to apply for a special opportunity to attend the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting, December 7–9 at the Tri-Cities Convention Center.
WAEF will select four students to participate. Charles Perleberg Memorial travel grant recipients will have their conference-related expenses covered, including registration, meals, and lodging. Students should plan to arrive December 6 and depart December 9.
But this opportunity is about much more than attending a conference.
WAEF will connect participating students with industry mentors who will attend workshops and meetings alongside them. Students will also attend the industry awards banquet with WAEF staff and board members and connect with recent WAEF graduates during an alumni breakfast.
Throughout the conference, students will have opportunities to meet professionals from across Washington’s tree fruit industry, learn how research, technology, and data are shaping its future, explore potential career paths, and build connections that can continue well beyond the conference.
How to Apply
1. Make sure you can attend. Talk with your professors in advance to confirm that you can be away from class December 7–9. Because this may overlap with end-of-term assignments or exams, please make arrangements with your professors before applying.
2. Write a one-page essay. Tell us why attending the Annual Meeting would be an important step for you and how the experience connects with your education, career interests, or future goals.
You may use AI to proofread or polish your essay, but the ideas and content must be your own and should reflect your individual interests and goals.
3. Submit your essay to WAEF. Email your one-page essay to Jennifer Witherbee at Jennifer.witherbee@waef.org by October 20, 2026.
Four students will be selected and notified by November 1, 2026.
This is a great opportunity to step beyond the classroom, learn directly from people working throughout the tree fruit industry, and begin building relationships that can help shape your next steps.