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
Semillero de Ideas to hold second farmworker innovation contest
Semillero de Ideas, a Washington nonprofit helping farmworkers commercialize their own inventions, will take submissions for its second innovation contest until Oct. 31...
A light crop and a heavy burden for Wenatchee Valley pear growers
Pear growers in Washington’s Wenatchee Valley may face shortest crop in 40 years.
California pear growers feeling the delta blues
Sacramento River pear growers face uncertainty.
A win-wine situation for Pacific Northwest industry
Temporary approval to import juice and grapes will help British Columbia wineries weather a crop loss and help Washington growers find a home for surplus.
Despite lawsuit, most tree fruit growers subject to new Farmworker Protection Rule
While a judge’s order prompted a pause to the enforcement of new federal farmworker protection regulations for some states last month, growers in tree fruit states including Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania must start complying with changes related to H-2A applications at 9 p.m. on Sept. 11...
Wine grape smoke task force launches website
The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force unveiled a new website this week to give growers, winemakers and other industry representatives resources to contend with exposures to wildfire smoke...
Automation adoption won’t drive itself
Relationships between manufacturers, growers and distributors all help usher in automation technology.
Smart Orchard field day draws a crowd in Central Washington
About 200 people turned out on July 26 to check out the latest in sensors, robotics and irrigation automation at the Smart Orchard field day near Mattawa, Washington...
Low-tech device can help measure water stress in orchards — Video
Consider pressure chambers to inform precision irrigation decisions.
Robots reaching beyond harvest — Video
Washington and Oregon university researchers collaborate on orchard robot for many tasks.
Know your costs to grow
Washington State University produces how-to video for ag enterprise budgets.
Smart Orchard continues testing technology
Trials begin at the third Smart Orchard location in Central Washington.
Stone fruit dominates final IFTA swing through California
The sprawling flatland of California’s southern Central Valley dominates U.S. stone fruit production. And the International Fruit Tree Association tour group saw plenty of it on the final day of the summer study tour through Central California...
Avocados and olives join apples, cherries and pears on IFTA tour
International Fruit Tree Association tour-goers saw plenty of the pears, apples and cherries they’re used to seeing as the group embarked on the first day of the summer tour through Central California, scheduled July 16–18...
Federal judge’s ruling reinstates Washington prevailing wages for H-2A workers
A federal judge has mandated that Washington growers pay H-2A employees prevailing wages while a lawsuit over the process of determining those wages lingers on...
Peach grower finding the sweet spot for profitable production
California canning peach grower tries some fresh sales in a search for the right scale.
Low labor supply keeps Smallwood stone fruit crop small
Labor crunch limits scale of Washington stone fruit grower.
Farmers facing more worker reworkings
For third time in four years, fruit industry adjusts to H-2A changes.
Correa tapped to lead Fresh Pear Committee
The Northwest pear industry has filled one of the leadership positions vacated by the outgoing Kevin Moffitt, longtime president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest...
Oregon researchers to host field day in Hood River July 23
Agricultural researchers in Hood River, Oregon, are holding an event to showcase their work and new lab facility...
Family-centered farming in Central California
California fruit family turns to cidery, direct sales and U-pick to keep fourth generation involved.
Suite Note and a driverless tractor highlight Oregon preharvest cherry tour
The Suite Note variety, a driverless tractor and research updates highlighted the annual preharvest cherry tour June 7 near The Dalles, Oregon...
Apple growers nurturing the niches
Small growers bet on high-value managed varieties.
Market prepping for Washington’s next apple — Video
WA 64 winds its way through commercialization.
Research to help growers schedule the sustenance
Washington State University researchers look for ways to optimize cherry nutrient timing.
Northwest pear industry votes to increase assessment
Facing declining crop volumes and budget, Northwest pear officials increased annual assessments for the first time in 25 years.
Washington vineyards reduce acres, reuse and recycle
Vine removal and sustainability goals intersect in Washington.
Tree fruit groups receive federal funding to help build export markets
Tree fruit industry groups will receive a share of federal funding to help diversify export markets...
Industry benefits from aggregating insights
Industry veterans discuss the critical importance of cherry crop estimates.
IFTA tour showcases many systems, same goal for cherry growers
International Fruit Tree Association tours Central Washington cherry orchards training to high density.