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
Federal government finalizes streamlined H-2A rules
After more than a year of discussions, the U.S. Department of Labor has revised H-2A
Ag groups appeal Washington’s extension of COVID-19 rules
Groups that represent agricultural employers are appealing Washington’s extension of emergency rules designed to protect
Pandemic brings loads to bear with trucking rate
Hort Show speaker: Pandemic pushes already high shipping costs higher.
Grape stats for 2020: good, bad and ugh-ly
Concord growers enjoy rising demand and prices, while Washington wine grape growers struggle with reduced demand, smoke concerns.
Federal funding bill aids fruit industry
The recently passed legislation that funds the federal government contains a couple of nuggets that
Internet matching investors with growers
‘Internet syndicators’: Web portals are linking investors with growers.
The viral toll
Accounting for the costs of the deadly and disruptive coronavirus pandemic.
EEOC says employers may mandate the COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer workers move the BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine into cold transport containers before it is distributed
Sweet cherry harvester not forgotten
Researchers say they haven't given up, and the mechanical sweet cherry harvester may be due for a comeback.
Robotic pickers progress through pandemic
Companies continue to improve automated harvest machines.
Cooperate to co-innovate
Robotics developer asks growers to take active role in ushering in new technology.
The Cosmic two-pick
Some growers are choosing to color pick their WA 38 apples.
Cooperation keeps out coronavirus
Oregon growers dodge housing-related outbreaks and major labor shortages.
AgWeatherNet looking for station thieves
AgWeatherNet officials at Washington State University suspect thieves have recently stolen two weather stations worth
Hort Show Day 3: Pests
Organic control of common pests and diseases highlight morning session.
Hort Show Day 2: Tech session
Labor tracking and Smart Orchard dominate discussions.
Hort Show Day 1: Apple variety overload again a topic at annual conference
Phil Lempert, keynote speaker at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association's live video event on
Prophecies from a Supermarket Guru
Keynote Hort Show speaker to share predictions of future grocery shopping.
Retirement extensions benefit industry extension work
University of California academics continue to work in retirement as industry needs continue to shift.
Smoke scrutiny heats up in wine research
Wine scientists in Washington, Oregon and California plan research to answer critical industry questions about smoke damage to grapes and wine.
Grape Society annual meeting starts off with soil and weed management talks
A Washington State University soil scientist and a Cornell University weed scientist kicked off the
WSU finishes Plant Sciences Building in Pullman
On Nov. 16, Washington State University celebrated the opening of its new $66 million Plant
Royally sweet additions to Washington AVAs
Royal Slope, Candy Mountain become Washington’s newest American Viticultural Areas.
Washington dings more than 20 farms for COVID-19 violations
Coronavirus-related violations account for about 15 percent of Washington’s farms dinged by health and safety
An ethos beyond organic
Biodynamic viticulture, which combines ecology and a sense of spirituality, is attracting wine industry interest.
Biodynamic method makes connection to cosmos
Guided by scientific and philosophical principles, biodynamic agriculture goes beyond organic to create a self-sustaining farm.
WA Supreme Court rules ag overtime exemption unconstitutional
In a 5–4 vote, the state Supreme Court of Washington has ruled that agricultural workers,
H-2A wages to be frozen, then tied to labor cost index
The federal government has announced plans to freeze most Adverse Effect Wage Rates at 2020
Autonomous approach coming for tree fruit — Video
A self-driving sprayer may be coming to the tree fruit industry.
Underground delivery goes to market
While continuing research, WSU scientist aims to commercialize subsurface wine grape irrigation.