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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
Listeria hot spots
Study ranks packing line locations for prevalence of pathogen indicators.
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
Sophomore slump for Cosmic Crisp?
Marketers point to pandemic pressure as Cosmic Crisp faces lower prices and slow movement.
Prepare, and react with care
An enduring lesson from 2020: the importance of an established crisis communication plan.
Rising costs and concerns for farm labor
New York fruit growers adjust to higher wages, worry about future.
Tynan: Hopes for labor reform
The compromise approach in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act garnered bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, but can it go the political distance?
Judge limits some of Washington’s COVID-19 rules
In a ruling on April 21, a Yakima County judge struck down a few emergency
IFTA regional roundup
Annual winter conference highlights planting trends throughout North America.
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
Washington House passes overtime bill
The Washington agricultural overtime bill passed the state House of Representatives on April 12, offering
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,
U.S. House approves the Farm Workforce Modernization Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act with bipartisan support on
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
Produce Safety Rule trainings available in Yakima and Wenatchee
Registration is open for Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training courses in March and April, subsidized
COVID rules, continued
Growers are gearing up for another season of work under coronavirus regulations.
Solid set system offers airblast alternative
After nearly a decade of research, solid set canopy delivery system ready for commercialization, but questions remain about costs and potential demand.
Washington State Senate advances overtime bill that prevents retroactive pay claims
Washington growers concerned about retroactive overtime pay liability got one step closer to certainty on
Fungicide resistance is noticed
Researchers ask cherry growers to temporarily avoid two cherry powdery mildew fungicide groups.
Judge tosses Washington wage survey, rebukes ag employers
A federal judge in Washington state has thrown out the results of a Washington agricultural
Vaccination motivation
Groups spread message of coronavirus vaccine importance among farmworkers.
Help from above for tree fruit growers
Changes in climate and wages may fuel a surge in aerial applications.
Crisis communication: Engage, don’t duck
Media experts recommend proactive and transparent communication during a crisis.
What can chitosan do?
Seafood byproduct might help prevent apple scab.
Doubling down on reducing drift
New compliance focus and new training program proposal in Washington aim to improve pesticide safety without additional regulation.
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
Critzer: $7 million investment in food safety decision aid
A new SCRI grant funds scientists and economists to help fresh produce producers better protect produce safety.
AEWR expected to rise again
Editor's note: The U.S. Department of Labor has finalized the 2021 Adverse Effect Wage Rate
Trade authorities decline blueberry relief request
Federal trade officials have determined that imported blueberries are not hurting domestic growers, denying the
App delivers new language for labels
UW researchers develop phone apps to translate pesticide labels.
Collaborative robotics tested in tree fruit
Researchers develop platform that mixes automation with human hands.
Changing overtime rules for ag
Washington growers await clarity on overtime mandate.
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.
H-2A rules remain the same, after proposed changes and lawsuits
After more than a year of proposed changes, lawsuits and “final” changes that ended up
2021 Cherry Institute spotlights Northwest cherry successes
Of all produce, cherries showed the highest percentage of dollar growth in March to September