The latest updates, exclusively from goodfruit.com.
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Northwest fruit growers can learn how to fix plastic bins at upcoming classes
Plastic industrial bin manufacturer IPL Macro Plastics will hold three free bin repair classes in the Northwest during the first week of April...
Disaster declaration approved for Washington cherry growers
On March 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Washington’s request for a natural disaster designation due to losses during last year’s cherry crop...
Oregon disaster declaration gives cherry growers access to emergency loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Oregon’s request for a natural disaster designation after the state’s cherry growers lost an average of 35 percent of their crop...
IFTA to tour California July 16–18
The International Fruit Tree Association has set the dates of its 2024 California summer tour...
NOSB spring meetings and comment period announced
The National Organic Standards Board will hold its annual spring meeting April 29–May 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a virtual option available for those unable to travel...
South Africa on the IFTA schedule
Registration is open for the International Fruit Tree Association’s study tour in South Africa, scheduled for December...
Moffitt to leave Pear Bureau Northwest
Later this year, Kevin Moffitt will begin leaving Pear Bureau Northwest after 35 years with the nonprofit marketing organization.
New tool will help growers keep better track of chilling hours
Purdue University’s Midwestern Regional Climate Center has launched an interactive tool fruit growers can use to more closely monitor accumulated chilling hours...
Washington’s Smart Orchard gets a new home
Tree fruit industry researchers, growers and technology vendors have selected a young, modern apple orchard near Mattawa, Washington, for the next iteration of the Smart Orchard Project...
IFTA honors leaders amid research updates
On the final day of the International Fruit Tree Association’s annual meeting in Yakima, Washington, Feb. 14, the group took a break from orchard innovation and technology talks to honor members for their significant contributions to the industry...
On the road for Day 3 of IFTA
Tour buses fanned out across the Yakima Valley as tree fruit professionals eager to learn visited six orchards on Day 3 of the International Fruit Tree Association winter conference in Washington...
IFTA gathers for annual conference and tours in Yakima, Washington
The International Fruit Tree Association gathered in Yakima, Washington, on Feb. 11 for a week of research talks, technology workshops and orchard tours...
Washington cherry growers to vote on marketing order referendum
Washington cherry growers: Check your mailbox! Ballots for the continuance referendum on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee are in the mail...
Grand Tasting highlights final day of WineVit
Niche varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Semillon and sparkling Lemberger Blanc de Noir — and the opportunities that could come with them — were on the menu Wednesday during the Grand Tasting event at WineVit...
WineVit State of the Industry session looks at national challenges to wine consumption and local opportunities for growth
Speakers shared a lot of data during the WineVit State of the Industry session, to paint a picture of the challenges at play and chart paths forward...
WineVit opens with a discussion on diversity in the wine industry
Who are the wine drinkers of the future? Who are the future workers — at every level — to drive success? Almost certainly, it’s going to be a more diverse community than in the industry’s past...
Survey to help develop sustainability metrics for Pacific Northwest apple industry
Apple growers in the Pacific Northwest are needed to participate in a survey that will support the development of a life cycle assessment and help develop region-specific solutions to address climate change challenges...
USApple announces 2024 NextGen Apple Fellowship Class
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release the newest members of its leadership development program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship...
Supporters and detractors of ag overtime changes advocate in Olympia, Washington
Washington farmworkers held rallies and testified at the state capitol in Olympia regarding suggested changes to agricultural overtime mandates...
Mount Adams reschedules pear pruning tour in Washington’s Columbia Gorge
Mount Adams Fruit orchard managers have rescheduled their annual pruning tour to Feb. 8, due to weather...
Washington farmworkers to rally about overtime in Olympia
Two nonprofit groups are inviting Washington farmworkers to speak about agricultural overtime pay requirements affecting their paychecks at a Jan. 25 rally at the state capitol in Olympia...
Pest management a top topic at North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days
The idea of a new year offering a fresh start unfortunately does not apply to pest management in cherry orchards...
Marketing, Cherry King and motivation punctuate Cherry Institute
The Northwest Cherry Growers gathered on a frigid Friday morning in Yakima for the 81st annual Cherry Institute...
Hort council asks growers to seek AEWR freeze
Tree fruit industry officials are asking growers to contact U.S. Senate and House offices to advocate for a freeze of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate at 2023 levels...
USDA agrees to purchase more apples
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will accept bids until Jan. 11 for a total of $60 million in fresh apples and $40 million in processed apples...
Washington’s FirstFruits Farms acquires Applewood Orchards of Michigan
FirstFruits Farms of Washington has acquired Applewood Orchards and Applewood Fresh Growers of Michigan...
Washington Winegrowers welcomes new executive director, Colleen Frei
In the new year, the Washington Winegrowers Association will welcome a new executive director...
EXPO Day 2: Distinguished service awards
Michigan hort society honors Greg Lang and Bill Erwin.
IFTA 2024 winter conference and tours in Yakima, Washington, Feb. 11–14, early registration extended
Climate, precision and technology are all on the agenda as the International Fruit Tree Association prepares for its 67th annual winter conference and tours Feb. 11–14 in Yakima, Washington...
Hort Show Day 2: Industry awards
Washington fruit industry lauds leaders at annual banquet.
Adverse Effect Wage Rate likely to increase in 2024
Adverse Effect Wage Rates are likely to increase in 2024, according to the results of an annual labor survey the federal government uses to set the H-2A wage floors...
See what’s ahead at the WSTFA Spanish-language session Dec. 5
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association’s annual meeting returns to the Tri-Cities this December, and the full day of Spanish-language sessions is expected to draw a crowd...
California stone fruit company recalls fruit due to listeria contamination
HMC Farms, a vertically integrated stone fruit producer in Kingsburg, California, has voluntarily recalled peaches, plums and nectarines for potential listeria contamination...
2023 pesticide residue reports available for apple and cherry
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission announced the recent completion of the 2023 pesticide residue study for apple...
Washington State Grape Society gathers in Grandview for annual meeting
The Washington State Grape Society gathered on Nov. 16 in Grandview, Washington, to honor industry leaders, discuss economic trends, learn about ongoing research and eat fantastic Mexican food...
Oregon State University names Pearson new extension director
Following a national search, Oregon State University has named Brian Pearson as the next permanent director of the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hood River...
California Fresh Fruit Association names Hartwig president
Daniel Hartwig has been named the new president of the California Fresh Fruit Association, according to a news release from the organization...
California stone fruit giant enters bankruptcy
One of the nation’s largest stone fruit producers has filed for bankruptcy...
Washington Apple Commission welcomes new USDA export promotion program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced a new program to help American farmers develop and maintain export markets...
WSU to hold pear study circles Nov. 15 and Dec. 13
Washington State University Extension announced two pear study circles to provide opportunities for growers, consultants, researchers and industry professionals to learn from one another and improve pear profitability and sustainability...
Virtual meeting Nov. 2 to address California pear pest
University of California Cooperative Extension has scheduled another meeting, this one virtual, to discuss the emergence of the flatheaded borer causing damage to fruit in Lake County pear orchards...
New partnership to evaluate and commercialize Ontario apple selections
The apple breeding program at Ontario’s Vineland Research and Innovation Centre announced a new partnership with an international nursery group to evaluate and ultimately commercialize new apple selections...
California pear growers invited to meeting about new pest
North Coast pear growers are invited to a University of California Cooperative Extension meeting to discuss the flatheaded borer, a previously unknown pest causing pear damage in Lake County...
Snowflake is Canada’s latest apple variety
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s tree fruit breeding program has partnered with Canada’s largest apple grower, Algoma Orchards in Ontario, to release a new apple variety...
New scientists take industry-serving roles in Washington’s Yakima Valley
Virna Stillwaugh joins Northwest Horticultural Council and Claire Murphy joins Washington State University...
PGRs reduce vigor in WA 38 trials at WSU
Green spot in WA 38 apples is a result of a nutrient imbalance caused in part by excess vigor. Manage the vigor and you manage green spot...
Enrollment open for Latino Agriculture Education for Viticulture Program winter courses
Registration is open for the winter session of the Latino Agriculture Education for Viticulture Program in Central Washington, according to a news release from the program...
USDA introduces new grapevine insurance program
Grape growers will have a new risk management tool next year to insure the vines themselves, not just the crop, against natural hazards such as wildfire or freeze damage...
Grants available to help growers with Northern Triangle H-2A hires
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering grants to help agricultural employers hire H-2A workers from the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador...
University of Minnesota gets Kudos for its latest apple release
The University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program has released its latest variety: MN33, branded as Kudos...