ADVERTISEMENT
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Worker worries prompted walkouts
Additional safeguards and hazard pay were among the demands of workers that went on strike at seven Yakima-area packers in May. All walkouts were resolved by early June.
Backup plans underway for industry events
Groups brace for contingencies, even for events months in the future.
Another Cosmic lawsuit filed
Management company accuses nursery of illegal propagation of WA 38 trees.
Fruit industry questions eligibility for USDA direct payment program
Few tree fruit growers able to access benefits as program began.
Washington shippers making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts so distributors can supply nonprofits, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Apple industry appeals to USDA to revisit pandemic payment eligibility
USApple says the USDA used flawed approach that found most apple growers ineligible for support despite price declines and sales slowdowns
Auction of Washington Wines introduces virtual tasting series
Auction of Washington Wines announced in a news release a series of seven virtual taste-along
Farming amid the coronavirus
Growers find ways large and small to farm safely during the pandemic.
Coronavirus causing distancing disruptions
With regulations in flux on rules for housing temporary workers, many questions remain as the busy harvest time approaches.
Use extra caution when handling leave requests
With many new regulations, employment lawyer telling growers to "walk through it carefully."
States issue more coronavirus farming rules
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces several times a day is among new agricultural mandates from Washington Gov.
Prengaman: 2020 revision
We're going on, just like you.
Marketing pears in a pandemic
The Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meeting featured updates on marketing pivots and planning for the season ahead.
2020 USApple Outlook will be held virtually
The U.S. Apple Association will shift its Outlook 2020 Conference to a virtual event, still
United Fresh and Cornell University offer crisis leadership course
United Fresh announced in a news release a new United Fresh and Cornell University Executive
Apple, pear growers eligible for USDA pandemic relief fund
Tree fruit industry groups seek clarity on eligibility details for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Developing digital demand
Marketers scramble to create online impulse shopping for cherries post-coronavirus.
Two Washington shippers start making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts to distributors to supply nonprofits directly, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Washington allows bunk beds during pandemic
Bunk beds in Washington are still in. The state Department of Labor and Industries issued
Thurlby: A cherry market that no one has ever seen
Pandemic pressures push cherry promotions to quickly adapt to online shopping and digital marketing, but Northwest Cherry Growers is up to the challenge.
Vineyard mechanization putting people first
Even wineries that prefer hand-picked grapes can use mechanization as a tool to improve vineyard management.
Tree fruit groups respond to walkouts with crisis management advice
Tree fruit industry associations issued advice late Tuesday to production companies after workers at a
Washington provides free masks for farmworkers
The state of Washington is giving out 50,000 free cloth masks for farmworkers through agricultural
Phone apps automate labor management
More employees using phones to tap in and out as growers turn to phone apps to automate human resources and payroll.
Oregon delays pandemic rules enforcement
Action on bunk-bed ban postponed until June 1.
Pandemic puts labor in limbo
Canadian growers have relied on international farmworkers for decades, but the pandemic put the program in jeopardy.
Farmers prepare for housing during pandemic
Farm employer advice regarding the coronavirus rolls out as growers prepare for seasonal labor housing.
Farm market sales go on with social distancing
Farm markets adapt to pandemic measures.
Fazio: Let’s make this work
When MSNBC and farmers agree, folks should listen in D.C.
Tynan: Lessons learned from year one of FSMA farm inspections
First on-farm inspections under the Food Safety Modernization Act began in spring 2019.
Critzer and Gordon Nuñez: Ready for the FSMA future
A variety of resources available to help with training and implementation of food safety practices on the farm.
Oregon issues pandemic farming rules
Emergency regs ban bunk beds in worker housing.
Orchards facing an unwanted legacy
Washington environmental authorities look for ways to screen historic orchard properties for lead and arsenic of yesteryear.
Grapes without glyphosate
Moving toward IPM for weed control requires diversifying herbicides.
Dicamba drift decision: $265 million
Jury finds in favor of Missouri peach farmer.
A new chapter for growers
U.S. farm bankruptcies on the rise; changes to law further expand eligibility.
Coronavirus slows H-2A visas
U.S. State Department seeks middle ground to allow some seasonal ag workers.
Coronavirus uncertainty rattles the fruit industry
Coronavirus updates posted 04/12/2020 through 04/27/2020.
Codling moth comeback
Growers try variety of methods to check a possible codling moth resurgence.
It’s a matter of timing for codling moths
Entomologist reminds growers to use all the tools on time.
Federal judge rules against Zirkle
A federal judge has ruled against a Washington blueberry producer’s prevailing wage challenge and ordered
Prioritize the paperwork
Surveys can overwhelm; focus on those that help the industry.
Healthy farms need healthy farmers
Stress management tools aim to help farmers cultivate resilience and make good decisions during tough times.
WA 2 legal battles escalate
WSU files against Yakima grower for patent infringement of apple.
When the growing gets tough
Washington hort show speakers paint grim, but not hopeless, economic picture of the industry.
Chlorpyrifos ban proposed in Washington state
Washington state senators introduce bill to prohibit most uses of Lorsban.
Beth Brown, a young grower from Waterport, New York
Beth grew up working with her grandfather, Harold Henry, on their family farm in Eden Valley, New York, and later graduated with a business degree from State University of New York at Oswego.
More growers count in census count update
Ag census methodology change recognizes a broader array of growers.
H-2A poised for change
Proposed laws and regulations aim to make the H-2A program more affordable, accessible.