Melissa Hansen joined the Good Fruit Grower team as associate editor in 1996 and provided editorial stories for all fruit, but in particular, the Pacific Northwest grape industry.
She moved with her family to Ellensburg, Washington, in 1995 after spending nearly 15 years in Fresno representing California tree fruit and grape growers and shippers in state and federal issues.
She received an agricultural journalism degree in 1980 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is a member of Class XVII of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. In 2008, she received a women’s leadership award from the Washington State Horticultural Association.
Melissa grew up in the beef industry, working in her family’s feedlot and custom meat locker. As a youth, she enjoyed raising market sheep and steers for 4-H and FFA projects and continued that passion as a sheep 4-H leader for more than 10 years in Washington’s Kittitas County.
Melissa Hansen joined the Washington Wine Commission to manage its research program in 2015.
Read her stories: Story Index
Most Recent Articles
Hansen: The fumigation fade
Washington vineyard research shows fumigation benefits for nematode control can be short-lived.
Hansen: Drones may help improve biocontrol in wine grapes
New research shows drones and attractant have potential to sustainably enhance beneficials in Washington vineyards.
Hansen: A clear objective for smoke research
Washington State Wine Commission is taking a multipronged approach.
Hansen: Mealybug mating disruption
Specialty crop grant will help develop sustainable mealybug control in Washington vineyards.
Hansen: Smart thinning
Washington wine industry helps develop new vineyard technology by investing in collaboration.
Hansen: Research provides phylloxera knowledge — Video
Risk assessment map shows Washington soils in many growing regions are conducive to phylloxera.
Hansen: Long-term investment in nematode research pays off
Alternative cover crops being evaluated to trick or trap nematodes.
Hansen: Shining the light on collaboration
Research collaboration is helping to bring global awareness to Washington wines.
Good to Know: Harnessing fungi power
How soil fungi could reduce fertilizer needs and improve grapevine growth.
Hansen: Far-reaching research is just getting started
The results of Washington Wine’s research program benefit industry, environment, community and consumers.
Hansen: Research to the rescue
A comprehensive project aims to better understand phylloxera to give growers intermediate management tools.
Hansen: Going for stable and sustainable
Washington Wine’s research program forging ahead with record-breaking funding.
Hansen: A lot to look forward to
Eight great reasons to be excited about V&E research.
Hansen: From wish list to reality
Strategic research initiative targets precision viticulture and enology through mechanization and innovation in Washington vineyards.
Good to Know: Another big year for grape and wine research
Research aims to improve wine quality by addressing vineyard and winery challenges.
Hansen: Giving growers what they want
The Washington state wine industry has spoken — and mechanization and precision viticulture is now