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    • Letters to the editor

    Letters to the editor can be sent to editor Kate Prengaman at kate@goodfruit.com. Letters selected for publication will be edited.

    Honoring an outstanding career at WSU Extension

    To the Editor:

    After decades of dedicated service with Washington State University Extension, supporting fruit growers across Washington and around the world, Karen Lewis begins her well-earned retirement. This moment marks an opportunity for us to celebrate her extraordinary career.

    I first had the privilege of working with Karen when we served together on the International Fruit Tree Association board, where she took on the role of education director. It quickly became clear that IFTA and Karen were a perfect match. She is, without question, one of the most exceptional educators in our industry — deeply knowledgeable, globally connected and endlessly generous in sharing her expertise. Time spent with Karen is never enough; every conversation brings new insights and practical wisdom.

    Related:
    From left, Washington State University’s Karen Lewis and Stefano Musacchi laugh with grower Scott McDougall during a preharvest field day for WA 38 apples in Quincy in 2022. While field days are part of the job for extension specialists, it was Lewis’ repertoire and relationships with growers that served her well throughout her career. (Kate Prengaman/Good Fruit Grower) Changing hands and changing times for tree fruit extension team

    I was fortunate to collaborate with her on multiple IFTA conferences, each one a master class in leadership and execution. Organizing several days of meetings, along with pre- and post-conference tours, is no small task. Karen elevated it to an art form. Every session was thoughtfully designed, building toward meaningful educational takeaways, while the sheer volume of coordination and communication was handled with remarkable skill and composure.

    Karen has given so freely of her time and talent that she has helped raise the standard for our entire industry. Her influence extends far beyond the events she organized or the programs she led — it lives on in the people she taught, mentored and inspired.

    There’s a quote I’ve often used to recognize truly outstanding contributions: “We see further because we stand on the shoulders of giants.” It feels especially fitting today. Karen is one of those giants. Through her work, dedication and passion, she has elevated us all.

    Thank you, Karen. You leave behind not only a remarkable legacy but a lasting impact that will continue to shape our industry for years to come.

    —Rod Farrow, Waterport, New York
    June 2026

    On competition in the cherry market

    Hi Kate,

    Related:
    Lupe Muñoz, left, supervises cherry harvest in mid-June for River Valley Fruit near Grandview, Washington. Looking back on the 2025 season, industry leaders say a large volume of fruit at the start of the Northwest season hit the market when prices were still too high, and sales struggled. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower) Prengaman: Charting a cherry conversation

    I think that you should have mentioned the effect of South  American cherries. Off-season cherries, although not as good as the best U.S. crop, are darn good and reasonably priced at my local Massachusetts Walmart. I recently got some for $2.99 per pound.  The opening of the California cherry season is no longer an event, and by the time those beautiful Northwest cherries hit the market, it is sort of ho-hum. This past season, they were not featured, and as you said, expensive. (At the retail level). 

    For years my town grew some of the best local sweet corn. Opening day was an event. Once the supersweets started coming in from Florida about 40 years ago, the local opening-week market died.

    Even though I am semiretired, I always enjoy, and learn from your magazine. Thanks

    —Todd Miles, MBA, Greystones Farm, Millbury, Massachusetts
    January 2026

    On how private equity is changing the industry

    I would like to thank Barclay Crane for his article in the recent Good Fruit Grower. It’s not easy to shine a light on an industry in turmoil and I really appreciate his willingness to be candid and honest.

    Related:
    Ana Valentin checks a bin of Premier Honeycrisp for color and quality in August at Douglas Fruit near Pasco, Washington. Crane: Growing smarter

    With so much private equity money invested in the Washington apple industry it’s difficult to understand (from my New York perspective) who are now the leaders and decision makers in Washington.

    In past over production cycles, the heads of the larger family owned businesses felt the pain of significant operating losses and acted relatively quickly to get supply and demand back into a balance where we could all at least have a chance of remaining profitable.

    The unsustainable losses that we are currently living through are, unfortunately, not even a rounding error on the balance sheets of the multi-billion perhaps even trillion dollar investment companies now making the financial decisions. No privately-owned companies can compete long term with them. If their decision is to be last man standing, they have the wherewithal to do just that. 

    I look at this moment as a potential tragedy of enormous proportions. The moral code of farm families is almost unmatched in any walk of life, and while most of us are competitive by nature we don’t wish ill will on any others in our industry. I wish I felt the same about private equity investment companies. 

    Thanks again to Mr Crane for prompting me to get on my soapbox.

    —Rod Farrow, Waterport, New York
    December 2025

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