Ross Courtney is an associate editor for Good Fruit Grower, writing articles and taking photos for the print magazine and website. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
Courtney worked as a writer, photographer and video producer for the Yakima Herald-Republic starting in 2000, covering agriculture, education and local government. He was the author of the Herald-Republic‘s popular Crop Lines blog.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a communications specialist for a Pasco, Washington, company representing agricultural groups. Before that, he covered sports for the Tri-City Herald.
Courtney joined the magazine in 2015. He lives in Prosser with his family.
Follow the author — Contact: 509-930-8798 or Email
My Recent Articles
Marketing, technology, disease and a new Cherry King mark Cherry Institute 2025
Administrators of Northwest Cherries told growers Jan. 10 at the 82nd annual Cherry Institute in Yakima, Washington, that the 2024 season was successful in shipping and promotions, a welcome bright spot after several tough years...
Breaking down “break even” for apple growers
New cost-of-production budgets from WSU show challenges apple growers face for economic stability.
Another downer for Washington juice grape growers
Growers grapple with Washington juice-grape cash price that continues to decline.
Cherry identification down to the DNA details
Genetic experts say preliminary DNA screening can prevent intellectual property disputes.
The SKU view for the apple category
The apple industry navigates a new era as retailers seek to cull the apple category to the top-performing varieties.
Working out the bugs with sterile spotted wing drosophila
Gene-edited spotted wing drosophila research reaches field-trial stage.
Removing leaves and retracting netting both boost apple color
Two methods prove effective in Washington State University study.
Sticking with predators for pest management
Crop consultants use sticky card traps to monitor beneficial insect populations.
Northern giant hornet eradicated from U.S.
Agricultural authorities say the northern giant hornet, an invasive pest that posed a potential threat to honey bee colonies, is no longer in the United States...
Effects of election and judge rulings highlight labor session on final day of Washington hort show
—by Ross Courtney and Shannon Dininny Natalie Smeller of Wenatchee High School, center, judges Red
Washington tree fruit industry bestows awards at Yakima banquet
Ed Ing, Bill Zirkle, Leo Garcia and Dave Gleason all took home honors on Dec.
A cherry tour, technology topics and pears round out Day 2 of the Washington hort show
—by Ross Courtney and Shannon Dininny Dave Allan of Allan Bros. points out places he
Washington State University names WA 64 apple Sunflare
Washington State University has given its newest apple, WA 64, the official trade name Sunflare...
Longtime industry leader highlights opening morning of Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting
Gary Grove, a soon-to-be professor emeritus of plant pathology at Washington State University, told growers they face “significant but surmountable challenges” at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting at the Yakima Convention Center...
Hort Show preview: Uninformed foodie fight
WSTFA keynote speaker to discuss how to push back against critics who don’t understand farming.
Leading by listening: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
A mix of people skills and horticultural expertise earn Tom Gausman of AgriMACS in Chelan, Washington, the 2024 Grower of the Year award from Good Fruit Grower.
Seeing the big picture: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Tom Gausman shares lessons on developing large orchards.
Rise of the orchard manager: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Outside investment and increased need for management mark Grower of the Year Tom Gausman’s career.
More federal judges block provisions of H-2A rule
Two more federal judges have blocked parts of the new H-2A regulations intended to grant workers more protection from potential abuses and give them rights to conduct union-like activities...
Kalcsits appointed to leadership role at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
Washington State University is taking a team approach to leading the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee...
Precision prescription for vineyard researcher
U.S. Department of Agriculture hires an ag engineer for new viticulture research role for the Northwest wine industry.
Washington State Grape Society honors industry leaders at annual meeting
Among the presentations on topics such as technology, pest control and industry economics, the Washington State Grape Society bestowed industry awards on Nov. 21 at its annual meeting in Grandview...
Quest for automated apple harvest continues
Robot company advanced.farm returns to Washington for another harvest of fine-tuning.
Change of hue for Washington vineyards
As Washington’s red wine grape tide falls, whites are on the rise.
Judge rules Glory and Staccato cherries the same
A federal judge has decided a cherry sold as Glory is really Staccato under a different name...
Vineyard pruning approach cut cold damage after frigid weather
Washington wine grape growers’ freeze response ushered in a full crop.
A three-for-all approach to orchard systems
Cornerstone Ranches stays the course with three-leader V-trellis system, regardless of variety.
USDA research center construction begins at UC Davis
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun construction on a new 59,000-square-foot Agricultural Research and Technology Center at the University of California, Davis...
Washington wine groups again seek acreage data
Washington wine groups are asking more growers to respond to an acreage survey this year...
Sweet stops on California stone fruit tour
International Fruit Tree Association summer tour sweeps through California’s stone fruit industry.