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
Legumes win cover contest
Research shows legume cover crops boost tree growth better than grass.
Making soil more alive
Grape growers turn to compost to boost long-term soil health.
Agricultural employment essential during COVID-19 crisis
Ag associations roll out advice regarding coronavirus as growers prepare for seasonal labor.
Building a better bee
WSU entomologists use bee semen collected from around the world as part of breeding project to improve genetics of honey bees.
Coronavirus slows H-2A visas
U.S. State Department seeks middle ground to allow some seasonal ag workers.
Blossoms get a boost from the blues
Researcher shows blue orchard bees improve fruit set in Washington cherries and pears.
Codling moth comeback
Growers try variety of methods to check a possible codling moth resurgence.
It’s a matter of timing for codling moths
Entomologist reminds growers to use all the tools on time.
WA apple license plate clears legislature
Specialty plate to benefit fruit scholarships heads to governor’s desk
Federal judge rules against Zirkle
A federal judge has ruled against a Washington blueberry producer’s prevailing wage challenge and ordered
Prioritize the paperwork
Surveys can overwhelm; focus on those that help the industry.
A passion for pear psylla love songs — Video
WSU researchers record pear psylla vibrations to develop mating disruption.
Tatura system formal attire for cherry orchards
Sweet cherry growers turn to the highly structured Tatura training system, which is already common in apples.
Growers facing a time of tough decisions
Three growers share ideas for the pains caused by industry overreach.
Growers keeping watch for phylloxera
With phylloxera found in more parts of Washington, there’s still no cause for panic.
WSU schedules Spanish-language soil health workshop in Prosser
03/13/2020WSU's Spanish-language soil health workshop has been postponed, due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
Prune hard for better blueberries
OSU blueberry specialist urges deep pruning for sustainable quality.
Packing performance good for first Cosmic Crisp
Cosmic Crisp rolls out with respectable packouts, with mechanical flaws as biggest cullage cause.
Cosmic Crisp soars at launch
After years of research and branding buildup, the first Cosmic Crisps hit the market.
WAEF applications due March 1
The deadline for Washington Apple Education Foundation scholarship applications is March 1. The foundation plans
Early spring for Washington cherries
AgWeatherNet's cherry cold hardiness model shows dormancy break coming Feb. 08 for eastern Benton County
WA 2 legal battles escalate
WSU files against Yakima grower for patent infringement of apple.
New pear geneticist hired
Jessica Waite, a postdoctoral research associate at Washington State University, has been hired by the
Feeling blue?
Blueberries, already lauded for health benefits, have a new honor: Their own emoji. The Unicode
When the growing gets tough
Washington hort show speakers paint grim, but not hopeless, economic picture of the industry.
Rootstocks from Krymsk, Russia, with love
The peach and cherry rootstock program owes its success to a family of breeders taking advantage of their home in the heart of wild Prunus diversity.
Chlorpyrifos ban proposed in Washington state
Washington state senators introduce bill to prohibit most uses of Lorsban.
Pear packers see the future on the line
State-of-the-art pear technology stars in Mount Adams Fruit upgrade after fire rebuild; other packers are following suit.
A variety of options for pear breeding
Pear research leaders suggest launching cultivar breeding program.
Getting misty for evaporative cooling
WSU researcher works on evaporative cooling for wine grapes.