Kate Prengaman is the editor for Good Fruit Grower, writing articles for the print magazine and website. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and environmental science at the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in science journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kate joined the magazine in 2016. Prior to the Good Fruit Grower, she covered the natural resources beat for the Yakima Herald-Republic and reported environmental stories for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. She lives in Yakima with her husband and two daughters.
Contact her at 509-853-3518 or at kate@goodfruit.com and follow her on twitter @kprengaman
My Recent Articles
Sun stress has growers sun wary
With sun damage a key factor in cull fruit for the Washington industry, new WSU research aims to better understand the physiology of sun stress.
Hotter climate alters the cold chain
Maturity metrics may not yield the usual results for fruit grown in warmer-than-usual growing seasons.
On the way to supplying local organic demand
One New York-based grocery chain invests in organic farming to help its suppliers meet customer demand, but for fruit, it has a long way to go.
A family finds their farm
Ambitious Abendroth family tackles modernization of older New York orchards.
Survey seeks input on selling sustainable wine
New grant helps industry ask what wine drinkers want when it comes to green wine.
New California wine grape cultivars offer Pierce’s disease resistance
Camminare Noir, one of five new cultivars released by University of California, Davis, in December,
Wine industry icon handles hectic harvest
Renowned Washington wine grape grower helps to keep boutique vineyards in business.
Hort Show sessions end with a Cosmic bang
Final day of the WSTFA Annual Meeting includes in-depth Cosmic Crisp and IPM discussions.
Hort Show Day 2 afternoon: Fruit set variability predicted to increase
Other research session cover pollinizers, fire blight and little cherry disease.
X disease devastation strikes Pacific Northwest
Researchers and growers urge aggressive response to epidemic-level infections.
Hort Show Day 2 morning: Maturity matters and climate impacts
Morning sessions also include FSMA readiness, bitter pit trials and cover crops.
Hort Show Day 1 morning: Technology, trade and consumer insights
Craft beer (yes, really) and technology emerge as central themes of the first session of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association’s Annual Meeting and NW Hort Show.
Apple growers blown away by defoliation demonstrations — Video
New pneumatic defoliators use alternating pulses of air to strip off leaves.
Economist moves view from chaos to confidence
WSTFA Annual Meeting keynote speaker offers new perspective for economic outlook.
Rootstocks a new reality for Pacific Northwest vineyards
Following phylloxera findings, Washington wine grape growers rooting for information on rootstocks.
Washington vineyards facing phylloxera
Findings prove an unspoken, potential problem is no longer just a possibility, opening the door to management.
Making the crop load count
Ontario grower Tom Ferri shares his precision super spindle system with the IFTA summer tour.
Decline dilemma: No easy answer for rapid apple decline
Eastern apple growers report a rise in sudden collapse of seemingly healthy young dwarf trees, but is it a new problem or just highly stressed orchards felled by regular foes such as winter injury and drought?
Pollinizer research reveals patterns
WSU researcher continues work to narrow potential pollinizers and better understand the genetics of a good match.
Spray, without the sprayer
Taking air out of the equation reduces drift, optimizes coverage and efficiency.
New home for WSU bees
The purchase of an Othello research facility will provide space for pollinator research program to grow.
Spotted lanternfly map shows high risk for West Coast wine regions
The invasive pest could find plenty of suitable habitat across the U.S., according to new USDA model.
Washington research institutions celebrate centennial
Two Yakima Valley facilities celebrating a century of aiding agricultural innovation.
Outthinking technology
Digital Viticulture field day brings big-data tools down to the farm.
WSDA seeks phylloxera sampling volunteers
Following reports in the Walla Walla Valley, agency plans to sample for the pest in major grape growing regions in Eastern Washington this fall.
Spray specialist promotes crop-adapted approach
IFTA tour stop highlights basics of crop-adapted spraying approach and benefits to apple growers.
Big things underway in Ontario
International Fruit Tree Association takes growers across Canadian province for an uplifting view of some industry innovations.
The right tools for the job — Video
Ontario family’s experiments with equipment pay off in the orchards.
Phylloxera detection in Walla Walla means growers wary of soil movement during harvest
Heading into harvest, wine grape growers in Walla Walla, Washington, face a new complication: phylloxera has been found in several area vineyards.
Pear industry ripe for a rescue
What’s the future for pears? It’s complicated and urgent, and the industry is working to tackle the issue.