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
Phylloxera, economics highlight the 2019 Washington State Grape Society annual meeting
Sarah Del Oro of Blehyl Co-op checks grapevine root samples for phylloxera feeding damage Thursday
Growers switch gears after grape glut
Wine grape industry hits period of oversupply, lower prices.
The local niche offers opportunities during downturn
Former WSU professor doubles down on Columbia Gorge AVA vineyard.
Larger farms, but fewer growers
‘It’s happening to everybody’: Stats paint stark picture of apple orchard consolidation.
WSTFA Annual Meeting puts focus on the future of fruit
Washington tree fruit industry gears up for December convention to be held in Wenatchee.
H-2A poised for change
Proposed laws and regulations aim to make the H-2A program more affordable, accessible.
Surfactants aid deep cleaning in microcracks
WSU researchers find surfactants help sanitizers clean inside apple skin microcracks.
Protecting the Cosmic Crisp investment
Growers pony up for research projects to support WA 38.
Harvest of Cosmic proportions
Washington begins first commercial harvest of the long-awaited WA 38.
Washington apple growers challenging federal wage hike mandate
Growers’ lawyers conducting their own wage surveys to support their case.
Study tracks effect of pest management in adjacent crops
Entomologist studies the connection between pear IPM and neighboring cherry orchards.
First Cosmic Crisp harvest: Be patient — Video
Research officials urge growers to rely on starch scale, not color, to determine WA 38 harvest timing.
Sugar substitute keeps pounds and pests at bay
Researcher determines sugar substitute erythritol is toxic to pear psylla.
Variety watch: Carneval could be an early winner
Washington cherry grower at first doubts his luck when he stumbles upon a sweet new variety.
Cosmic Crisp in the courts
Judge sides with WSU in contract dispute over WA 38 propagation.
Washington Apple Education Foundation celebrating 25 years
WAEF awards more than $1.1 million in scholarships, but its impact goes beyond the money.
Federal judge temporarily halts wage hike for Zirkle blueberry pickers
A Selah, Washington, fruit company won an early round in its lawsuit against federal and
Rooting out solutions for pear growers
WSU’s pear rootstock breeding program is part of a global effort to solve problems through genetics.
Tour of China reveals a country of contrasts
Middle Kingdom modernizes fruit industry, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly.
Growers invest in seasonal families
Columbia Gorge orchardists contribute to expand local migrant education program.
Moving an orchard
WSU moves Tukey orchard to make way for Pullman airport expansion.
Growers feel the squeeze of another canning contraction
Pear growers removing trees in reaction to sour canned market.
How growing is going global
International nursery groups revamp to keep up with and drive the world of managed varieties.
Midseason wage blues
Washington blueberry producer sues to stop wage increase mandate.
Labor Department opens public comment on proposed changes to H-2A
Public comment is open until Sept. 24 on proposed changes to H-2A foreign guest worker
New round of trade help
Federal government announces new wave of trade mitigation programs.
Neil Jones makes price offer for canning pears
Neil Jones Food Co. has agreed to pay canning pear growers a price lower than
Off the conventional path
Washington grower pleasantly surprised by organic transition and certification process.
FSMA inspections begin
FSMA inspectors are starting visits to farms, packers.
Cherry estimate drops
Northwest sweet cherry industry predicts smaller crop than originally anticipated.