May 1, 2026

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Labor

Featured stories about agricultural labor — and more — in this issue.

Shahnnen Elizabeth-Head feeds her sheep a few treats, but they mostly forage on cover crops and unwanted shoots and suckers in the vineyard, providing key canopy management at the certified regenerative vineyard in White Salmon, Washington. (Kate Prengaman/Good Fruit Grower)

Ewe‑nique employees helping a farm thrive

A horizontal grinder grinds trees into wood chips in a California almond orchard. Regulations prevent San Joaquin Valley growers from burning trees or vines, so many grind them into wood chips and incorporate them back into the soil. (Courtesy Brent Holtz/University of California)

Chipping away at soil health

Michigan State University’s mifruitdecision.com, a new website where growers can access pesticide timing and efficacy data. Apples are the only fruit crop on the website so far, but researchers plan to add more crops. (Courtesy Michigan State University)

New digital tool for pesticide decisions in Michigan

H-2A workers prune a high-density apple block at Joe Rasch Orchards in Sparta, Michigan, in March 2024. Like other Michigan growers, farm managers Manuel and Katie Vargas are figuring out how much to pay their H-2A workers now that the program’s wage floor has been lowered. (Matt Milkovich/Good Fruit Grower)

Compensation contemplations for farm labor

Growers sow a productive partnership

Lupe Muñoz, a longtime Central Washington orchard manager, captains a cherry harvest in June 2025 for River Valley Fruit near Grandview, Washington. The Mexican immigrant received legal status during the 1986 amnesty program and became a U.S. citizen in 1991. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

Los jefes in Washington’s fruit industry

New trade tactics for tree fruit

Factoring the cost of compliance for farmers

From left, Washington State University’s Karen Lewis and Stefano Musacchi laugh with grower Scott McDougall during a preharvest field day for WA 38 apples in Quincy in 2022. While field days are part of the job for extension specialists, it was Lewis’ repertoire and relationships with growers that served her well throughout her career. (Kate Prengaman/Good Fruit Grower)

Changing hands and changing times for tree fruit extension team

May 1, 2026 — Digital Issue

Ryan Morales, a Washington State Department of Agriculture fruit inspector, runs a pressure test on an Envy apple in February at Allan Bros. Fruit in Naches, Washington. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

Quality controllers for fruit consumers

Good Stuff, May 1, 2026

Cornell University fruit extension specialist Mario Miranda Sazo, center, leads a pruning demonstration in Spanish at Joe Rasch Orchards in Sparta, Michigan, on March 28. Orchard manager Manuel Vargas stands just to Miranda Sazo’s right. (Courtesy Michigan Pomesters)

Cutting the language barrier for pruning crews

Dalia Ruiz, a young grower from Yakima, Washington

1986: Farm labor issues aired at hort meeting