Project Description
Growers of the Year
Featured stories about the Good Fruit Growers of the Year.
Click here to view a PDF version of this issue.
Nick Ferrari, Young Grower from Linden, California
family background/ Fourth-generation farmer in the San Joaquin Valley. Nick has volunteered with several young grower groups and is involved with converting older
How does smoke affect wine grapes?
Researcher tests the effects of wildfire smoke on grapes and wine
Industry groups lend plenty of opportunities for growers to get involved
In Washington’s tree fruit industry, three state commissions, four federal marketing orders, numerous nonprofit associations and a few advisory committees all intertwine to create a
Finding the right people
Orchards and packing houses aren’t the only places in the fruit industry with a labor shortage. Universities also are struggling to hire researchers and educators needed to keep the industry ahead of pest pressures, prepared for food safety requirements, growing new varieties and in tune with emerging technology.
B.C. pest management strategies build on deep roots
Traps throughout Fred Steele’s orchard in Kelowna are the first line of defense against a horde of new pests that growers in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley face.
Coastal California apple growers hold on through relationship with Martinelli’s
Noah Gizdich walks through the north part of the family ranch in Watsonville, California, where the family has planted Newtown Pippins between older trees.
The GMO apple has arrived
“It’s not going away,” says Neal Carter of Okanagan Specialty Fruit.
Tracking fire blight
Jamie Coggins, a graduate student, and Bonnie Schonberg, a research technician, measure the effects of fire blight on apple trees during a trial at
RosBREED, part II
Consumers want great tasting fruit with few or no blemishes. Growers want that, too, but they also need fruit trees to be easier to grow
Robert: More cider apples are needed to meet soaring demand
Marcus Robert at Tieton Cider Works' cider orchard in Yakima, Washington in 2014. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower file photo) Why should anyone bother
Cold-hardy apple variety draws interest for hard ciders
Bill Mayo, shown here harvesting one of his 300 Honeycrisp trees, discovered the Franklin Cider Apple at the edge of his orchard in northern
WSU Extension plans 2017 winter tree fruit programs
Tree fruit producers and industry professionals are invited to five WSU Tree Fruit Extension Programs in North Central Washington on Jan. 16, 17, 18, 19
2017 Cherry Institute will be held Jan. 20 — Pear, WSFC nominations at annual meetings
Cherry Institute at the Yakima Convention Center (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower file photo) The 74th annual Cherry Institute is set for Jan. 20,
Hansen: Vineyard mechanization – Is grape quality impacted?
New research has the potential to save wine grape growers millions in labor costs.
Sazo: Recruiting – and keeping – workers
Participants who attended the 2016 Hispanic Summer Fruit Tour heard a presentation from Mario Miranda Sazo (right), Cornell Cooperative Extension fruit specialist, and Juan
Cosmic Crisp to be grown overseas: Hort Show Preview
Some Washington producers are caught off guard by international propagation plans for WA 38.
Introducing our Spanish website
I’m pleased to announce that Good Fruit Grower has launched a Spanish language website, goodfruit.com/es. There you’ll find translations of articles from past issues, new
A succession story: 2016 Growers of the year
Bill and Mark Zirkle credit teamwork for company’s growth and fruitful legacy.
Diversity wins: 2016 Growers of the year
Blueberries, wine grapes are among Zirkle Fruit’s most recent endeavors.
Orchards under cover: Hort Show Preview
In early study results, WSU researchers find multiple benefits to netting fruit trees.
Mega-trends in produce: Hort Show Preview
Wal-Mart executive explains why growers are now serving "purposeful" consumers.
Cosmic Crisp insights: Hort Show Preview
Washington beefs up education ahead of plantings of new variety.
Sessions engage Spanish speakers: Hort Show Preview
Spanish presentation topics at WSTFA annual meeting range from pesticide handling to economics.
Tree fruit technology roadmap : Hort Show Preview
“Continuous Change,” the theme of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association 112th Annual Meeting, is a familiar challenge to the Washington tree fruit industry. Every
Washington State hires tree fruit extension specialist
Rob Blakey, shown here in a Pasco, Washington, orchard, specializes in postharvest issues. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower) Washington State University has hired Rob
Jesus Ramos, Young Grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/ Jesus, son of Javier and Irma Ramos, is the first in his immediate family to attend high school and college. He
Center for Produce Safety awards research grants
The Center for Produce Safety has awarded more than $2 million toward 10 new research projects directed at answering critical questions in specific areas for
Oviedo is new regulatory information specialist at NHC
Marisol Oviedo Marisol Oviedo is the new regulatory information specialist for the Northwest Horticultural Council. Oviedo has a bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry from
Prengaman joins Good Fruit Grower
Kate Prengaman Kate Prengaman, an award-winning science writer, has been named associate editor of Good Fruit Grower. A resident of Yakima, Washington, Prengaman