In the big scheme of things, apple growers are concerned about competition from China, but at harvest, the competition is closer to home. Growers worry about being able to compete with other industries—such as construction and food processing—or even their neighbors in order to find a labor force to pick their fruit. “It’s tough out there,” Karen Lewis, Washington State University Extension educator, reminded producers at WSU’s Tree Fruit Quality School in August. Comparatively low annual wages in the tree fruit industry make it difficult to attract and retain workers. The first step to recruiting a good labor force is […]