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
Grants offered for Northern Triangle H-2A hires
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering grants to help agricultural employers hire H-2A workers from the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador...
Planning and preparation allows an early exit from farming
Third-generation grower retires early on his terms.
FIRA USA Day 2 features driverless equipment demos
Robotic demonstrations in simulated orchards and vineyards highlighted Day 2 of the FIRA USA agricultural automation conference and trade show in Salinas, California...
FIRA robotics conference opens in Salinas, California
The FIRA USA agricultural automation conference and trade show kicked off with robot demonstrations, a vendor trade show and presentations Sept. 19 in Salinas, California...
USDOL proposes rule changes for H-2A program
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new rule that would strengthen H-2A worker protections...
Northwest pear growers expect average crop volume
Northwest pear growers expect to harvest about 15.2 million standard box equivalents for the 2023 season...
Co-op cooperation aims to keep the pear industry growing
New leaders at the Wenatchee River Valley’s three pear cooperatives share their vision for meeting the challenges facing the region.
Unstructured netting provides a bug barrier — Video
Growers try single-row tree netting as pest control.
Digital dialogues offer orcharding advice
The next wave of AI in the orchard arrives as tech startups rush to launch farming chatbots.
WSU receives $3 million robotics grant
Washington State University has received a $3 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to train engineering students to design robots that work well with, and for, people...
Flight school for future ag drone flyers
Technology consortium reaches out to future ag tech workers.
In “difficult process,” Ste. Michelle moves to renegotiate contracts and reduce tonnage
The Northwest’s largest wine company, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, is drastically cutting back its grape volume and asking growers to renegotiate existing contracts...
Oregon cherry growers seek disaster relief
Oregon sweet cherry growers have asked their governor to call the 2023 season a disaster and help them recover from a market that drove prices below the cost of production...
Down to earth with drones
UAVs make commercial headway in the tree fruit industry.
Washington expects large apple crop
Washington apple growers expect a fresh crop of roughly 134 million boxes, if the preseason estimate holds...
Washington’s Smart Orchard field day draws crowds for irrigation, nutrient and application optimization
More than 100 people watched driverless tractors and smart apply sprayers at the 2023 Smart Orchard field day...
Ag automation’s book of numbers
Western Growers tabulates steps toward automation with annual report.
The low-down on mini head-trained grapevines
Warm rocks, cold winters prompt vine training style in the Walla Walla Valley.
Bee good to your berries
Stock honey bees wisely and think beyond your farm to boost pollination.
Washington outdoor heat exposure rules to take effect
Washington’s long-awaited permanent outdoor heat exposure rules will take effect July 17...
Paper or plastic for weed suppression — Video
Washington State University trials paper-based slurry as alternative to plastic weed mats for blueberry plantings.
Sticking with tried and true rootstocks
Nurseries suggest growers remember the veteran G.11 in the era of evolving rootstock options and availability.
Northwest growers take annual Columbia Gorge preharvest cherry tour
A few dozen growers learned about quirks of growing Pearl series cherries, cherry breeding and leafhopper research on June 6 at Oregon State University’s annual preharvest cherry tour in The Dalles...
Apple varieties all around the world
Global apple brand development soars.
Washington Rep. Newhouse seeks input on Farm Bill priorities
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse is asking Central Washington farmers to submit their priorities for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill discussions...
Pacing platform pickers
Manage to mitigate the difference in efficiency between front and rear harvesters.
Surge of the Black Pearl
Growers seek to balance fruit size and precocity for popular cherry.
Northwest cherry producers expect 20 million boxes this year
Cherry growers in the Northwest expect to harvest roughly 20 million boxes, or 200,000 tons, of cherries this year...
Pinot proposition in Washington
Washington farmer and winemaker partner to ramp up production of classic, wetter-climate variety in new region.
Cherry system features density with intensity
Demonstration cherry blocks in Ferrara, Italy, offer lessons in super-high-density planting.