Recent Columns
Good Point: The industry needs apple advocates
Growers have great fruit to offer, the challenge is building domestic and export consumption.
Langager: The ABCs of LCAs
How life cycle assessments support regional strategies to address global climate change.
Moffitt: Mixing it up in marketing
Pear promotions find success with diversified strategies.
Good to Know: The road to release
How WSU and the tree fruit industry work together on cultivar commercialization.
Duflock: Advancing automation
Western Growers’ efforts support ag tech startups looking to tackle specialty crop automation solutions.
Van den Ende: Growth mindset
For late-season stone fruit, deficit irrigation can be timed to control canopy growth without impacting fruit size.
Good to Know: A planar plan for peaches
Michigan State University research is moving peach production into two dimensions.
Dininny: Have we got a job for you?
Now you can find out at goodfruit.com/jobs.
Good to Know: Take a bite out of blight
Trial compared cutting and sanitization strategies to find the best removal methods for fire blight strikes.
Good Point: Facing the future
Start a succession plan now to protect your family’s farming legacy later.
Thurlby: We asked, they answered
The consumer has the final say on Northwest cherries.
Powers: New leadership, same legacy
Washington State University’s new dean shares her experience and vision for a resilient future for Washington fruit.
Gastelum: Growing above and beyond
How to help your workers be successful in and out of the field.
Langager: Pesticide applicators face new EPA rules
Proposed endangered species measures will alter pesticide reviews.
McIlquham: Digging for health reports
WSU study investigates which soil health metrics matter in Washington wine grape vineyards.
Hansen: The fumigation fade
Washington vineyard research shows fumigation benefits for nematode control can be short-lived.
Dininny: Expanding en español
We’ve added a writer/translator to our team to grow our Spanish-language website.
Dininny: Strength in difficult days
Finding inspiration in New Zealand’s fruit community.
Langager: Commenting 101
The why and how of submitting comments to the federal government.
Good to Know: Production priorities for USDA research
At Appalachian Fruit Research Station, scientists focus on sustainable production for modern systems.
Good to Know: IPM with a phenology focus
Connecting pear psylla phenology with IPM strategies proves successful for Wenatchee Valley pear growers.
Hansen: Drones may help improve biocontrol in wine grapes
New research shows drones and attractant have potential to sustainably enhance beneficials in Washington vineyards.
Good to Know: Innovative research projects bearing fruit
USDA-ARS scientists combine traditional methods with biotechnology to advance tree fruit breeding processes.
Hansen: A clear objective for smoke research
Washington State Wine Commission is taking a multipronged approach.
Scharlau: A proactive pathway for problem-solving
Grape industries need collaborative approaches to the challenges they face.
O’Rourke: Columbia Basin’s bounty reshaped the fruit industry
Agricultural economist’s book highlights the Washington industry’s growing advantage in the Columbia Basin.
Dininny: December is for gathering together
For the 26th year, Good Fruit Grower is proudly honoring an outstanding grower with its Grower of the Year award...
Bierer: Carbon accounting
New USDA soil project will assess carbon balance of an apple orchard over time.
DeVaney: Prevailing problems
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association wants more transparency for growers around the state’s wage surveys, one of many labor-related priorities for 2023.
Good to Know: Research works
An overview of this year’s research projects and upcoming research reviews.
Hansen: Mealybug mating disruption
Specialty crop grant will help develop sustainable mealybug control in Washington vineyards.
England: Coming together
The “Stronger Together” theme of this year’s Hort Show emphasizes the importance of playing as a tree fruit team.
Good to Know: Progress for the Orchard of the Future
International collaboration around orchard technology begins trials.
Langager: MRLs made easy
NHC launches rebuilt online MRL database to help growers stay on top of the myriad market-specific pesticide requirements.
Gerlach: The need for Newton
USApple launches online database to make apple statistics more accessible for answering industry questions.
Fryhover: Exporting Cosmic Crisp
With Washington growers expecting 5 million boxes, it’s time to invest in international marketing.
Dininny: Still going and growing online
We have good news to share.
Van den Ende: Tame your trees
For high-density pear plantings, it’s critical to get an early start.
Moffitt: New realities for pears
Pear Bureau marketing promotes pears to younger consumers in physical, digital and virtual realities.
Hansen: Smart thinning
Washington wine industry helps develop new vineyard technology by investing in collaboration.
Maycock: Putting the ag in ag tech
Could a collaborative model improve the outcomes for ag tech startups and the growers who need them?
Brown: Precision viticulture takes center stage
Missed the bus? Let the National Grape Research Alliance president fill you in on the highlights of the precision vit demo day.
Garza: Taking Washington ag to new places
WSDA helps growers share their story in export markets.
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.