Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would direct Washington State University (WSU) to document and preserve heritage apple orchards across the state. The legislation recognizes the need to protect rare and heirloom apple varieties that have played a key role in the region’s agricultural history but risk being lost as commercial orchards consolidate toward a handful of profitable varieties.

Under the proposed measure, WSU would be tasked with creating a registry of heritage orchards and identifying rare or lost apple types. The program would also offer support to orchardists maintaining these older varieties—some of which still survive in century-old plots, on rural roadsides, or in family gardens. These trees often predate modern commercial breeding and hold genetic information that could bolster disease resistance or contribute to developing more resilient modern apples.

Matthew Whiting, a horticulture scientist at WSU, emphasized that heritage apples offer not only historical and cultural value but scientific potential. By preserving these genetic lines, researchers can better understand fruit development, flavor complexity, and adaptation to Washington’s diverse growing conditions.

While the proposal has not yet been voted on, it reflects a growing statewide interest in agricultural biodiversity and local food heritage—both of which resonate strongly across Washington’s apple-producing regions, including areas of southwest Washington where small orchards still cultivate heirloom fruit.

For more on the proposed heritage orchard legislation, see OPB’s coverage of the proposal.