The latest updates, exclusively from goodfruit.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
Homeland Security proposes H-2A fee increases
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed increasing foreign worker application fees, in some cases more than doubling them.
Branded variety news: Mardi Gras pear makes debut; SugarBee apple program expands
A new pear variety is hitting store shelves in February, marketed under the brand name Mardi Gras by Domex Superfresh Growers of Yakima, Washington.
Ag census deadline near
Feb. 6 is the deadline to respond to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, and participation is mandatory.
Cowiche Growers cooperative celebrates a century
Cowiche Growers, a grower-owned fruit packing cooperative in Washington’s Yakima Valley, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Washington Agriculture Safety Day in Yakima Feb. 1 and Wenatchee Feb. 22
Washington labor officials are seeking farmers for a customer service survey about the state’s agricultural workforce recruitment process.
Washington labor officials conducting customer service survey
Washington labor officials are seeking farmers for a customer service survey about the state’s agricultural workforce recruitment process.
2023 Cherry Institute hits Yakima
The 80th annual Cherry Institute in Yakima kicked off with a look back at the 2022 crop from B.J. Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers, which hosts the event.
Sullivan named 78th Cherry King
Pat Sullivan, who grows cherries along the Columbia River north of Pasco, Washington, was crowned the 2023 Cherry King on Jan. 13 at the annual Cherry Institute in Yakima.
Washington state delegates seek better U.S.-India trade
Washington state’s bipartisan U.S. Congress delegation is asking federal representatives to improve apple trade conditions with India.
Omnibus bill funds NW fruit research positions
The $1.7 trillion federal funding bill passed right before Christmas includes a couple of tree fruit nuggets.
Farm labor reform doesn’t make it into Senate’s spending bill
A last-ditch effort to pass a farm labor reform bill in the U.S. Senate has
UMN releases new cold-hardy white wine grape
The University of Minnesota has released a new cold-hardy white wine grape, named Clarion. According
EPA proposes new rules for rodenticide use
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new regulations for the use of nearly a dozen
Ag labor reform bill introduced in the Senate
A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers has floated a late-season bill that would attempt to do many of the same things as the Farm Workforce Modernization Act...
2023 Northwest Pear Research Review to be held Feb. 16
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, on behalf of the Fresh Pear Committee and Processed
Fire blight workshops and webinars scheduled in 2023
The Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center announced in a news release a series of workshops and webinars focused on the latest fire blight information...
The Next Fruit 4.0 project update offered via webinar Dec. 19
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission shared this announcement: The Next Fruit 4.0 project has
Processed Pear Committee nominations for Oregon positions set for Dec. 15
Nominations for positions on the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear Committee will take place Dec. 15 at
Apple research reviews Jan. 24 and 25
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission invites everyone interested to attend the 2023 Apple Crop
Grower and researcher honored for distinguished service in Michigan
The Michigan State Horticultural Society presented two Distinguished Service Awards during the 2022 Great Lakes
NW Hort Show Day 3 focused on little cherry disease
Scientists shared the latest research findings at the little cherry disease session on the final morning of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting in Wenatchee on Dec. 7.
Great Lakes EXPO, Day 2: Join the stone fruit revolution
Michigan State University horticulture professor Greg Lang is calling for a stone fruit revolution.
Big machines at Wenatchee’s Town Toyota Center
In a first for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association's annual meeting, the 2022 trade show has expanded to fill the Wenatchee, Washington, Town Toyota Center to accommodate large machinery, manufacturers and large farm equipment for the three-day show Dec 5–7.
Flying harvest robot demo drew a crowd at Interpoma — Video
Tevel Aerobotics' flying harvest robot was on display for attendees at the Interpoma apple trade show in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, in November.
Washington industry leaders honored at annual meeting banquet
During the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting banquet on Dec. 6, the association
Great Lakes EXPO, Day 1: Don’t panic
Fruit growers worried about invasive pests heard reassuring messages from speakers on Day 1 of the 2022 Great Lakes EXPO.
NW Hort Show highlights: Day 2
Day 2 of the NW Hort Show went deep into soil health, rootstock selection, ag investments and regulation.
NW Hort Show highlights: Day 1
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting and NW Hort Show is underway in Wenatchee.
AEWR expected to rise in 2023
Adverse Effect Wage Rates likely will go up across the nation next year if federal labor officials follow their standard practice.
Robots highlight Interpoma conference and trade show in Bolzano
The tour-goers with International Fruit Tree Association ended their Italian tour with two days at the big event, Interpoma...
Grape Society holds annual meeting to share research findings and crop updates, recognize industry members
Gary Schrimsher was honored with the Lloyd H. Porter Grower of the Year award by
IFTA Italy continues with Ferrara orchard tours and Venice
The International Fruit Tree Association’s tour of Italy — IFTAly, if you will — continued Nov. 14 in the Ferrara region with tours of high-density fruit blocks and a breeding company visit, followed by some sightseeing in Venice on Nov. 15.
Virtual soil health conference to be held in February
Want to learn more about soil health and the Washington Soil Health Initiative? Growers and
Cherry marketing committee representatives to be selected
Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee will take place
Washington State Fruit Commission board positions up for nomination
The following commissioner positions on the 16-member Washington State Fruit Commission board of directors will
Processed Pear Committee board nominations upcoming
Nominations for positions on the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear Committee will take place during the following
IFTA kicks off tour of Italy in Bologna
A tour of research trials at the world’s oldest university Nov. 13 and a visit to a massive agricultural equipment trade show Nov. 12 kicked off the International Fruit Tree Association’s tour of Northern Italy.
WSU’s 2023 North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days announced
2023 North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days are scheduled Jan. 17 to 19 in Wenatchee, Jan. 21 in Chelan and Feb. 7 in Omak
2022 apple residue report released
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission announced the publication of the 2022 pesticide residue study
Rep. Newhouse, joined by industry members, urges Senate to vote on Farm Workforce Modernization Act before end of legislative session
In a Yakima press conference, Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse urged his Senate colleagues to take action on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act before this legislative session ends at the end of the year.
Pear IPM intensive workshop Dec. 14 in Wenatchee
Washington State University Extension and the pear IPM team announced an intensive workshop to be
Technology Research Review Dec. 1 in Wenatchee
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission invites everyone interested to attend this year’s Technology Research
West-central Michigan research station displays tree fruit projects underway
The West Michigan Research Station has been operating for more than a year, and its research projects are starting to bear fruit.
Survey seeks input on mating disruption use in specialty crops
Oregon State University’s Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center staff is distributing a survey about integrated pest management mating disruption use in specialty crops.
NCAE Ag Labor Forum slated for Vegas
The National Council of Agricultural Employers will hold its ninth annual Ag Labor Forum Nov. 30–Dec. 2 in Las Vegas.
Growers have an extra 90 days to comply with new H-2A rule
Agricultural employers with existing H-2A workers should continue to follow the current federal rules, even if their workers’ contracts extend past the date that new rules are slated to take effect.
Columbia Fruit Packers and Frosty Packing announce merger and Goldman Sachs investment
Washington’s Columbia Fruit Packers of Wenatchee and Frosty Packing of Yakima have announced a merger, stemming from strategic investment from Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Annual Cherry Institute Jan. 13 in Yakima
The 80th annual Cherry Institute will be held in Yakima on Friday, Jan. 13.
2023 Northwest Cherry and Stone Fruit Research Review Nov. 8
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission invite everyone interested to
U.S. Department of Labor issues long-awaited final rule on H-2A regulatory modifications
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a long-awaited final rule that makes substantial changes to H-2A regulations.