Should Washington Change Its Motto From ‘The Evergreen State’ To ‘The Apple State’?

Most people who aren't from Washington imagine our entire state as awash in evergreen trees with pine smell in the air and cool, overcast weather. Obviously that's only true for the west side ... an area only occupying the area from the Cascades west, about 40 percent of Washington state. The rest of the state is typically sunny and dry.

The conditions are perfect for growing fruit. In fact, according to the USDA, Washington accounts for 10 percent of all the fruit grown in the United States ranking us third behind California (51 percent) and Florida (19 percent). Most of that 10 percent is apples, of which Washington dominates the rest of the country with 58 percent of the American apple crop grown right here.

The vintage map in the photo above that I ran across during my weekend estate sale shopping illustrates the importance ag plays in our economic success.

I get it, fruit isn't sexy. Most people who visit our state go to Seattle or hit the Cascades for the great skiing, fishing, rafting and other outdoor opportunities Washington is famous for. Yet, how we're perceived is only the reality in a minority of the state. Is it right that some espresso sipping, pasty white, granola eaters from the west side get to pick our motto? Obviously not. We should be known for our contributions to American society. So I would submit we should be called the Apple State. Alternatively "The Hops State" (we grow 77% of all hops in the U.S.) would work because everyone drinks beer. What do you think?