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
Oregon heat, smoke rules to take effect soon
Oregon workplace regulators have enacted permanent rules to protect laborers from excessive heat and wildfire
Trellising more than trees
Superstructures to support rain and sun coverings skew trellis engineering principles.
Washington further loosens COVID housing restrictions
Washington authorities have pulled back many of the temporary farm labor housing restrictions designed to
Future forecasts call for more heat, more often
Heat wave of 2021 may not be so unusual in the future.
Apples in extreme heat
Researchers share how future heat will affect apple farming.
Carneval cherry challenge
DNA tests link sport cherry in Washington to variety propagated in Canada.
Nights in shining orchards
Growers contemplate resuming night harvest after 2021’s heat forced their hand.
Northwest Cherry Growers releases first crop estimate
Editor's note: This story has been updated to the correct 2021 volume shipped. After mid-April
A grower’s tale of sucker grafts and drive rows
California’s Jeff Colombini discusses growing techniques, economics.
California growers choosing almonds over apricots
Labor costs for stone fruit production push growers toward nut crops.
Fine-tuning work time
Growers, managers adjust to new reality of overtime.
H-2A rising, still
Use of guest worker program surges amid challenges, cost increases.
Codling moth control: Back to biology
Pest experts detail scientific foundations to kick off Codling Moth Summit.
Waste not this year with weed control
Follow best practices to conserve herbicides during shortage.
New fronts on the fire blight fight
Researchers discuss nonantibiotic fire blight control methods.
Wendy Powers named WSU ag dean
Wendy Powers Wendy Powers of the University of California has been named the next dean
NCAE to hold heat stress webinar April 28
The National Council of Agricultural Employers will hold a webinar in late April about the
Soil sensor pros and cons — Video
WSU irrigation specialist provides growers with a rundown on five soil sensors.
Tall order for dwarfing roots
New OSU researcher aims to renew work with amelanchier rootstocks for pears.
Growers huddle to discuss cold strategies
Snow covers cherry blossoms in Selah, Washington, on April 12, after a cold front brought
Research rebuild for Oregon tree fruit team
With new postharvest scientist, Hood River, Oregon, restaffs its research team.
Cherry system tour spotlights three training techniques
WSU holds annual cherry system tour.
Nuanced improvement for Washington wine industry
WineVit speakers describe supply-demand balances as better but with caveats.
Oregon orchards needed for wasp release
Oregon State University entomologists have some parasitic wasps in need of a home. The researchers
The mechanization sweet spot in the vineyard
High-end vineyards look for balance between machine and hand pruning.
BYOB: Bring your own bees — Video
Using mason bees requires year-round chores.
Chill queens: Bees in cold storage
WSU entomologist tries queen banking in the cold to cut labor costs.
Decay management a season-long effort
Pathologists say rot control starts in the orchard, early.
Tree of heaven can’t wait
Washington asks residents to control host of spotted lanternfly.
Hot thoughts on keeping grapes cool
Growers, researcher talk heat mitigation strategies.