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Concord grape prices still disappoint
Low prices continue, though juice grape growers haul in good production.
Mid-Columbia pear grower position up for nomination
Pear growers will elect nominees for positions on the Fresh Pear Committee (FPC) of Marketing
Mercer to be honored with Rising Star Award
Rob Mercer, owner of Mercer Estates Winery, will be honored with the Rising Star Award
Additional scholarships available for Washington farmers market convention
The Washington State Farmers Market Association has received funding for an additional 25 specialty crop
Wine grape industry continues hot growth
About three tons of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are transferred to a gondola for transport
Grape Society presents its annual awards
The Washington State Grape Society presented three industry awards at the annual meeting in November
Nick Ferrari, Young Grower from Linden, California
family background/ Fourth-generation farmer in the San Joaquin Valley. Nick has volunteered with
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
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,
The GMO apple has arrived
“It’s not going away,” says Neal Carter of Okanagan Specialty Fruit.
U.S., New Zealand win WTO ag dispute with Indonesia
A World Trade Organization settlement panel on Dec. 22 ruled that Indonesia’s restrictions on horticultural
Tracking fire blight
Jamie Coggins, a graduate student, and Bonnie Schonberg, a research technician, measure the effects
RosBREED, part II
Consumers want great tasting fruit with few or no blemishes. Growers want that, too, but
Robert: More cider apples are needed to meet soaring demand
Marcus Robert at Tieton Cider Works' cider orchard in Yakima, Washington in 2014. (TJ
Pazazz hits market early
Pazazz, a new apple variety from Honeybear Brands, was expected to hit stores early. The apple
Cold-hardy apple variety draws interest for hard ciders
Bill Mayo, shown here harvesting one of his 300 Honeycrisp trees, discovered the Franklin
WSU Extension plans 2017 winter tree fruit programs
Tree fruit producers and industry professionals are invited to five WSU Tree Fruit Extension Programs
Fresh Pear Committee nominations set for January meeting
Pear growers will elect nominees for positions on the Fresh Pear Committee of Marketing Order
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)
Hansen: Vineyard mechanization – Is grape quality impacted?
New research has the potential to save wine grape growers millions in labor costs.
WSTFA annual meeting — Wednesday wrapup
Hermann Thoennissen: Get the stakeholders together, develop a farm transition plan and be consistent
Day two of the WSTFA annual meeting, afternoon summary – Video
Melissa Partyka, a staff research associate for the Western Center for Food Safety, encouraged
Day two of the WSTFA annual meeting, morning summary – Videos
Mark De Kleine talks about strengthening trellises on prevailing wind rows during the 112th
Wrapping up day one of the WSTFA annual meeting – Video
Two words can sum up Monday afternoon’s session of the 112th annual meeting of the
Day 1, Washington hort show, morning summary – Video
Sam Godwin, opens the 112th Annual Meeting and Northwest Hort Expo on December 5,
Cosmic Crisp to be grown overseas: Hort Show Preview
Some Washington producers are caught off guard by international propagation plans for WA 38.
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.
Washington State hires tree fruit extension specialist
Rob Blakey, shown here in a Pasco, Washington, orchard, specializes in postharvest issues. (TJ
Jesus Ramos, Young Grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/ Jesus, son of Javier and Irma Ramos, is the first in
Meeting date changed for Washington/ Oregon Processed Pear nominations
The meeting date for nominations for grower and handler positions for the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear
Spraying with precision — Video
Cornell researcher offers tips for making your grandfather’s sprayer more effective, but says precision sprayers are the future.
Matson leads industry in automated cold storage technology — Video
Pallets stand five racks high, cramped, dark and sci-fi eerie. Robotic cranes, guided
Washington’s 2016 Concord grape harvest is up, as are prices
Washington Concord juice grape growers expect to harvest about 194,000 tons of fruit in 2016,
Share your know-how and grow-how — Great Lakes Expo preview
Expert view: Individual growers must take on customer fears about GMOs and chemicals.
Washington’s apple crop forecast just got bigger
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association has increased the forecast of the 2016 apple crop
Scharlau: Advocacy – slow, incremental, and over time
It seems we are the victims of our own inaction. This month we will vote
Creators of vacuum harvester aim to have machines ready in 2018
Dan Steere, left, and Curt Salisbury, co-founders of Abundant Robotics Inc. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit
The long and tricky path to automated picking — Video
Vacuum picker under development brings the apple industry closer than ever to automating harvest.
Pierre Paradis, Young Grower from Silverton, Oregon
family background / Pierre is the son of Peter and Donna Paradis, who
Growers who innovate in the Golden State
California apple growers hang in there and invest with focus on fresh market.
The solitary orchard
A tour of Byron Albano’s orchards in California’s Cuyama Valley in March. The orchards
Okanagan Specialty Fruits closer to consumer marketing of GMO apple
The non-browning Arctic Golden Delicious Apple (Courtesy of Neal Carter) Okanagan Speciality Fruits,