Every year, I experience a sense of renewal in spring: warm sunshine, fresh air and long hikes across our spectacular hillsides and valleys.
I recently climbed Sauer Mountain for the first time, near the community of Peshastin in Washington’s Central Cascades region, and was again astounded at the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. A friend and I walked through vibrant fields of arrowleaf balsamroot with snowcapped peaks in the distance — and miles of blooming pear orchards on the valley floor below.
Even on my days off, I enjoy the bounty of our agriculture industry. It’s an industry that takes great pride not just in its products, but in the land and people who support it. The staff at Good Fruit Grower takes pride in its role, too: educating growers. It’s our core mission and one we continually strive to meet in new and innovative ways.
In recent years, Good Fruit Grower has revamped its website, launched social media platforms, expanded digital production and initiated an online Spanish-language version of the magazine. All of these efforts were made possible only through the efforts of a great team working together on a common goal.
We’ll have some new initiatives in the months and years ahead, to ensure we continue to meet our mission, and I look forward to working with the staff — and this industry — to achieve them. I’ve stepped into a new role at Good Fruit Grower as managing editor, succeeding Casey Corr, who retired last year, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
Most of all, I’m thrilled to continue to work with such great people: Ross Courtney, Kate Prengaman and TJ Mullinax creating in-depth and instructive stories, photos and videos; Jared Johnson and Jonelle Mejica bringing those stories to life on the page in print and online; Maria Fernandez ensuring those stories reach you, our audience, in both English and Spanish; and Doug Button, Rick Larsen and Theresa Currell fostering both the longtime and budding relationships with our advertising partners.
We often hear praise for the magazine, but I like to think we do what you all do each day: innovate and strive for excellence. We are a reflection of this industry, and like you, we will continue to raise the bar.
Stay tuned.
—by Shannon Dininny
Please bring an occasional overview of developments of likely interest and concern taking place in Europe, the Far East and other continents. It is asking a bit much, but perhaps contributors overseas would be happy to pitch in?
Thanks.