Project Description
Labor
Featured stories about labor topics — and more — in this issue.
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Peach growers optimize advantages of local loyalty
Regional peach production still powers Midwest retail sales.
Nonprofit center cultivating innovation with ag workforce
Fruit worker aims to patent picking harness with help of new nonprofit.
Apple growers facing a crisis in rising guest-worker wage rates
Michigan growers struggle to afford H-2A wage increases.
Fruit industry groups focused on preventing sexual harassment
Ag safety center funds push for more training throughout the industry.
Michigan vineyards moving toward mechanization
Grape growers turn to technology and H-2A to make up for labor shortfalls.
Internship program introduces students to ag careers
Fruit company partners with local school district to launch new approach to internships, with hopes to inspire other ag employers.
High costs and low prices causing double bind for apple growers
New York growers feel squeeze on labor costs.
New tools track worker-safe weather data
Washington university experts partner to develop tools to help growers comply with new heat safety rules.
Ladder businesses still standing in orchard industry
Orchard ladder manufacturers see little business decline despite platforms and dwarfing trees.
On the spectrum, on the farm
Autistic workers can thrive in a fruit-growing environment.
Good Point: Bulletin basics for pesticide applications
New EPA program — “Bulletins Live! Two” — aims to protect endangered species from pesticides.
Good Stuff, May 1, 2024
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers
Manuel Vargas, a young grower from Jardín, Colombia
Manuel grew up on a coffee farm and graduated with a degree from Universidad de Antioquia in Colombia. He’s the first in his family to grow tree fruit. He is now working for Joe Rasch Orchards, in Sparta, Michigan and is married to Katie (Rasch) Vargas and is the son of Ligia Marin and Gabriel Vargas.
Washington State University launches name contest for WA 64 apple
Washington State University is seeking the public’s help to select a brand name for its latest apple release...
Columbia River Gorge groups push online forms to report unmanaged fruit trees
Industry groups in the Columbia River Gorge region between Washington and Oregon have developed online reporting systems for unmanaged orchards and backyard fruit trees...