Coronavirus coverage from Good Fruit Grower
Grab bag boom
Shippers adjust to increased demand for bags accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Gebbers Farms to invest nearly $2 million in worker housing and local communities as part of mediation agreement
Gebbers Farms announced a successful settlement with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries for alleged
Before vaccinations took effect, COVID-19 spread on Washington farm
A total of 45 employees tested positive for COVID-19 on May 27 at Gilbert Orchards
Washington softens COVID-19 restrictions for farmworker housing
In light of high vaccination rates among Washington’s farmworkers and shifting federal guidelines about coronavirus
Thurlby: Make room for blooms
Cherry industry takes notes on last season’s success and invests in healthy markets for 2021.
Growing relationships and profits
How a people-first approach helped one Washington wine grape grower succeed in a pandemic.
Washington extends and updates coronavirus worker housing rules
Washington workplace health and safety authorities have extended emergency rules for operating on-farm worker housing
Changing the culture on the farm
Several tree fruit growers pursue certification and worker training with the Equitable Food Initiative.
A shot in the arm for the industry
Fruit companies begin vaccinating employees en masse in hopes of turning the pandemic corner.
Oregon extends bunk bed ban indefinitely
Oregon workplace safety and health authorities have indefinitely extended temporary agricultural labor housing rules intended
Prepare, and react with care
An enduring lesson from 2020: the importance of an established crisis communication plan.
Sophomore slump for Cosmic Crisp?
Marketers point to pandemic pressure as Cosmic Crisp faces lower prices and slow movement.
Judge limits some of Washington’s COVID-19 rules
In a ruling on April 21, a Yakima County judge struck down a few emergency
Vaccination resources available for Washington and Oregon ag employers
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association is urging all industry employers to contact a local
Worker vaccination resources
Good Fruit Grower has collected these COVID-19 resources for agricultural employers. Click on a link
5-state cherry meeting to be held virtually May 19
Due to the ongoing limitations regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the annual 5-state meeting of the
COVID-19 positivity rate low for incoming Washington farmworkers
The Washington State Department of Health has contracted with Medical Teams International, a Seattle-based nonprofit,
Native American Agriculture Fund applauds passage of American Rescue Plan
The Native American Agriculture Fund, NAAF, applauded the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the
Washington farmworker vaccinations have begun
Fruit production companies in Washington have begun scrambling to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments for their employees, after Gov. Jay Inslee declared all agricultural workers eligible. Oregon is not far behind.
Fruit Logistica 2021 canceled
The Fruit Logistica Special Edition 2021, scheduled May 18–20 in Berlin, Germany, has been canceled
COVID rules, continued
Growers are gearing up for another season of work under coronavirus regulations.
Vaccination motivation
Groups spread message of coronavirus vaccine importance among farmworkers.
Crisis communication: Engage, don’t duck
Media experts recommend proactive and transparent communication during a crisis.
Michigan ag workers eligible for vaccine starting March 1
Michigan agricultural workers, like those seen here picking apples, will become eligible for the COVID-19
Washington ag groups sue state over COVID rules
Two agricultural employer groups plan to sue the state of Washington over the extension of
Washington state fines Gebbers Farms $2 million for COVID-19 safety violations
Summer deaths of two H-2A employees spurred investigations of health and safety violations in housing and transport.
Washington state cites and fines Evans Fruit $156,000 for not enforcing mask requirements
This week, Washington state cited and fined Evans Fruit Co. of Yakima $156,000 for two
Washington to grant flexibility for vaccinating farmworkers
Vials of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are lined up on a table earlier in January
Oregon State University launches COVID-19 response study
Farmers, orchardists and packing house managers in Oregon’s Hood River, Wasco and Klickitat counties are
Robots keep social distance
Packing line automation spreads out employees during pandemic.
2021 Cherry Institute spotlights Northwest cherry successes
Of all produce, cherries showed the highest percentage of dollar growth in March to September
Tree Fruit Day in Olympia to go virtual this year
Add the annual Tree Fruit Day in Olympia, Washington, to the list of events going
Ag groups seek higher vaccine priority for farmworkers
Washington tree fruit industry groups joined a coalition of agricultural organizations in asking Washington Gov.
Political prognostications
2021 will bring policy changes, challenges.
Ag groups appeal Washington’s extension of COVID-19 rules
Groups that represent agricultural employers are appealing Washington’s extension of emergency rules designed to protect
Pandemic brings loads to bear with trucking rate
Hort Show speaker: Pandemic pushes already high shipping costs higher.
Tree fruit industry asks for worker vaccine priority
Now that pharmaceutical companies are shipping the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the tree fruit industry is
Grape stats for 2020: good, bad and ugh-ly
Concord growers enjoy rising demand and prices, while Washington wine grape growers struggle with reduced demand, smoke concerns.
Agritourist attractions adapt for pandemic crowds
Pandemic-fatigued customers flock to farm markets in fall.
The viral toll
Accounting for the costs of the deadly and disruptive coronavirus pandemic.
Washington state fines Gebbers Farms $2 million for COVID-19 violations
Summer deaths of two H-2A employees spurred investigations of health and safety violations in housing and transport.
EEOC says employers may mandate the COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer workers move the BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine into cold transport containers before it is distributed
Cooperation keeps out coronavirus
Oregon growers dodge housing-related outbreaks and major labor shortages.
Washington farms asked to complete COVID-19 survey by Dec. 31
The University of Washington, Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture have
Hort Show Day 1: Apple variety overload again a topic at annual conference
Phil Lempert, keynote speaker at the Washington State Tree Fruit Association's live video event on
Prophecies from a Supermarket Guru
Keynote Hort Show speaker to share predictions of future grocery shopping.
The shows will go on(line)
Get the most out of your virtual conference experience.
DeVaney: Essential doesn’t mean easy
Reflecting on the Washington State Tree Fruit Association’s busy 2020 and looking ahead at industry priorities for 2021.
Washington dings more than 20 farms for COVID-19 violations
Coronavirus-related violations account for about 15 percent of Washington’s farms dinged by health and safety
Snyder: Agriculture is essential for a fruitful future
This year’s WSTFA Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo is going to a virtual platform.