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
Lesley Tamura, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
Lesley graduated from Western Oregon University with a teaching degree and taught for 10 years. She then returned to the family pear farm in 2016 to work alongside her parents, Jacquie Harrison and Gary Tamura.
Room to grow in Ontario
Expanding direct-sale opportunities starts with wide tree rows at Ontario farm.
Javier Valencia, a young grower from Sunnyside, Washington
Javier is a second-generation grower from Washington’s Yakima Valley. He works as the viticulturist for Brothers in Farms and is the son of Brenda Lee and Javier Ayala Valencia.
Spray specialist promotes crop-adapted approach
IFTA tour stop highlights basics of crop-adapted spraying approach and benefits to apple growers.
Big things underway in Ontario
International Fruit Tree Association takes growers across Canadian province for an uplifting view of some industry innovations.
The right tools for the job — Video
Ontario family’s experiments with equipment pay off in the orchards.
Pear industry ripe for a rescue
What’s the future for pears? It’s complicated and urgent, and the industry is working to tackle the issue.
Hayden Dooney, a young grower from Simcoe, Ontario
Hayden grew up on a family farm in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. After traveling for work, he settled down in Simcoe, working for Norfolk Fruit Growers Association and buying his first orchard with his wife, Amanda.
Food safety first
New Borton Fruit facility, designed from ground up with food safety in mind, expected to reduce risks and costs.
Jaden and John Griggs, young growers from Orondo, Washington
family background/ Jaden and John are the fifth generation to work on the family farm. Jaden will attend the University of Montana, majoring in business, sales and marketing this fall, and John graduated from Wenatchee Valley College’s tree fruit program.
Sprayers, bin trailers and pie, oh my: Final day of the IFTA tour in Ontario ends on a sweet note
When the Botden family immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands almost 20 years ago, they brought tractors and other equipment with them to start their new orchards in the Georgian Bay region of Canada.
From South Tyrol to the Georgian Bay, systems star on the second day of the IFTA Ontario tour
Concrete posts, breakaway netting clips and assorted hardware from Italy were one of the highlights
Systems evolution — and sprayers that can adapt — the focus of the first day of IFTA in Ontario
A Hol Spraying System CF airblast sprayer is demonstrated at one of Hedges Apples newer
Growers share insights on a wide variety of systems at Lake Ontario field day
Growers shared insights during a field day organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Lake Ontario Fruit
State agencies offer readiness reviews for FSMA inspections
Mock inspections offer growers an educational opportunity to make sure they feel prepared.
Josh Heinicke, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
https://youtu.be/4-7Uy5qsYwQ family background / Josh is the fourth generation of his family in farming and
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
https://youtu.be/4upoLWmDeOk family background / Erika grew up in Washington’s Yakima Valley and was trained in
Erin Carlson, a young grower from Summerland, British Columbia
https://youtu.be/j6nyF1ohOQQ family background/ Erin received her agriculture degree in organics at the University of Guelph
Michael Mitterer, a young grower from Kastelbell, South Tyrol, Italy
https://youtu.be/9wuHYXJaAio family background / Michael grew up working at his family farm in the Alps
Dustin Tobin, a young grower from Grandview, Washington
https://youtu.be/QBDNg8YDwV8 family background/Dustin grew up working with his family at Dave Tobin Farms and studied
Harrison Van Meekeren, a young grower from Lakeville, Nova Scotia
https://youtu.be/o_kqGWKwkTk family background / Harrison grew up in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and
Ryan Johnson, a young grower from Harrah, Washington
https://youtu.be/c4wr824jEnk family background/Ryan is an operations manager at the nursery. He grew up working various
Roland Markgraf, a young grower from Kelowna, British Columbia
https://youtu.be/HOpOWGRf3IE family background / Roland will be graduating from University of British Columbia with a
Nereyida Ponce, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
https://youtu.be/n5Gz_95FmW8 family background/Nereyida grew up on her family’s farm growing Concord grapes. She is pursuing
Dan Norman, a young grower from Sparta, Michigan
https://youtu.be/zg5xYhPLDJA family background/ Dan is a first-generation tree fruit grower who wants to build on
Michelle Cortens, a young grower from Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHI9nMXT8K8 family background/Michelle is the first generation in her family in agriculture. She grew up
Behind the scenes: 2019 Good Fruit Grower cover launch
https://youtu.be/IjlwrjwUPcU Shane Davies takes off from the summit of Te Mata Peak overlooking Hawke's Bay,
Flor Maldonado, a young grower from Tonasket, Washington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwVo-6gUUPs family background / Flor grew up on farms, since she was a small child,
Tree fruit industry leaders honored at 2018 Washington awards banquet
Mike Willett, center, receives the Distinguished Service Award during the Washington State Tree Fruit
WSTFA18: Postharvest problems
The final day two panel covering harvest management shares a laugh at the conclusion
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,
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.
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
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.”