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Organic production suffers with the silent treatment
Grower comments help protect access to needed materials.
Proposed amendment targets fraud in organic industry
Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule would clarify USDA organic regulations.
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
A deal for canned pears
Under new law, processors and growers reach price agreement.
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.
Appeals judge upholds WSU Cosmic Crisp victory over Phytelligence
A federal appeals judge has ruled in favor of Washington State University in its lawsuit
Moffitt: Promotional reaction
Pear Bureau adapts quickly to retail changes.
California farmworkers receive donation of N-95 masks
The California Fresh Fruit Association and California Farmworker Foundation announced in a news release they
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.
Turning up the heat raises risks for ag workers
Strategies are available to help workers beat the heat, including face masks for summer wear.
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
Latest pesticide residue report now available
Good Fruit Grower received the following announcement from the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission: Since
A long and fruitful fruition for Apple Vacuum System
After years of collaboration, testing and improvements, vacuum harvest system nearly ready for mass production.
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
Christopher Gerlach to join USApple as director of industry analytics
Christopher Gerlach The U.S. Apple Association announced Christopher Gerlach will join the organization as director
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
Prevailing frustrations over wage surveys
Washington blueberry wage ruling puts a spotlight on the prevailing wage surveys.
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.
Another Cosmic lawsuit filed
Management company accuses nursery of illegal propagation of WA 38 trees.
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