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
Preparing for fire
Foresters, growers give advice for protecting orchards and vineyards from wildfires.
What lies beneath
A researcher seeks to determine which indicators are most important in soil.
Pest spotters
Scout teams help growers target, dial in their IPM.
Plan before you plant
Industry veteran shares tips on preplant nutrition programs.
On shallowed ground
Experts urge growers to water with less volume, but more often, to keep up with shallower rootstocks.
Trees without fruit, pollination without bees
Pollen company joins Washington State University researcher to try planting a pollen-only orchard.
Researchers finish final pollen tube model
After 11 years, pollen tube projects are complete with release of Red Delicious model.
Head start on better berries
Growers already implementing results of long-term organic blueberry study.
The Cosmic gospel : Video
Washington State University continues education on training WA 38 trees.
Grape expectations: WSU publishes 45-page guide on vineyard nutrition
Updated "Vineyard Nutrient Management in Washington State" replaces 4-page document.
When growers meet lawmakers
Industry groups ask growers to directly participate in lobbying.
Legal battle over Cosmic Crisp unlikely to affect availability of new trees
Sources describe how dispute began
Variety Watch: Koru rolls down red carpet
First commercial U.S. shipments of chance New Zealand apple variety reach store shelves.
BMSB is still raising a stink
Oregon State entomologist updates Northwest growers on investigations into brown marmorated stink bug.
A gutsy study of pear psylla
Researchers examine genetic contents of insects’ stomachs to find out what they eat and where they hide during winter.
Taking the fight to fire blight
Risk is higher in Washington this season for deadly orchard disease. Here’s what you need to do.
No-dig trellis is on solid ground
Agricultural engineer uses steel posts and concrete footings for above-ground trellis system.
The good and bad of different rootstocks
Nursery owner warns growers it’s not as simple as asking which rootstock is the best.
The ripe way for pears in postharvest
Specialist Rob Blakey makes industrywide recommendations for postharvest pear ripening.
Finding success the cooperative way
The fewer grower cooperatives packing fruit in the industry today still play crucial role.
Midsize growers will feel the squeeze
Tree fruit industry poised for consolidation, banker says.
Northwest cherry growers think global at 75th institute
Following a record crop year, Northwest cherry growers got several reminders about pruning, the latest
Long live the King
Lynn Long, a longtime Oregon State University horticulturist, was named the annual Cherry King on
All aboard the cherry express
Airborne exports through Sea-Tac help make up for tough domestic year for sweet cherries.
A cool place for cherry exports
New facility to improve cherry movement through Sea-Tac.
Growing by the acres
Results from Washington state questionnaire help paint picture of shifting fruit industry.
OSU research shows best techniques for organic blueberries
Planting in raised beds, using a weed mat mulch and finding a fertilizer compatible with
Two Oregon cherry growers join forces
Two longtime cherry producers in the Dalles, Oregon, have merged to form an affiliation that
Hive hauling worries
The federal government has granted truckers who haul live animals, including honeybees destined for tree
How to give away fruit
Donations are appreciated at food banks, but some homework and forethought are advised first.