Project Description
Grower of the Year 2015
Featured stories covering the Good Fruit Grower of the Year and annual convention previews in this issue.
Click here to view a PDF version of this issue.
Nick Plath, a young grower from George, Washington
grower / George, Washington age / 26 crops / Apples, cherries, and wine grapes business / Washington Fruit and Produce Company family background
Benefits of the TPP
Eliminating tariff rates on tree fruit is a trade policy objective of the Northwest Horticultural Council. TPP furthers this objective.
New focus on grade standards
Hort council aims for industry involvement to help monitor other nations’ quality metrics.
Avoiding heat-related illness
Study finds workers paid piece rate tend to work harder and take fewer breaks, increasing the risk of heat-related illness symptoms.
WSU virologist retires
Ken Eastwell will continue to work on little cherry disease after his retirement.
Surviving as a small grower
Sam Godwin has strategies for staying competitive.
SugarBee causes a buzz
The variety was developed in Minnesota from open-pollinated Honeycrisp.
Stinkbug taint in wine
Researchers studying BMSB in wine have found mixed results.
Domesticating mason bees
Mason bees are being propagated to supplement honeybees.
The growing threat of black stem borer
Years after invading from Asia, the insect is emerging as an apple tree pest.
Warner: The never-ending story list
Since joining the Good Fruit Grower staff, I’ve probably written close to 3,000 articles and my colleagues thousands more.
Growers rebuild after plum pox
Some Ontario growers have turned to wine grapes, while others are growing fresh stone fruit varieties.
New York wine varietal debuts
Goose Watch Winery was the first in the nation to offer the new wine varietal Aromella, made from a grape developed in Cornell’s breeding
Cornell’s grape choices
Historic breeding program takes the long road when it comes to new grapes.
Learning about new grape clones
National Grape Registry website contains useful information about wine grape clones.
Protect vines from the cold
Burying a spare cane provides insurance against very hard winters.
How to grow WA 38
The tip-bearing variety has pendant limbs.
Stinkbug continues its spread
Northwest growers should be on the lookout for brown marmorated stinkbug
Hort program highlights food safety
Grant will help WSTFA provide training for new FDA regulations.
Expo preview: Growers seek peach varieties that are hardier
Thoughts on new peaches to fill in gaps during the season
Labor tops list of concerns for Grower of the Year
Worker worries
Grower of the Year learns more through industry involvement
Learning from the board
Fruitful fortitude: 2015 Grower of the Year
After taking over the farm at 25, Brenton Roy grew a solid reputation one crop at a time.
New ways of doing business: 2015 Grower of the Year
Oasis Farms settles on V-trellis with arches, makes move to Geneva.
Preview the 111th Washington Hort Show
It should come as no surprise that the biggest challenge for Western growers this year plays a starring role at the Washington State Tree Fruit
Learn about Michigan’s Expo: Fruit variety showcase
New and notable apples highlight of 2015 Great Lakes Expo.