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
Effects of election and judge rulings highlight labor session on final day of Washington hort show
—by Ross Courtney and Shannon Dininny Natalie Smeller of Wenatchee High School, center, judges Red
Washington tree fruit industry bestows awards at Yakima banquet
Ed Ing, Bill Zirkle, Leo Garcia and Dave Gleason all took home honors on Dec.
A cherry tour, technology topics and pears round out Day 2 of the Washington hort show
—by Ross Courtney and Shannon Dininny Dave Allan of Allan Bros. points out places he
Washington State University names WA 64 apple Sunflare
Washington State University has given its newest apple, WA 64, the official trade name Sunflare...
Longtime industry leader highlights opening morning of Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting
Gary Grove, a soon-to-be professor emeritus of plant pathology at Washington State University, told growers they face “significant but surmountable challenges” at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting at the Yakima Convention Center...
Hort Show preview: Uninformed foodie fight
WSTFA keynote speaker to discuss how to push back against critics who don’t understand farming.
Leading by listening: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
A mix of people skills and horticultural expertise earn Tom Gausman of AgriMACS in Chelan, Washington, the 2024 Grower of the Year award from Good Fruit Grower.
Seeing the big picture: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Tom Gausman shares lessons on developing large orchards.
Rise of the orchard manager: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Outside investment and increased need for management mark Grower of the Year Tom Gausman’s career.
More federal judges block provisions of H-2A rule
Two more federal judges have blocked parts of the new H-2A regulations intended to grant workers more protection from potential abuses and give them rights to conduct union-like activities...
Kalcsits appointed to leadership role at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
Washington State University is taking a team approach to leading the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee...
Precision prescription for vineyard researcher
U.S. Department of Agriculture hires an ag engineer for new viticulture research role for the Northwest wine industry.
Washington State Grape Society honors industry leaders at annual meeting
Among the presentations on topics such as technology, pest control and industry economics, the Washington State Grape Society bestowed industry awards on Nov. 21 at its annual meeting in Grandview...
Quest for automated apple harvest continues
Robot company advanced.farm returns to Washington for another harvest of fine-tuning.
Change of hue for Washington vineyards
As Washington’s red wine grape tide falls, whites are on the rise.
Judge rules Glory and Staccato cherries the same
A federal judge has decided a cherry sold as Glory is really Staccato under a different name...
Vineyard pruning approach cut cold damage after frigid weather
Washington wine grape growers’ freeze response ushered in a full crop.
A three-for-all approach to orchard systems
Cornerstone Ranches stays the course with three-leader V-trellis system, regardless of variety.
USDA research center construction begins at UC Davis
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun construction on a new 59,000-square-foot Agricultural Research and Technology Center at the University of California, Davis...
Washington wine groups again seek acreage data
Washington wine groups are asking more growers to respond to an acreage survey this year...
Sweet stops on California stone fruit tour
International Fruit Tree Association summer tour sweeps through California’s stone fruit industry.
Early apple is on time for California market
California apple growers develop variety that harvests in early July.
Robot demonstrates spot-on fertilizer application for orchards
Work on robotic nitrogen applicator steers industry toward tree-level management.
Semillero de Ideas boosts prize money for second contest
Semillero de Ideas, a Washington nonprofit helping farmworkers commercialize their own inventions, is gearing up for its second innovation contest and has significantly boosted its prize money...
A healthy choice for Washington apples
Washington apple industry considers promoting the health benefits of apples in a collectively funded domestic marketing campaign.
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...