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
An a-peeling approach for bitter pit prediction
A new method for predicting bitter pit shows promise for New York Honeycrisp.
Translating tree talk
Dendrometers promise insight into tree stress to help growers fine-tune irrigation practices.
WSDA raises alarm about Japanese beetle reports in Yakima Valley
Residents and growers asked to report sightings, even from last season.
A growing toolbox for crop load management
Washington trials show promise for new plant growth regulator to manage return bloom and new chemical thinner in the registration pipeline.
U.S. House approves the Farm Workforce Modernization Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act with bipartisan support on
Precision crop load management is the topic of our time
Precision crop load management project seeks to bring technology to a tedious orchard task, helping growers maximize crop value.
A variable-rate vineyard
As the Efficient Vineyard Project comes to a close, Cornell offers free platform to help growers get started with spatial data.
Produce Safety Rule trainings available in Yakima and Wenatchee
Registration is open for Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training courses in March and April, subsidized
WineVit session focused on rootstock solutions for Washington
Wine growers around the globe rely on rootstocks to provide pest resistance, control vigor and help them adapt to site conditions. But for Washington growers who have traditionally planted own-rooted vines, trying to select rootstocks for new plantings in light of recent findings of phylloxera, rootstocks can seem like a bit of a brave new world.
Asian giant hornet hunt continues
Washington scientists trapping and tracking invasive honey bee predator remain hopeful of eradication efforts.
AgWeatherNet to offer frost forecasts for the Washington tree fruit industry
Observed low temperatures from AgWeatherNet stations, such as these seen on March 11, will be
Tech collaboration to build robot building blocks
Western Growers launches initiative to accelerate development of viable automated harvest technologies for specialty crops, from apples to strawberries.
Elusive vectors for grapevine red blotch
Insects capable of spreading red blotch virus remain a worry in Oregon vineyards, but with improved water management strategies, some growers may learn to live with the pathogen.
Listen and learn
Tree fruit education, ag tech insight and thoughtful conversations with other farmers are now available in podcast form.
Leafhopper deterrence linked to X disease management
WSU entomologists and industry partners learn about X disease vectors to help the cherry industry optimize management.
IFTA meeting ends with tech talks from companies serving the tree fruit industry
Seen here in screenshots from the virtual meeting held Feb. 24, Washington State University’s Karen
X disease-free cherry trees
As X disease epidemic spurs more orchard removal, spotlight turns to protecting a healthy tree supply for replanting.
Doubling down on reducing drift
New compliance focus and new training program proposal in Washington aim to improve pesticide safety without additional regulation.
Cherry trees and X disease: Remove now, replant when?
Experts share the latest findings and best practices for managing X disease.
Genetic study shows maturity matters in storage disorder development
Cutting-edge genetic research techniques help USDA postharvest scientists study fruit maturity and storage disorders.
Western Growers announces harvest automation initiative with tree fruit industry support
On Feb. 11, Western Growers announced a plan to accelerate development of harvest automation technology
A pathway for pears
WSU’s Musacchi says two-leader plantings can give pear growers the long-awaited benefits of higher density production today.
Organic ins and outs
Three pear industry leaders discuss the considerations of organic production.
Washington and the Netherlands make orchard innovation collaboration official
After two years of conversation and planning, this week Washington state formalized a partnership with the Netherlands to collaborate on research and technology innovation for the tree fruit industry.
Washington vineyard betting on bubbles
One Washington winery is planting sparkling-specific vineyards to capitalize on the growing demand.
Washington state fines Gebbers Farms $2 million for COVID-19 safety violations
Summer deaths of two H-2A employees spurred investigations of health and safety violations in housing and transport.
Washington state cites and fines Evans Fruit $156,000 for not enforcing mask requirements
This week, Washington state cited and fined Evans Fruit Co. of Yakima $156,000 for two
Restart the ripening clock
A genetic discovery leads to new compound that could kick-start pear ripening and shows potential in sliced pears.
Optical advantage for fruit quality research
New state-of-the-art sorting line helps Washington State University researchers measure fruit quality.
Ohio Wine’s Donniella Winchell honored with Rich Smith award for service to the wine industry
The American wine and grape industry recognized Donniella “Donnie” Winchell, executive director of the Ohio