Pear harvest is getting underway in the Mid-Columbia.  Some orchardists have begun to pick fruit from their trees.  Labor supplies are an annual concern, especially this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Hood River Valley orchardist and County Commission Chair Mike Oates says his operation appears to be down a few employees, but he added crop size is down a bit from last year.  He says making sure everyone stays safe is the top priority.  Oates says they are taking everyone’s temperature when they come into the orchards, have masks available for those who can’t social distance, housing processes were changed, and sanitation protocols have been increased.