Recent Columns
Thurlby: Fruitful thinking
Northwest cherry growers hope to take advantage of market opportunities in 2022.
Willett: The past and future of codling moth control
Looking back on past success can help the industry meet current pest management challenges.
Martinez: Help wanted
Labor recruiter provides perspective on H-2A, responsible recruitment and the ag labor shortage.
Good to Know: Pay attention to paraquat
Following safety concerns in registration review, restricted-use herbicide now has additional requirements for handlers and applicators.
Benedict: Washington invests in soil
The state’s soil health initiative will combine long-term research and incentives to encourage adoption of recommended practices.
Dininny: Tell us about you
Take part in our quick online survey to help us plan our coverage for the upcoming season.
Hansen: Research provides phylloxera knowledge — Video
Risk assessment map shows Washington soils in many growing regions are conducive to phylloxera.
Hoheisel: Chilling insights — Video
New model to predict blueberry cold hardiness, developed with years of bud damage data, now available on WSU’s AgWeatherNet.
Witherbee: Nutrition to tuition — A history of WAEF
Outgoing Washington Apple Education Foundation leader reflects on past, looks to future.
Scharlau: Leadership of tomorrow
Washington’s AgForestry Leadership Program reflects on its origins and looks to the future.
Good to Know: Integrated research
Entomologists at the USDA laboratory in Wapato, Washington, work to advance IPM for orchards.
Knight: The prescription for effective monitoring of codling moth
Two decades of research yields non-pheromone lure composed of plant volatiles, acetic acid.
Scharlau: Rebels with a sustainable cause
Washington wine leaders worked long and hard to finally reach “the Standard.”
Torres: New alternative for superficial scald
A plant-derived antioxidant oil proves comparable to synthetic controls now banned in some export markets.
Schmidt-Jeffris: Predator applications
How can growers successfully release beneficial insects for pest control? New USDA research effort aims to find out.
Good to Know: Breeding insights
The USDA’s efforts bring bioinformatics approach to advance specialty crop breeding.
DeVaney: A new year ahead
After these unprecedented years, the tree fruit industry should take the opportunity to reflect on our successes so far and the opportunities ahead of us.
Dininny: Another year of Good Fruit tidings
We’re looking forward to joining you at the hort shows and beyond.
Good to Know: Dialing in disease control
Best practices for fungicide stewardship.
Hansen: Shining the light on collaboration
Research collaboration is helping to bring global awareness to Washington wines.
Matson: Weather the storm
Preparing for progress toward smoother sailing is the vision of the WSTFA annual meeting.
May: Improving industry input channels
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission implements changes to increase stakeholder relevance.
Lyons: Harnessing the power of international e-marketing
As more consumers find their fresh fruit online, Washington Apple Commission is up to the challenge.
Dininny: We’re growing forward this fall
New circulation coordinator joins Good Fruit Grower.
Good to Know: Ten pruning rules
Universal techniques that deliver high yields and packouts of apples and pears.
Moffitt: Still fresh after 90 years
Social media marketing and “Pearsonality” graphics introduce consumers to pears.
Rayapati: Know your viruses
The importance of diagnostic testing for the management of viral diseases in vineyards.
Epstein: Moving targets for MRLs
Maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides on fruit have become extremely dynamic and the Northwest Horticultural Council is working to keep the Pacific Northwest tree fruit industry ahead of the curve.
Good to Know: Approaching apricots in 2D
Training trees with multiple leaders and no branches can quicken investment returns.
Good to Know: Evaluations are underway
How the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission evaluates the strongest contenders from the WSU apple breeding program.
Thurlby: Make room for blooms
Cherry industry takes notes on last season’s success and invests in healthy markets for 2021.
Prengaman: Fresh eyes and opportunities
Good Fruit Grower ad sales team gains a new leader and new team member.
Witherbee: Apple pride pays off
Students are already benefiting from nearly $16,000 in scholarships raised in first-year sales of Washington apples specialty license plate.
Good to Know: Is apple powdery mildew on a surge?
WSU research uncovers pathogen’s genetic diversity but finds no emerging resistance and plenty of viable tools for organic and conventional growers.
Tynan: Hopes for labor reform
The compromise approach in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act garnered bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, but can it go the political distance?
Good to Know: How soil structure improves root health
Aggregates, or bits of soil, with different sizes are ideal for trees.
Dininny: Celebrating 25 years for Doug Button
Good Fruit Grower sees transition in advertising team.
Good to Know: Harnessing fungi power
How soil fungi could reduce fertilizer needs and improve grapevine growth.
Good to Know: Cherry diversification
Eleven new cultivars to consider.
New task force tackles codling moth
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission created team of nearly 30 to take the lead in managing the pest.
Critzer: $7 million investment in food safety decision aid
A new SCRI grant funds scientists and economists to help fresh produce producers better protect produce safety.
Hansen: Far-reaching research is just getting started
The results of Washington Wine’s research program benefit industry, environment, community and consumers.
Scharlau: Front row seats for all
With its virtual format, Washington Winegrowers’ signature event will look at the opportunities found in 2020 and the path forward.
Snyder: Agriculture is essential for a fruitful future
This year’s WSTFA Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo is going to a virtual platform.
Fryhover: Allow apple competition
With exports falling, the Washington Apple Commission looks to focus on home court strength.
Hansen: Going for stable and sustainable
Washington Wine’s research program forging ahead with record-breaking funding.
Roche: Mechanical fruitlet thinning
New tool shows promise in trials by French researchers, especially when paired with mechanical bloom thinning.
Prengaman: 2020 revision
We're going on, just like you.
Brandt: Global brands offer value
The enduring success of Pink Lady shows why critical mass matters for fruit branding.
Fazio: Let’s make this work
When MSNBC and farmers agree, folks should listen in D.C.