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
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.
Northwest cherry growers optimistic with small crop, good timing
Cherry producers in five Northwest states anticipate a 17-million-box crop with better market timing among the growing regions, and they hope that will lead to a profitable season. That was their message at the annual five-state Northwest Cherry Growers meeting May 15 in Richland, Washington.
Oregon State University irrigation specialist highlights technology at Washington State University Spanish-language field day — Video
Irrigation specialist Maria Zamora Re of Oregon State University made her first public presentation specifically to the tree fruit industry on May 8 at a Washington State University field day near Prosser...
Nonprofit center cultivating innovation with ag workforce
Fruit worker aims to patent picking harness with help of new nonprofit.
New H-2A regulations to take effect June 28
The U.S. Department of Labor has enacted updated H-2A regulations that will affect everything from terminating worker contracts to union access to bus seat belts...
Fruit industry groups focused on preventing sexual harassment
Ag safety center funds push for more training throughout the industry.
Northwest Cherry Growers estimates a 21-million-box crop for 2024
Northwest Cherry Growers has released its first crop estimate for the 2024 season, expecting 21 million 20-pound box equivalents, or 210,000 tons...
Ladder businesses still standing in orchard industry
Orchard ladder manufacturers see little business decline despite platforms and dwarfing trees.
Baffling borer behavior observed in California pear orchards
West Coast entomologists on lookout for borer attacking fruit, not trees.
USApple to host season-end webinar May 14
The U.S. Apple Association will host a webinar May 14 to take a rearview-mirror look at the 2023–24 apple season...
Underground watering spreads across vineyards
Grower agreements help Washington State University professor scale up subsurface irrigation method.