Kate Prengaman is an associate 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.My Recent Articles
Weed eaters
Herbicide resistance pushes California grape growers to try bringing back weed control strategies such as sheep and cultivation.
New approaches needed for weed control
Herbicide resistance is a threat growers need to take seriously.
Weed worries: Herbicide-resistant species are top of mind
Glyphosate-resistance is primary weed concern for wine grape growers in Washington state.
High-res Honeycrisp
Cell structure scans offer new insight into why Honeycrisp is so prone to bitter pit.
Protect pollinators while managing diseases
The fungicides needed to control bloom time disease aren’t as harmless to bees as previously thought.
Bees may do better being kept in the dark
CA storage could give bees an edge in the fight against the devastating Varroa mite.
Click thinking: High-density success depends on pruning style
Lessons learned in Italy about benefits of click pruning could help U.S. growers.
The worldwide view of wine from Washington : Video
Speakers at the 2018 Washington Winegrowers annual convention bring big-picture perspective.
Venture vineyardists
Industry experts offer branding and marketing strategies for grape growers.
Compost decomposed
As raw manure faces food safety scrutiny, compost has become a hot commodity.
Legal battle over Cosmic Crisp unlikely to affect availability of new trees
Sources describe how dispute began
New mindset for managing spotted wing depredation
High levels of pest pressure are the new reality for Michigan tart cherry growers.
On the lookout for spotted lanternfly
This beautiful bug is bad news.
The spotted lanternfly, an Asian sap sucker that feeds on
Apple maggot quarantine saves $500 million a year
New economic analysis puts a price tag on protecting Washington's maggot-free tree fruit regions.
More good mites wanted this year
Biocontrol and low-pesticide systems appear to be working in controlling mites in vineyards.
2017 Washington wine grapes fetched high prices
Washington wine grape growers harvested 227,000 tons in 2017, according to the Crush Report released
Washington’s organic apple acreage grew 37 percent
Organic apple acreage certified in Washington in 2017 exceeded expectations as certified orchards grew 37
Resistance rising for powdery mildew
Last year’s weather made was especially challenging in battling disease in Western U.S.
Taking the fight to fire blight
Risk is higher in Washington this season for deadly orchard disease. Here’s what you need to do.
Researchers are rethinking replant
Field trials underway to see if biological alternatives to fumigation can be a practical option for apple growers
Peach rootstock trial tests options for size control
Researchers start with the roots to shrink trees.
Washington Winegrowers honor longtime industry leaders
The Washington Winegrowers Association honored four longtime industry leaders on Tuesday during a lunch banquet
On the hunt for nematodes
Washington researchers launch big-picture project to figure out how best to protect vineyards against root parasites.
Using palissage to slow vigorous vines
Tucking or wrapping shoots to slow growth offers promising alternative to hedging for canopy control in Cornell trials.
After loss, important postharvest research continues
Colleagues carry on cherry and pear postharvest projects of the late Yan Wang of Oregon State University, with some intriguing new findings.
Researchers discover a coat of armor for cherries
A thin film of gum acacia shows promise to prevent splitting in packing house trials.
Michigan growers go local with cherries
Growth looks promising in Michigan's fresh cherry market.
The challenges of storing organic apples
Last season, Washington harvested 13 million boxes of organic apples and even more are expected
Growing big with Genevas
Third-year Washington trial offers new insight into cropping capabilities.
Going green with reds and whites
Will the investment in eco-certification for your vineyard pay off? It depends.