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Many WAFLA workers cleared to cross border
(Updated June 18) Nearly 200 workers who were designated for cherry harvest in Washington have
Organic exemption expected soon
(TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower photo illustration) The U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon
Broetje Orchards to pay $2.25 million fine for hiring illegal immigrants
Broetje Orchards of Washington State, one of the country’s largest apple growers, has agreed to
Oregon Cherry Growers co-op positioned for growth
Cooperative is focused on expanding value-added products.
China’s ag agency says yes to all varieties of U.S. apples
(TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower photo illustration) The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that
Cherries harvested as berries
A Utah researcher joins others who want to change how cherries are grown and harvested.
Fixing H-2A
Agricultural Employers new president Fred Leitz sees it as top priority.
Get ready for H-2A paperwork
H-2A has its faults, but it’s not about to go away.
Who needs health coverage?
Seasonal workers, including guest workers, might qualify.
New way with H-2A
Organizations work out ways to make H-2A labor program more user-friendly.
Making workers take breaks is not always easy
Attorneys advise growers to ensure their workers take rest breaks so they don’t fall foul
New farm-worker housing opens
The Cashmere, Washington, facility can house 200 people.
Sharing workers saves costs
Small growers who can’t justify the high costs of employing foreign guest workers
H-2A is doable – with help
Get the housing and transportation parts right, growers advise.
Make sure workers are happy
Supervisors must treat them with dignity and respect.
Growers League opens farmworker housing
Congressman Dan Newhouse, left, learns about farmworker housing from Mike Gempler of the Washington
Lowering injuries by reducing ladder work
The shift to pedestrian orchards gives workers a safer footing.
Dealing with DACA
Programs allow undocumented workers to defer deportation, but present pitfalls for employers.
Child care could expand labor pool
Providing child care could allow women to work more hours.
Litigation lurks
Attorneys are looking for opportunities to sue, says a grower who’s spent years fighting a frivolous lawsuit.
Labor flow changes direction
Changes in Mexico are reducing the pool of workers available to U.S. growers.
Wine wastewater permits are coming
Final rules for Washington State wineries expected by next spring.
Automated pruning with robotics
Robots can follow pruning rules as well as humans, but a key was writing the rules.
Arctic apple Q&A: Expect more GMO apples in the pipeline
Okanagan Specialty Fruits plans to submit more GMO apple varieties for deregulation within the year.
Few bees in vineyards
Grape pest practices in Washington aren’t harming bees.
Growers urged to join stewardship project
Agriculture in Washington has not been affected by growth management regulations—yet.
Health Canada approves Arctic apples for growth and sale
Health Canada has approved two varieties of Arctic apples, Arctic Granny Smith and Arctic Golden
Judge blisters EEOC for "frivolous" case against growers
A federal judge has issued a blistering critique of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, saying
Washington governor declares drought in three regions
Expected water volumes from snow pack in Washington show several areas below 50 percent
Fine growth regulator receives EPA approval
Fine Americas, Inc., has received a Section 3 registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Bees as flying doctors
Honeybees deliver brown rot control to sweet cherry orchards.
What should growers do before the piece rate ruling?
Attorneys suggest how to protect yourself from being sued.
Millions of dollars at stake in piece-rate case
Workers and employers can attend Washington State Supreme Court hearing in Toppenish on payment for rest breaks.
Why telling our story matters: Good Point
Jon DeVaney By Jon DeVaney While not yet ratified, an agreement on a
DeVaney: Why telling our story matters
Jon DeVaney By Jon DeVaney While not yet ratified, an agreement on a
Search continues for stinkbug predators
Will brown marmorated stinkbug take hold in desert climates?
Make the most of biocontrol
Beneficial insects and mites can play a role in controlling key orchard pests if they’re
Let us (not) spray
Entomologists test alternative ways of applying plant protection materials to trees.
Crab apple pruning demos
Two pruning demonstrations have been scheduled this month to help orchardists understand how to prune
Ag job fairs planned in Eastern Washington
Agricultural job fairs have been announced for three communities in Eastern Washington centered on educating
SWD research continues
Great progress has been made in the last five years in learning about spotted wing
Fryhover: USDA’s Arctic apple decision means differentiation and education will be imperative
Todd Fryhover The recent approval by USDA of the Arctic apple brands wasn't
Corr: Was USDA’s GMO decision a black cat crossing America’s orchards?
Non-browning GMO Arctic Granny and Arctic Golden. (Courtesy Okanagan Specialty Fruits) To hear
Sign up for free pesticide disposal
Washington growers looking to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides for free need to contact the
Worker education is a priority at Klipsun Vineyards
Lots of eyes in the vineyard help Julia Kock stay on top of things.
Hands-on winemaking: Owen Roe
O’Reilly’s minimalist approach to winemaking is labor intensive.
China agrees to accept all varieties of U.S. apples
The reciprocal agreement will allow China to ship apples into the United States.
Packing apples in Italy
Presizing and presorting apples into storage changes the way apples are packed in Italy.
Beating the odds
Packing lines should be designed with more concern about food safety, says fruit grower and packer Warren Morgan.
Washington Growers League meets Jan. 22 in Yakima
The Washington Growers League will hold its 2015 Annual Meeting and Labor Conference on Thursday,