As we have in years past, the Good Fruit Grower team has scattered across the country this winter to connect with members of our industry and report on the latest research and technology news for the coming season.
Behind the scenes, we’ve been just as busy on another project.
Those who access our content online already know we launched a redesign of the Good Fruit Grower and Good Fruit Grower en español websites last year. We are now advancing that effort with development of a gate, or paywall, to protect our library of valuable content, much of which will be available exclusively to paid members of our community.
We also are raising our subscription rate for the first time in 20 years — a $20 increase — from $35 to $55 — that, according to an inflation calculator, matches the value of our subscription price in 2006.
Our motto is “By Growers, For Growers,” and it’s the investment by this community that makes this publication possible. Today, Good Fruit Grower provides far more content than it did in the pages of the past. We now offer videos, timely news updates and additional photos and stories on our website, and we need to ensure that we remain a trusted resource and a sustainable partner for years to come.
We expect to go live with these changes in the coming weeks, when you’ll find some of our newly published content and many of our archived stories blocked by a box that directs you to “log in” or “join now.”
All paid print subscribers are already members. Watch your email inbox for an invitation to start your digital membership at no added cost. Once you use the provided link to set up an account and password, you’ll be able to browse everything on our site, unrestricted.
For many longstanding print readers, we may not have an email address on file to give you a head start on setting up your digital membership. If that’s you, head to goodfruit.com/subscriber-login/first-time-user. Fill out the form to provide the account number from your magazine’s mailing label, along with your email, and our team will set up your digital membership.
And if you are happiest flipping through print pages, you don’t have to do anything new; the magazine will continue to be delivered to your home or office.
In those print pages, readers will likely notice more links and callouts for online-only content. One of the advantages of creating a community-focused website is that we now have more incentive to create digital content for you, including highlights from industry events and timely news updates on markets, politics and trade — stories that are difficult to cover at the pace of print.
As for our online readers who currently access our content for free and who may be surprised to encounter this change, please consider this an invitation to join our community and support our mission to support growers.
We know that you rely on the trusted, verified and relevant information we provide — regardless of whether you prefer it in print or online. These changes reflect our desire to serve your needs going forward, and we hope you’ll continue to support us in that effort.
A note to our international subscribers: Recognizing the ever-increasing cost of postage and challenges with delivery in some countries, we also are launching a digital-only international membership for $55. We welcome you to join our community online! •
