Project Description
Labor & Economics
Featured stories about labor and economics appear in this issue.
New Zealand growers tackle labor shortage
The most expensive element in a vineyard is the labor required to produce the grapes, but for Kim Crawford and other New Zealand wineries, laborers
Family farms need leadership
Management can be a difficult issue in many family farms because of the closeness of the family members, Aaron Clark noted during the Washington Women
Protect the family farm, ag women urged
Mary Lou Peterson is the first female county commissioner in Okanogan, and runs orchards with her husband, Dan. Photo by Geraldine Warner Farm women are strong
Project seeks to improve worker skills
A broad group of agricultural industries, labor representatives, work force training organizations, and a non-profit organization is working together in Oregon to create a more
Go over the row to reduce costs, boost returns
A simple mock-up shows the idea behind the over-the-row platfom that is being developed. A team of research and Extension people in the Pacific Northwest
How will platforms impact workers?
Getting rid of ladders should not only make the orchard a safer place, but might open up orchard jobs to a larger pool of people.
New Latino viticulture program launched
The first Latino viticulture education program in Washington State doesn’t open its classroom doors until November, but already, the state’s wine industry has raised more
Robotic harvester will selectively thin and pick fruit
A robotic harvester being developed by Vision Robotics employs a two-step approach. First, a scout system maps the location of the fruit on the tree.
Fresh research on cherry health benefits
Scientists say eating fresh Bing cherries might help fight the inflammation of arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. In a study conducted by chemist Dr. Darshan
How are you attracting and retaining the labor force you need?
Micky George Grower and shipper, Sultana, California Providing benefits “We will continue doing what we’ve been doing for a long time,” said Micky George,
Northwest sweet cherry crop full of potential
SOURCE: David Severn, Washington State Fruit Commission Though early season estimates for the 2006 Pacific Northwest sweet cherry crop show potential for a record 14.1
Recognizing and preventing heat stress
Hot summer days are ahead, and it is time to refresh our knowledge in the recognition, prevention, and first aid of heat-related disorders. Working outdoors
Concentrating flavors
Wise use of deficit irrigation can help growers make the most of limited water supplies and pay off in concentrated flavors—at least in red grapes.
Cooling off grapes
John Farmer, left, and Luke Ransom check bud development of Barbera grapes, one of the earliest varieties to break at Alder Ridge Vineyards near Paterson,
On-farm irrigation trials
Grape grower Mike Sauer is not afraid to experiment on a small scale with different irrigation regimes. Sometimes, the practices work, while other times, he’s
Growing good crops of large fruit
The first month after bloom is a critical time for ensuring that apples reach their full potential size at harvest, according to Dr. Alan Lakso
Surround tested in grapes
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on the right were treated with the kaolin clay product Surround. Photo courtesy of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates A kaolin-based particle film
New irrigation specialist on board
Irrigation engineer Dr. R. Troy Peters, the new Washington State University Extension irrigation specialist, is eager to help growers improve their irrigation management techniques and