Coronavirus coverage from Good Fruit Grower
Oregon extends farm housing rules through winter
The state of Oregon has extended through the winter its temporary farm labor housing restrictions
Oregon COVID-19 reimbursement deadlines near
Oregon growers have until Oct. 25 to apply for reimbursement for any extra costs they
The pandemic press on apple marketing
Marketers, retailers respond to a year of chaos for consumers.
An unprecedented year
USApple focuses on positive during virtual conference.
Fryhover: Allow apple competition
With exports falling, the Washington Apple Commission looks to focus on home court strength.
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.
Transcontinental transfer keeps harvest on track
Peach orchards in Colorado and South Carolina shuttle H-2A workers to avoid job losses.
USDA announces $14 billion in coronavirus relief funds with expanded eligibility
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a second round of assistance for producers impacted by
Courts uphold Michigan farmworker testing order
On Sept. 9, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved dismissal
Gebbers Farms testing shows low COVID-19 infection rate
State-mandated coronavirus testing at Gebbers Farms has so far showed a relatively low infection rate
So much uncertainty for wine industry
Grape growers expect less demand, lower prices at harvest and hope Congress will make wine grapes eligible for future pandemic relief programs.
Moffitt: Promotional reaction
Pear Bureau adapts quickly to retail changes.
Virtual happy hour
When coronavirus closed tasting room doors, winemakers turned to online events.
Auction of Washington Wines raises over $1.74 million
In its first-ever virtual event series, the Auction of Washington Wines raised more than $1.74
Washington state mandates farmworker testing for coronavirus
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has mandated that all agricultural employers “broadly” test their workers in
Sanitation rules with coronavirus
Regulators enforcing measures to prevent spread.
Asking about masking
Volunteers provide face masks for essential workers through Cornell Farmworker Program.
WSTFA Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo going online
Citing concerns about coronavirus restrictions, the Washington State Tree Fruit Association announced in a news
U-pick in a pandemic
Farms test new safety measures before busy season begins in fall.
Industry eyeing apples aplenty
Trade wars, pandemic are responsible for too much fruit in storage.
Interpoma announces online events
Interpoma, the international fair dedicated to the world of apples, will be presented in a
Auction of Washington Wines event goes online Aug. 11–15
For the first time in its 33-year history, the Auction of Washington Wines’ annual August
Great Lakes EXPO moves to virtual format for 2020
The Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO announced in a news release on
Free tickets now available for Fruit Focus LIVE
Here’s an opportunity to attend an industry event in Europe this year, at least virtually.
Foundation donates to West Coast undocumented farmworkers
Drawing from private donations, a foundation connected to the United Farm Workers Union is distributing
Blueberries eligible for coronavirus relief payments
Just as for apples, the federal government has changed its mind and made blueberries eligible
IFTA cancels Italy tour
The International Fruit Tree Association has canceled its study tour that was scheduled through the
Masks vs. no masks: Photos could help with employee training
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s a cliché for a reason. A Washington
USDA agrees apple growers qualify for CFAP funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a correction to its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
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.
Backup plans underway for industry events
Groups brace for contingencies, even for events months in the future.
Fruit industry questions eligibility for USDA direct payment program
Few tree fruit growers able to access benefits as program began.
Washington shippers making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts so distributors can supply nonprofits, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Apple industry appeals to USDA to revisit pandemic payment eligibility
USApple says the USDA used flawed approach that found most apple growers ineligible for support despite price declines and sales slowdowns
Auction of Washington Wines introduces virtual tasting series
Auction of Washington Wines announced in a news release a series of seven virtual taste-along
Farming amid the coronavirus
Growers find ways large and small to farm safely during the pandemic.
Coronavirus causing distancing disruptions
With regulations in flux on rules for housing temporary workers, many questions remain as the busy harvest time approaches.
Use extra caution when handling leave requests
With many new regulations, employment lawyer telling growers to "walk through it carefully."
States issue more coronavirus farming rules
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces several times a day is among new agricultural mandates from Washington Gov.
Prengaman: 2020 revision
We're going on, just like you.
Marketing pears in a pandemic
The Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meeting featured updates on marketing pivots and planning for the season ahead.
2020 USApple Outlook will be held virtually
The U.S. Apple Association will shift its Outlook 2020 Conference to a virtual event, still
United Fresh and Cornell University offer crisis leadership course
United Fresh announced in a news release a new United Fresh and Cornell University Executive
Apple, pear growers eligible for USDA pandemic relief fund
Tree fruit industry groups seek clarity on eligibility details for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Developing digital demand
Marketers scramble to create online impulse shopping for cherries post-coronavirus.
Two Washington shippers start making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts to distributors to supply nonprofits directly, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Washington allows bunk beds during pandemic
Bunk beds in Washington are still in. The state Department of Labor and Industries issued
Thurlby: A cherry market that no one has ever seen
Pandemic pressures push cherry promotions to quickly adapt to online shopping and digital marketing, but Northwest Cherry Growers is up to the challenge.