California, with its moderate climate and water availability, has long been the fruit bowl of America, producing nearly all types of fruits imaginable. The Golden State’s tree fruit industry of peaches, plums, and nectarines dominates many retail markets, not unlike Washington State apple producers. And like Washington, shifts and adjustments have taken place as California’s tree fruit growers and shippers respond to market changes. I visited several California tree fruit growers last fall to see firsthand some of the changes I had heard about. It had been more than ten years since I’d driven the country roads between Fresno and […]