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Photos by Casey Crookham
Growers looking to improve production practices found advice from experts at the 66th annual meeting of the Idaho and Malheur County Onion Growers’ Associations held Feb. 3 in Ontario, Oregon. A dozen speakers covered timely topics ranging from managing pests and diseases to minimizing production costs and food safety risks.
In addition to the educational sessions and a trade show, the meeting included the induction of two individuals into the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Hall of Fame. Grant Kitamura and Candi Fitch were acknowledged for their long-standing commitment and impact on onion production and industry advancement.
Grant Kitamura
Grant Kitamura enjoyed a 45-year career in the onion industry and feels fortunate to be a member of a family vegetable farming operation that extends back more than 100 years. His grandparents on both sides began farming in Washington state in the early 1920s and continued farming after relocating to the Treasure Valley. Growing up on a row crop farm, he learned all aspects of farming from his dad.
After graduating from Oregon State University in 1975 with a degree in business and accounting, Kitamura returned to Ontario to farm with his family before going to work for Sig Murakami in 1980. In 2017, Murakami Produce and Baker Packing joined forces to form Baker and Murakami Produce. In September 2025, they sold their operation to Eagle Eye Produce, Treasure Valley Growers, allowing Kitamura to retire.
Throughout his career, Kitamura has believed in the importance of forming strong relationships with farmers, customers, vendors and bankers. He sees the importance of collaborating with competitors and being involved in industry organizations. He served for many years as a trustee and finance committee chair for the National Onion Association. In 1993-94, he served as president of the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association and has been on the Marketing Order since 1992 where he served as secretary/treasurer of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee. He has also worked with the Oregon Board of Agriculture, Malheur County Development Corporation and OSU Board of Trustees.
Grant and Carole Kitamura will celebrate their 50th anniversary in August with their three children and five grandchildren.
Candi Fitch
After being responsible for the setup and logistics of countless industry meetings throughout her 32-year career, Candi Fitch, executive director of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, was the honoree at this meeting.
Fitch began working for the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association in December 1993 as an assistant manager and worked her way up to executive director in 2005, overseeing the association’s six member organizations including the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee.
In this role, Fitch has represented and advocated for the onion industry. Following the introduction of the Food Safety Modernization Act, she testified to the FDA in Washington, D.C., as part of the onion industry’s efforts to change the water regulations. She also has participated in trade missions including a Western United States Agricultural Trade Association trade mission to meet with buyers in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. In 2023, she traveled to Mexico City with Idaho Gov. Little’s trade mission. Other career highlights include working with the Malheur Ag and Extension Coalition to set up the service district for the Malheur Experiment Station and partnering with the Treasure Valley Ag Coalition to keep the Parma Research and Extension Center open.
At age 40, Fitch began her college education, working full-time and taking classes to earn her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University. She went on to receive a master’s of business administration from Northwest Nazarene University in 2006. Fitch has two sons and two grandkids. She will be retiring on June 30.
