Project Description
Featured stories about marketing, apples, and industry appear in this issue.
Apple rate increase goes to a vote
The decision to increase Washington Apple Commission assessments by up to a penny per 40-pound box is now before the state's apple growers. Ballots, mailed
Building industry muscle
Mark Holtzinger steps into the top leadership position of a statewide tree fruit organization at a time when growers and packers are happy with the
End of an era
Citing philosophical differences, Mark Holtzinger, on November 30, left the company that his grandfather started almost 100 years ago, and where he was involved the
How to be competitive
What does it take to be a competitive grower? All will be revealed at a Washington State University Extension Fruit School on Competitive Orchard Systems
Wake-up call for virus users
Growers can forestall resistance to the codling moth virus by alternating it with other products.
Hypoallergenic apples
The Santana variety, selected by Dutch researchers in 1978, is a cross of Elstar and Priscilla. Dutch researchers believe Santana, a hypoallergenic apple variety that's
Pink stink
Many Washington apple producers are using the option of selling Cripps Pink apples without using the Pink Lady brand name. In the United States, Pink
Gee Whiz
Jamie Howell works on the "Gee Whiz" soundtrack. Filmmakers Jamie Howell and Jeff Ostenson never met Grady Auvil, yet they know the legendary orchardist well.
Replacing methyl bromide
A new soil fumigant was recently registered—the first new registration since methyl bromide was classified as an ozone-depleting substance and phased out. On the postharvest
Good Question
We asked a number of growers across the nation to name the biggest challenge they face in the coming year and offer their solutions. Not
Alternative yet to be approved
Industry adoption of a controlled atmosphere and temperature treatment to replace postharvest methyl bromide fumigation faces commercialization hurdles as well as approval barriers by foreign
Whatever happened to… Apples to Japan
Washington apple industry representatives in Japan in 1995 with a daruma doll. Daruma dolls are traditionally used as good luck symbols. People fill in one
Robots are getting closer
A robotic apple picking system is beginning to take shape. Scientists from Vision Robotics Corporation of San Diego, California, were in Washington State in October
Understanding sustainability
Warren Morgan, looking for a way to grow his own fertilizer in the orchard, is experimenting with a side-discharge mower to blow green manure down
Oregon grower employs harvest aids
Harvesting aid in action at Oregon Heritage Farms. Fed up with labor issues, Oregon orchardist Robert McLennan, owner of Oregon Heritage Farms near Hillsboro, began
Fast forward
Dr. David Barrett (standing) is pictured with Florida grower Robert Dubrosky. Dr. David Barrett, professor at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts, envisions
Lodi Rules
Years after the Lange family's Gil Creek restoration project, which transformed a barren riparian area into a lake overflowing with fish, fowl, and other wildlife,
Robotic pruner for grapes
Image of a two-row robotic grape pruner under development by Vision Robotics. The same company working to develop robotic harvesters for the tree fruit industry
Reverting to the wild side
Once a winter-run creek, the Lange family returned the Gil Creek riparian area back to its native state. Before their restoration efforts, which began 12
Eco-friendly winery
Brad Lange, left, and Aaron Lange stand at the crushing station of LangeTwins Winery. The new LangeTwins Winery, which opened for custom crush and winemaking
Organic in Oregon
Brother and sister Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser are both vice presidents in the family business, with Alex managing the vineyard and Alison in charge
Winery hosts events year round
Winners of the grape-stomping contest at Willamette Valley Vineyards go on to the world championship in California. There's more to a successful winery these days
In My View
This fall, Washington State's apple and pear crops came in short. Spot labor shortages were reported throughout the season and throughout the state, but at
Good Point
It has never been more important that our U.S. apple industry have strong representation in both Washington State and Washington, D.C., where both domestic and
A star is born
The idea of making a movie about the life of Grady Auvil was hatched three years ago after Jamie Howell made the video 100 Years