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
Upgrade your airblast sprayer — Video
Lidar system scans canopy volume and calibrates sprayer in real time to reduce overapplication and drift.
Hold on to your Anjous
On the controversial topic of self-regulation, the Northwest pear industry approved stricter quality standards for early season Anjou shipments, but do they go far enough?
Fruit industry questions eligibility for USDA direct payment program
Few tree fruit growers able to access benefits as program began.
Washington shippers making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts so distributors can supply nonprofits, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Training video will help scouts spot little cherry disease
Just like in the coronavirus pandemic facing our communities, one of the challenges with the
How to do your do-over
Why replanting vineyards is more than just planting again.
Apple industry appeals to USDA to revisit pandemic payment eligibility
USApple says the USDA used flawed approach that found most apple growers ineligible for support despite price declines and sales slowdowns
Grape growers ready to root
Washington’s leading grapevine nursery shares what growers need to know if they want to plant grafted vines.
Smart scouting for little cherry disease — Video
Using a checklist approach can help scouts detect little cherry disease symptoms that can vary
An orchard with a head start
A new ultrahigh-density approach in Washington starts with nursery trees planted at full height.
Bye to big branches
The grow-through-tree approach appeals to New York growers with home nurseries and those who want to buy custom trees.
Prengaman: 2020 revision
We're going on, just like you.
Marketing pears in a pandemic
The Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meeting featured updates on marketing pivots and planning for the season ahead.
Fresh Pear Committee changes marketing order for Anjous in revote — Updated
The compromise proposal is a “step in the right direction,” according to committee chair, but some growers say it doesn’t go far enough.
Softer landing for fresh blueberries
Fresh-market-focused blueberry harvesters could reduce labor costs and bruising.
Pear Bureau Northwest will meet via webinar May 26–29
The Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meetings will be held via webinar May 26–29. The meetings
Apple, pear growers eligible for USDA pandemic relief fund
Tree fruit industry groups seek clarity on eligibility details for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Vector investigations
New research aims to deepen understanding of little cherry disease.
New fruit fly foe found
Officials don’t want European cherry fruit fly to spread beyond Western New York, but a small cherry industry there wants quarantine regulations that don’t put them out of business.
Two Washington shippers start making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts to distributors to supply nonprofits directly, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Vineyard mechanization putting people first
Even wineries that prefer hand-picked grapes can use mechanization as a tool to improve vineyard management.
Pandemic puts labor in limbo
Canadian growers have relied on international farmworkers for decades, but the pandemic put the program in jeopardy.
Initial estimate puts Northwest cherry crop at 20.5 million boxes
Northwest Cherry Growers released their initial crop estimate this week, predicting a harvest of 20.5
Soil health initiative grounded in research
Washington state sets up program to tackle soil health.
Grapes without glyphosate
Moving toward IPM for weed control requires diversifying herbicides.
Northwest pulling peaches
X disease, on top of economic pressure, leads growers to push out enough peaches and nectarines that the industry halts assessments for marketing.
Consumer conscious wine marketing
Sustainability sells, but surveys show consumers don’t always understand it.
Wine of the times
In an era of too many bottles for too few drinkers, industry must adapt to new tastes, say experts at the Washington Winegrowers Association’s annual gathering.
Cliff Plath, 1955–2020
Yakima grower and philanthropist died April 11.
Stink bugs a foul foe
Oregon specialty crops present attractive enticement for BMSB.