Recently published articles featured on Good Fruit Grower.
Breaking down “break even” for apple growers
New cost-of-production budgets from WSU show challenges apple growers face for economic stability.
Another downer for Washington juice grape growers
Growers grapple with Washington juice-grape cash price that continues to decline.
Price pivots for apple producers
Growers seeking greater profits in organic and direct-retail markets.
Widespread wage increases for US growers
Northwest growers face a 2.9 percent rise, many other regions see steeper increases.
Growers grappling with laws, labor and lawsuits
New laws push farm labor union efforts in New York and California.
Cherry identification down to the DNA details
Genetic experts say preliminary DNA screening can prevent intellectual property disputes.
Good Stuff, January 1, 2025
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
The SKU view for the apple category
The apple industry navigates a new era as retailers seek to cull the apple category to the top-performing varieties.
Fresh transitions for Michigan cherry growers
Michigan growers tightening sweet cherry plantings.
Working out the bugs with sterile spotted wing drosophila
Gene-edited spotted wing drosophila research reaches field-trial stage.
Claire Rasch, a young grower from Grand Rapids, Michigan
Claire is a fifth-generation farmer planning to attend Washington State University for an agribusiness degree. She has one sister, Eva, and is the daughter of Sarah and John Rasch.
Growers getting lawmakers to tune in to labor problems
Michigan groups band together to fight rising H-2A wages.
Automated apple harvester and in-field sorter advancing in trials
U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan State University collaborate on multitasking machine.
Removing leaves and retracting netting both boost apple color
Two methods prove effective in Washington State University study.
Old Mission makeover from trees to vines
Couple provides crucial vineyard management on Michigan peninsula.
Armillaria armor in the orchard
The search for an Armillaria-resistant rootstock for cherries continues.
Sticking with predators for pest management
Crop consultants use sticky card traps to monitor beneficial insect populations.
Longtime growers share a moment of reckoning on the road to resilience
To go from survival mode to being prepared to prosper on the other side of the present downturn, industry leaders recommend removing the blocks that are bleeding out.
Next-gen nutrition for vineyards
Scientists making progress on the puzzle pieces for a precision approach to fertilizer applications that could improve grape quality, protect the environment and save growers money.
New economic assistance fund created for specialty crop producers
On Dec. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened a new $2 billion economic assistance program for specialty crop producers..
More moth math needed for Washington orchards
As sterile codling moth applications grow in Washington, so do questions about the conditions under which the treatment performs well.
Good to Know: Sterile moth 101
Experts from British Columbia’s sterile insect release program share the answers to their most frequently asked questions.
Washington State University names WA 64 apple Sunflare
Washington State University has given its newest apple, WA 64, the official trade name Sunflare...
A new look at labor costs for apple growers
By crunching apple growers’ financial records, Northwest Horticultural Council hopes to draw attention to critical need for H-2A policy reform.
Dininny: We can find hope in hard times together
Despite today's obstacles, there are still paths to better days ahead.
DeVaney: Growers are not OK
Sometimes, it’s necessary to admit that.
Hort Show preview: Uninformed foodie fight
WSTFA keynote speaker to discuss how to push back against critics who don’t understand farming.
EXPO preview: Talking about your regeneration
Great Lakes EXPO speaker shares approaches to regenerate your soil, your plants and your bottom line.
Leading by listening: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
A mix of people skills and horticultural expertise earn Tom Gausman of AgriMACS in Chelan, Washington, the 2024 Grower of the Year award from Good Fruit Grower.
Seeing the big picture: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Tom Gausman shares lessons on developing large orchards.
Rise of the orchard manager: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Outside investment and increased need for management mark Grower of the Year Tom Gausman’s career.
More federal judges block provisions of H-2A rule
Two more federal judges have blocked parts of the new H-2A regulations intended to grant workers more protection from potential abuses and give them rights to conduct union-like activities...
Precision prescription for vineyard researcher
U.S. Department of Agriculture hires an ag engineer for new viticulture research role for the Northwest wine industry.
North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days Jan. 21–23 and Feb. 6
Washington State University Tree Fruit Extension announced in a news release its annual Tree Fruit Day programs in North Central Washington...
Farmfluencers building brands for their farms
Branding brings benefits and drawbacks for agritourism.
Leo Sarmiento, a young grower from East Wenatchee, Washington
family background/ Leo graduated from Wenatchee Valley College and Washington State University with a degree in business administration. He is the son of Margarita and Francisco Sarmiento.
Washington State Grape Society honors industry leaders at annual meeting
Among the presentations on topics such as technology, pest control and industry economics, the Washington State Grape Society bestowed industry awards on Nov. 21 at its annual meeting in Grandview...
Quest for automated apple harvest continues
Robot company advanced.farm returns to Washington for another harvest of fine-tuning.
Trellis tryout for peach production
Ohio growers share experiences with planar peach plantings.
Good Stuff, November 2024
BX opens its new U.S. headquarters in Yakima Ben Bardsley, CEO and founder of BX,
Change of hue for Washington vineyards
As Washington’s red wine grape tide falls, whites are on the rise.
Good Point: Navigating a season of adversity
Northwest fruit industry gathers next month to learn from a challenging 2023–24 crop and chart better paths forward.
Grand Rapids gathering
2024 Great Lakes EXPO packed with fruit sessions.
Hansen: Winterizing wine grapes
Practices to prepare vineyards for dormancy under study at Washington State University.
Vineyard pruning approach cut cold damage after frigid weather
Washington wine grape growers’ freeze response ushered in a full crop.
Dininny: Changing as we grow on
Your favorite fruit magazine is resizing to a slightly smaller format beginning in 2025. Think 10 row instead of 9.
A three-for-all approach to orchard systems
Cornerstone Ranches stays the course with three-leader V-trellis system, regardless of variety.
Growers and food groups overcoming an apple oversupply
West Virginia growers and government pivoting with surplus of processing apples.
Sweet stops on California stone fruit tour
International Fruit Tree Association summer tour sweeps through California’s stone fruit industry.
Studies reveal a bitter pit breakdown
Michigan State University research into Honeycrisp physiology shows timing is key for managing bitter pit.