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
Help from above for tree fruit growers
Changes in climate and wages may fuel a surge in aerial applications.
Crisis communication: Engage, don’t duck
Media experts recommend proactive and transparent communication during a crisis.
Ruben Canales, a young grower from Benton County, Washington
Ruben is a second-generation grower who has worked as a journeyman electrician to purchase his first orchard. He is the son of Liduvina and Ruben Canales.
Cherry trees and X disease: Remove now, replant when?
Experts share the latest findings and best practices for managing X disease.
Winter pruning your fourth- and fifth-leaf Cosmic Crisp — Videos
Washington State University's Stefano Musacchi demonstrates how to winter prune fourth- and fifth-leaf WA 38
Genetic study shows maturity matters in storage disorder development
Cutting-edge genetic research techniques help USDA postharvest scientists study fruit maturity and storage disorders.
A pathway for pears
WSU’s Musacchi says two-leader plantings can give pear growers the long-awaited benefits of higher density production today.
Changing overtime rules for ag
Washington growers await clarity on overtime mandate.
Washington vineyard betting on bubbles
One Washington winery is planting sparkling-specific vineyards to capitalize on the growing demand.
Clayton Ringer, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
Clayton is a first-generation farmer who returned to the Columbia Gorge after spending time working in industrial solar energy. He’s the son of Kristen and Jai Ringer.
Scharlau: Front row seats for all
With its virtual format, Washington Winegrowers’ signature event will look at the opportunities found in 2020 and the path forward.
Restart the ripening clock
A genetic discovery leads to new compound that could kick-start pear ripening and shows potential in sliced pears.
Robots keep social distance
Packing line automation spreads out employees during pandemic.
Optical advantage for fruit quality research
New state-of-the-art sorting line helps Washington State University researchers measure fruit quality.
Operation integration for orchard data deluge
Orchards produce more data than ever, but companies see the need for integration to help growers and packers use that data to make decisions.
Pandemic brings loads to bear with trucking rate
Hort Show speaker: Pandemic pushes already high shipping costs higher.
Family farm finds a fruitful future
New ventures in cider, wine and pear pizza bring more visitors and stronger financial footing to an Oregon fruit farm.
Internet matching investors with growers
‘Internet syndicators’: Web portals are linking investors with growers.
Erica Bland, a young grower from Dryden, Washington
Erica is a fourth-generation farmer with a degree in criminal justice and sits on the Blue Star Growers board of directors. Erica is the daughter of Vince and Lesa Bland.
The viral toll
Accounting for the costs of the deadly and disruptive coronavirus pandemic.
Can a lucky find now find a home?
Yakima-area grower hopes high-density-friendly habit of his apple can help it break through.
Profit by precision: 2020 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
2020 Grower of the Year Rod Farrow reflects on a career on the leading edge of precision horticulture in New York.
The king of crop load: 2020 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Precision crop load management drives Farrow’s success.
Parker and Sarah Sherrell, young growers from Hood River, Oregon
Sarah and Parker are first-generation farmers who recently purchased their own farm. Sarah graduated from University of Oregon and earned her master’s degree in business from George Fox University.
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.