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
Josh Heinicke, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
family background / Josh is the fourth generation of his family in farming and is
Setting the course for future varieties – Video
The stewards of Honeycrisp and Cosmic Crisp discuss how these varieties came to be and how the programs were shaped by their discoveries.
Erika Espinoza, a young grower from Tieton, Washington
family background / Erika grew up in Washington’s Yakima Valley and was trained in business
Erin Carlson, a young grower from Summerland, British Columbia
family background/ Erin received her agriculture degree in organics at the University of Guelph in
Michael Mitterer, a young grower from Kastelbell, South Tyrol, Italy
family background / Michael grew up working at his family farm in the Alps in
Dustin Tobin, a young grower from Grandview, Washington
family background/Dustin grew up working with his family at Dave Tobin Farms and studied viticulture
Harrison Van Meekeren, a young grower from Lakeville, Nova Scotia
family background / Harrison grew up in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and is
Ryan Johnson, a young grower from Harrah, Washington
family background/Ryan is an operations manager at the nursery. He grew up working various jobs
Roland Markgraf, a young grower from Kelowna, British Columbia
family background / Roland will be graduating from University of British Columbia with a degree
Nereyida Ponce, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
family background/Nereyida grew up on her family’s farm growing Concord grapes. She is pursuing her
Dan Norman, a young grower from Sparta, Michigan
family background/ Dan is a first-generation tree fruit grower who wants to build on the
Michelle Cortens, a young grower from Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
family background/Michelle is the first generation in her family in agriculture. She grew up in
Behind the scenes: 2019 Good Fruit Grower cover launch
Shane Davies takes off from the summit of Te Mata Peak overlooking Hawke’s Bay, New
Flor Maldonado, a young grower from Tonasket, Washington
family background / Flor grew up on farms, since she was a small child, helping
Tree fruit industry leaders honored at 2018 Washington awards banquet
For more than 35 years, Mike Willett has made significant contributions to the Northwest tree
WSTFA18: Postharvest problems
Washington State University Extension, in cooperation with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and Good
WSTFA annual meeting, Day 1
A wrap of the first day's discussions at the WSTFA Annual Meeting and Hort Show in Yakima
Conquering Concords
Study aims to help growers make juice grapes profitable.
IFTA B.C. tour: Crafty choices
How British Columbia’s apple industry looks to add value through cider.
IFTA B.C. tour: A taste of history
Okanagan growers share their deep roots during the International Fruit Tree Association summer tour.
Rise of the machines: Are you ready to mechanize? – Video
Near-fully mechanized vineyards are leading the way to premium wine grapes.
Devyani Isabel Gupta, a young grower in Walla Walla, Washington
family background / Devyani, a past recipient of the Walter J. Clore Scholarship, obtained a
Is apple clearwing moth on the move?
After infesting orchards in British Columbia, there are indications this pest may have already reached Washington state.
After Ambrosia: ‘Where do we go from here?’
B.C. apple growers looking for next variety after years of Ambrosia reliance.
Washington growers lower their 2018 apple crop expectations
Washington growers confirm their suspicions of a lighter-than-expected crop with a revised smaller 2018 forecast.
2018 apple harvest by the numbers
Industry looks into crystal ball for 2018 forecast around the globe.
Matt Duke, a young grower in Yakima, Washington
family background/Matt is the first generation of his family to work in agriculture. He has
New regulations over wine wastewater
Reactions are mixed over new rule requiring many Washington state wineries to obtain a permit.
A fruiting wall future
Researchers push forward in search for dwarfing rootstocks, high-density systems for pears.
Cool cherry covers
British Columbia growers using Mylar covers to help protect freshly picked cherries.
IFTA B.C. tour: Some promising previews
Summerland shows off a few of its up and coming cherry varieties at IFTA.
IFTA B.C. tour: Light vision
Researcher gauging use of spectrometer to aid in harvest decisions.
IFTA B.C. tour: Land of late and lucrative cherries – Video
British Columbia growers double down to hit the late-season market.
Madeleine van Roechoudt, a young grower from Lake Country, British Columbia
family background/ Madeleine continues a multigenerational farm that began north of Kelowna in 1949. The
Tree fruit added to U.S. relief program for food impacted by trade disputes
The Food Purchase and Distribution Program will buy up to $1.2 billion in food products “unfairly targeted by unjustified retaliation.”
Going undercover with drape netting
U.S. universities embark on studies to examine drape netting over high-value apple orchards.
Battling birds with lights, sounds : Videos
Makers of new noise and laser deterrents promise birds won’t habituate to the technology.
MCP treatments can be tricky
New study confirms numerous factors that go into successfully using MCP on pears.
Guilherme Fontanella Sander, a young grower from Vale do Sol, Brazil
family background / Guilherme grew up working alongside his father Renato and mother Edna at
That’s a wrap: IFTA summer tour concludes
A visit to a high-density Ambrosia and Honeycrisp orchard overlooking the upper stretches of Okanagan Lake brought the International Fruit Tree Association summer tour to a conclusion.
Where no cherry has gone before — IFTA BC tour Day 2
Tree fruit growers in British Columbia, Canada, are planting cherries in places where they won’t pick until mid-September.
IFTA tours Summerland research center’s genetic diversity
A glimpse of 30,000 apple varieties in various stages of propagation overlooking the shores of Okanagan Lake highlighted the first day of the International Tree Fruit Association summer tour through British Columbia.
Steven Murray Jr., a young grower from Bakersfield, California
family background / Steven has helped change Murray Family Farms’ business, adding farm markets and
Northern exposure
See why Vineland apricots bred in Ontario are getting attention.
WSU reveals its wild cider
Students start cider apple breeding program to learn techniques.
Plans within plants
Managing sheer number of samples, volume of data is focus for breeding program.
Post-Cosmic question: What’s next?
With launch of WA 38 underway, WSU’s apple breeding program hopes to build on successes.
Elizabeth Bourcier, a young grower from Walla Walla, Washington
family background / Elizabeth studied winemaking and viticulture at Walla Walla Community College and California
Growing at a high level
Planting 60 percent Lapins. Wrapping trunks with insulation. Expecting some trees to die every year.
Small trees, big cherries?
Limited release of MSU’s dwarfing rootstocks gives growers a chance to experiment.