Ross Courtney is an associate editor for Good Fruit Grower, writing articles and taking photos for the print magazine and website. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
Courtney worked as a writer, photographer and video producer for the Yakima Herald-Republic starting in 2000, covering agriculture, education and local government. He was the author of the Herald-Republic‘s popular Crop Lines blog.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a communications specialist for a Pasco, Washington, company representing agricultural groups. Before that, he covered sports for the Tri-City Herald.
Courtney joined the magazine in 2015. He lives in Prosser with his family.
Follow the author — Contact: 509-930-8798 or Email
My Recent Articles
A year of wings and prayers
Cherry harvest shapes up as a season of nuance, contrasts.
Cherries get a lift — Video
Rural Washington state airport sees boost in cherry exports during otherwise down year.
Transcontinental transfer keeps harvest on track
Peach orchards in Colorado and South Carolina shuttle H-2A workers to avoid job losses.
Smoke, wind drive down Washington apple crop estimate
Wind damage has driven down Washington’s apple crop estimate while smoky Northwest skies have delayed
Pear proponents ponder possibilities
Pear research community asks for potential alternatives to starting breeding program from scratch.
A deal for canned pears
Under new law, processors and growers reach price agreement.
Gebbers Farms testing shows low COVID-19 infection rate
State-mandated coronavirus testing at Gebbers Farms has so far showed a relatively low infection rate
Blueberry groups announce keynotes
Two blueberry industry groups have announced the keynote speakers for their online event, the Virtual
Appeals judge upholds WSU Cosmic Crisp victory over Phytelligence
A federal appeals judge has ruled in favor of Washington State University in its lawsuit
Washington’s Royal Slope earns AVA
The Royal Slope in Central Washington has become the state’s 15th official American Viticultural Area.
Forecasts inside and out
AgWeatherNet project to measure effect of orchard on weather station data.
Washington state mandates farmworker testing for coronavirus
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has mandated that all agricultural employers “broadly” test their workers in
University of Idaho to hold Heritage Orchard Conference online
The University of Idaho’s Sandpoint orchard will hold a free monthly webinar regarding tree fruit
Sanitation rules with coronavirus
Regulators enforcing measures to prevent spread.
Wildfires hit Northwest fruit growing areas
Firefighters have contained a 6,000-acre brush fire on a ridge near Yakima, Washington, that caused
Chile to take U.S. West Coast blueberries
The government of Chile has agreed to accept imports of blueberries from Washington, Oregon and
Seeing a future for crop estimation technology — Video
Growers put AI crop estimation to use in vineyards.
Latest Northwest cherry estimate calls for 19 million boxes
The Northwest sweet cherry harvest has begun its seasonal descent, and the industry estimates a
Upgrade your airblast sprayer — Video
Lidar system scans canopy volume and calibrates sprayer in real time to reduce overapplication and drift.
Foundation donates to West Coast undocumented farmworkers
Drawing from private donations, a foundation connected to the United Farm Workers Union is distributing
Jim Wade, 1926–2020
Jim Wade Jim Wade, former head of Columbia Fruit Packers and a partner in Columbia
Richard “Dick” Symms, 1935–2020
Richard “Dick” Symms Richard “Dick” Symms, patriarch of the Caldwell, Idaho, Symms Fruit Ranch, died
Big time for blueberries
From acres to production, this little fruit just keeps growing.
Blueberries eligible for coronavirus relief payments
Just as for apples, the federal government has changed its mind and made blueberries eligible
IFTA cancels Italy tour
The International Fruit Tree Association has canceled its study tour that was scheduled through the
Prevailing frustrations over wage surveys
Washington blueberry wage ruling puts a spotlight on the prevailing wage surveys.
Masks vs. no masks: Photos could help with employee training
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s a cliché for a reason. A Washington
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Worker worries prompted walkouts
Additional safeguards and hazard pay were among the demands of workers that went on strike at seven Yakima-area packers in May. All walkouts were resolved by early June.
Backup plans underway for industry events
Groups brace for contingencies, even for events months in the future.