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How growing is going global
International nursery groups revamp to keep up with and drive the world of managed varieties.
Food safety first
New Borton Fruit facility, designed from ground up with food safety in mind, expected to reduce risks and costs.
Jaden and John Griggs, young growers from Orondo, Washington
family background/ Jaden and John are the fifth generation to work on the family farm. Jaden will attend the University of Montana, majoring in business, sales and marketing this fall, and John graduated from Wenatchee Valley College’s tree fruit program.
New round of trade help
Federal government announces new wave of trade mitigation programs.
Sprayers, bin trailers and pie, oh my: Final day of the IFTA tour in Ontario ends on a sweet note
When the Botden family immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands almost 20 years ago, they brought tractors and other equipment with them to start their new orchards in the Georgian Bay region of Canada.
Neil Jones makes price offer for canning pears
Neil Jones Food Co. has agreed to pay canning pear growers a price lower than
Josh Heinicke, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
https://youtu.be/4-7Uy5qsYwQ family background / Josh is the fourth generation of his family in farming and
Defining organics
Northwest tree fruit industry speaks up when Seattle hosts the National Organic Standards Board.
India pulls trigger on apple tariffs
After delaying for a year, country increases retaliatory duties on apples.
Michigan apple shippers combine forces
Two Michigan apple shippers are joining forces on sales and marketing, BelleHarvest and Michigan Fresh
U.S. ITC finds merit in tart cherry producers’ claim of harm by Turkish imports
American producers of dried tart cherries make a reasonable case that they are being injured
Northwest fresh pear growers anticipate a solid crop
Pear Bureau Northwest announced in a news release the first official fresh pear crop estimate
Cosmic Crisp partners with Crunch Pak and Litehouse
Cosmic Crisp, the new apple variety developed by Washington State University as WA 38, will
Matthew Hendrickson fills new staff position at USApple
Matthew Hendrickson The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release that Matthew Hendrickson will
Seneca closing pear processing plant
Seneca Foods plans to close its Sunnyside, Washington, fruit processing facility after the 2019 pear
More Northwest-grown Bartlett pears went to fresh market in 2018
For the first time, more Northwest-grown Bartlett pears headed into the fresh market than the
Cherry marketers testing foreign waters
Northwest Cherries experiments with developing markets in three Southeast Asian nations.
USDA announces $16 billion in trade aid to farmers for 2019
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced a second round of financial assistance to farmers hurt by recent trade wars — $16 billion worth of direct payments, surplus commodity purchases and new export market development. This follows the
Mexico lifts tariff on U.S. apples
Mexico announced today the lifting of a 20 percent tariff on U.S. apples, after the
Canadian nursery launches tissue culture lab
This week, Upper Canada Growers announced the opening of a new tissue culture laboratory in
Erin Carlson, a young grower from Summerland, British Columbia
https://youtu.be/j6nyF1ohOQQ family background/ Erin received her agriculture degree in organics at the University of Guelph
Thurlby: Another season of hope is upon us
Northwest Cherries President B.J. Thurlby looks ahead at another season of hope, with a solid plan in place.
Working holidays a lifestyle for some ag workers
Traveling, camping workers pitch in for British Columbia’s busy tree fruit season.
More changes for BC Tree Fruits
British Columbia’s largest fruit company has purchased land on which to build a new packing
Recruiting researchers requires patience
Even with an endowment, finding the right experts is a long process.
Seneca to close pear plant
Seneca Foods plans to close its Sunnyside, Washington, fruit processing facility in the fall
Arctic Fuji apple receives FDA approval
The Arctic Fuji apple. (Courtesy Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.) Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.,
Packaging options for Cosmic Crisp
Universal packaging design will ensure consistent branding across the industry.
Michael Mitterer, a young grower from Kastelbell, South Tyrol, Italy
https://youtu.be/9wuHYXJaAio family background / Michael grew up working at his family farm in the Alps
Grading on a Cosmic scale
Industry committee sets grade standards for new WSU-bred apple variety slated for commercial release this year.
Crafting rosé with intention
Pink wine creates new market, new approach to fruit quality.
Merlot up again after the ‘Sideways Effect’
Merlot back on the rise, 15 years after movie slam.
BC Tree Fruits hires CEO, CFO
BC Tree Fruits, a grower cooperative that packs most of British Columbia’s apples, has permanently
Gallo acquires wine brands and production facilities in California, Washington and New York
E. & J. Gallo Winery announced April 3 that it has entered into an agreement
New Jersey Peach Promotion Council welcomes new board members
Erica Shiles The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council announced in a news release
Industry veteran Jamie Peha appointed as executive director of Auction of Washington Wines
Jamie Peha The Auction of Washington Wines has named industry veteran Jamie Peha
Washington researchers get a look at European innovations
Research commission tour finds some exciting ideas but no major advances on technology tour in Germany and the Netherlands.
Punjabi growers help advance British Columbia’s tree fruit industry
Hardworking heritage and willingness to invest are keys to success for some families.
Robotic picking machine’s first apple harvest underway: Video
Abundant Robotics debuts robotic harvester in New Zealand apple orchard for first harvest headed to market.
Lessons in supply and demand for wine grape growers
Wine broker describes transition period from shortage to excess.
Headwinds approaching Washington wine industry
Analysts concur: Wine grape growers will need to be innovative in today’s rapidly evolving market.
WSU wine research seminar on April 17 to focus on smoke exposure
The impact of smoke taint from wildfires is the focus of the Washington Advancements in Viticulture and Enology (WAVEx) research seminar on April 17 in Richland, Washington.
Record 2018 blueberry crop plants Oregon in No. 1 spot
Earliblue blueberry growing in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 2011. The blueberry crop is booming
Cornell analysis of N.Y. apple industry reveals bigger economic impact
Cornell University researchers, using a new, more precise framework for economic impact analysis, found the New York apple industry has a 21 percent larger economic impact compared to traditional models.
USA Pears making first appearance at South by Southwest
USA Pears will be part of the Wellness Expo at the 2019 South by Southwest
Sale of Broetje Orchards creates FirstFruits Farms
New owner plans to continue many employee-support programs created by Broetje.
Trade mitigation funds approved for Washington apples
The Washington Apple Commission will receive nearly $8.5 million through the USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion
USApple announces 2019 Young Apple Leaders
The U.S. Apple Association announced its class of 2019 Young Apple Leaders, a group of
Winegrowers kicks off
Attendees who braved the recent snowfall in the Pacific Northwest take a short break
BC Tree Fruits restructures
International Fruit Tree Association tour attendees participate in a hard cider tasting session in