TJ Mullinax is a digital producer and photojournalist for Good Fruit Grower, coming to the magazine with a newspaper and television broadcast background. Mullinax grew up in the Pacific Northwest and covered communities through the Willamette Valley, Columbia Gorge, and Central Washington, working more than ten years as a professional journalist at KATU television in Portland, Oregon, and the Yakima Herald-Republic newspaper.
Mullinax served as a long-time officer of the National Press Photographers Association, helped found the Northwest Video Workshop, remains active judging photography contests and volunteering for journalism-focused training opportunities. In his spare time Mullinax dabbles with programming, design, illustration, and various multimedia endeavors that help tell stories.
Phone: Office (509) 853-3519 Cell: (509) 580-0091 — Email
My Recent Articles
Tips for finding phylloxera — Video
WSU researchers share tips on where, when and how to scout for root-feeding pest.
David Bittner, a young grower from Appleton, New York
David is a second-generation farmer who grows fruit along Lake Ontario and who graduated with a degree in agriculture system management from Purdue University. He is the son of Margo and Jim Bittner.
Apple coloring improves on further reflection
Fabric improves apple coloring, grower profits in Cornell trial.
The club crowd
Apple growers, packers, retailers and consumers are all trying to find their way in the growing maze of managed varieties.
An unprecedented year
USApple focuses on positive during virtual conference.
Juan Ojeda, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Juan is a second-generation tree fruit farmer who recently joined Simplot Growers. He’s the son of Celina and Juan Ojeda.
Organic production suffers with the silent treatment
Grower comments help protect access to needed materials.
A year of wings and prayers
Cherry harvest shapes up as a season of nuance, contrasts.
Cherries get a lift — Video
Rural Washington state airport sees boost in cherry exports during otherwise down year.
Fletcher Hukari, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
Fletcher is a fourth-generation farmer who graduated from the University of Utah. He’s the son of Tami and Brian Hukari.
Improving irrigation improves pear profits — Video
A precision approach can help pear growers protect packouts.
Quince comparisons — Video
Several dwarfing rootstocks for pears show promise in trial, but more study still needed.
Virtual happy hour
When coronavirus closed tasting room doors, winemakers turned to online events.
Sanitation rules with coronavirus
Regulators enforcing measures to prevent spread.
A long and fruitful fruition for Apple Vacuum System
After years of collaboration, testing and improvements, vacuum harvest system nearly ready for mass production.
U-pick in a pandemic
Farms test new safety measures before busy season begins in fall.
Crystal Aguilar, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Crystal is a second-generation farmer who grew up in the Yakima Valley and originally pursued teaching before joining her brother, Tony Mendoza, with Haak Administrative Services. She is married to Jesus Aguilar and is the daughter of Trinidad and Elieser Mendoza.
Big time for blueberries
From acres to production, this little fruit just keeps growing.
Prevailing frustrations over wage surveys
Washington blueberry wage ruling puts a spotlight on the prevailing wage surveys.
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Worker worries prompted walkouts
Additional safeguards and hazard pay were among the demands of workers that went on strike at seven Yakima-area packers in May. All walkouts were resolved by early June.
Kyle Rasch, a young grower from Conklin, Michigan
Kyle is a fifth-generation famer in the West-central Michigan region. He was part of USApple’s Young Apple Leaders program, obtained a business degree from Grand Rapids Community College and is the son of Sue and Chuck Rasch.
Hot start continues for Cosmic Crisp
In Washington State University study, second-leaf Cosmic Crisp packouts surpass third-leaf results.
How to do your do-over
Why replanting vineyards is more than just planting again.
Grape growers ready to root
Washington’s leading grapevine nursery shares what growers need to know if they want to plant grafted vines.
Farming amid the coronavirus
Growers find ways large and small to farm safely during the pandemic.
An orchard with a head start
A new ultrahigh-density approach in Washington starts with nursery trees planted at full height.
Maureen O’Callaghan, a young grower from Ephrata, Washington
Maureen graduated from Walla Walla Community College’s viticulture and enology program and joined Shaw Vineyards as a viticulturist in 2018. She is the daughter of Carol and John O’Callaghan.
Sweet cherry consolidation
Michigan growers adjust to changing markets.
Taking on the challenge of cherries
Veteran growers offer words of encouragement, advice.
New fruit fly foe found
Officials don’t want European cherry fruit fly to spread beyond Western New York, but a small cherry industry there wants quarantine regulations that don’t put them out of business.
Alicia Abendroth, a young grower from Wolcott, New York
Alicia grew up in Lower Saxony, Germany, and attended Geisenheim University before transferring to Cornell University to pursue her undergraduate degree in plant sciences.
Vineyard mechanization putting people first
Even wineries that prefer hand-picked grapes can use mechanization as a tool to improve vineyard management.
Pandemic puts labor in limbo
Canadian growers have relied on international farmworkers for decades, but the pandemic put the program in jeopardy.
Farmers prepare for housing during pandemic
Farm employer advice regarding the coronavirus rolls out as growers prepare for seasonal labor housing.
Joel Carter, a young grower from Summerland, British Columbia
Joel went to University of British Columbia, focusing on economics, and returned to the family farm, eventually buying his own land. He’s the son of Louisa and Neal Carter.
G.935 research results inconclusive
Researchers still can’t blame Geneva 935 rootstock declines on virus.
Brittany Komm, a young grower from East Wenatchee, Washington
Brittany is the senior viticulturist — also known as the “grape lady” — at Precept Wine Brands. She obtained her graduate degree at Washington State University.
Expanded coverage for trees
Federal government releases tree insurance program sought by industry.
A new chapter for growers
U.S. farm bankruptcies on the rise; changes to law further expand eligibility.
Jose Garcia, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
Jose was born in Mexico and grew up next to the farm his family worked on in Wenatchee. He pursued agriculture at Wenatchee Valley College and Washington State University and is currently an assistant ranch manager in Quincy. Jose is the son of Anita and Juan Garcia.
Renewed push for precision
Cornell research and extension urging growers to make precision crop load management a priority, including blossom thinning.
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.
Let in the light
Pruning in mature pear canopies can improve light and spray penetration, boosting fruit quality.
Herbie Annala, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
Herbie returned to the family farm with his wife, Dani Annala, after working as a metal fabricator in Portland, Oregon. He’s the son of Bev and Tim Annala.
Codling moth comeback
Growers try variety of methods to check a possible codling moth resurgence.
Parasitic wasps invited to a BMSB buffet
Samurai wasp releases seek to slice down population of brown marmorated stink bug.
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.
A bear of a problem for fruit growers — Video
Big pests a growing concern for orchards across the country.