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.
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
Go with the flow for cold storage efficiency
Considering airflow and efficient cold storage design helps protect fruit quality and lowers energy costs.
Ozone filling a void for fruit packers
Organic storage and food safety needs drive renewed interest in ozone technology.
Clean Plant Center exports mostly on hold
Exports of clean tree fruit budwood on hold while center cleans up paperwork processes.
Click pruning techniques for Cosmic Crisp
Researchers travel to orchards across Washington to share tips for pruning WA 38.
Washington State Grape Society awards
Grape Society President Bill Riley presented the organization’s annual awards at the Washington State Grape
Higher prices for juice grape growers in 2018
Things are looking up for Washington’s Concord grape growers, though there may be fewer of
Apple marketers like social media
Facebook, YouTube and pop-up stores giving marketers new tools to introduce consumers to club apples.
New tool helps growers budget for climate change
New web tool lets growers see projected climate impacts on their own farms to support long-term decision making.
Virus cloning may lead to leafroll control
Cloning a destructive grapevine virus will help researchers understand it and, potentially, learn how to stop it.
Young growers learning and growing together
Field day and workshop events for early career industry professionals provide support and encouragement.
WSTFA18: Disease, pest and vigor management panels
Two presentations by Betsy Beers, a Washington State University entomologist, highlighted Wednesday morning’s disease and
WSTFA18: Postharvest problems
Washington State University Extension, in cooperation with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and Good
WSTFA18: Fire blight in the spotlight : Video
When the Washington State Tree Fruit Association’s annual meeting resumed on Tuesday morning, the session
WSTFA annual meeting, Day 1
A wrap of the first day's discussions at the WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show in Yakima
Growing unconventionally: 2018 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Washington Fruit and Produce Co. doesn’t do small. This year, the company’s first-ever certified organic
Growing by the numbers: 2018 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Dan Plath farms by the data.
He frequently responds to this reporter’s questions about horticultural decisions
Growing generations: 2018 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Block by block, the Plath family has grown a company — and a reputation for quality — by focusing on every aspect of fruit production from tree to market.
Growing potential: 2018 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Funding education is a top priority for the Plath family.
WA Grape Society annual meeting highlights
Topics include smoke taint and some good news for Concord grape growers
Rise of the machines: Are you ready to mechanize? – Video
Near-fully mechanized vineyards are leading the way to premium wine grapes.
EverCrisp: A club for everyone
EverCrisp apple’s open managed approach is getting enthusiastic marks from Midwest and Mid-Atlantic growers.
Multileader makeover from old Red Delicious orchards
Grafting old blocks trained to multileader systems brings high density without high replanting costs.
Virginia is for wine lovers
Vineyard acreage is expanding to keep up with state’s wine industry, now valued at $1.37 billion.
Vineyard sprayers: Applying knowledge
Washington State University sprayer evaluation helps growers optimize vineyard sprayer performance.
A high-tech ball for berries
Berry Impact Recording Device rides along for harvest, packing.
Battling birds with lights, sounds : Videos
Makers of new noise and laser deterrents promise birds won’t habituate to the technology.
Making history in the growing at Penn State
Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center celebrates 100 years of supporting growers.
Taking on trellis with peach trees
New innovations from Penn State promise increased yields, opportunity for mechanization.
Divide to conquer pests?
Boutique grower credits unconventional trellis system for pest and disease prevention.
Northern exposure
See why Vineland apricots bred in Ontario are getting attention.