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Defining organics
Northwest tree fruit industry speaks up when Seattle hosts the National Organic Standards Board.
Matthew Hendrickson fills new staff position at USApple
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release that Matthew Hendrickson will join the
Seneca closing pear processing plant
Closure leaves Northwest with only two pear processing facilities.
Good to Know: The disruption eruption
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission funding codling moth mating disruption for 30 years.
Erika Espinoza, a young grower from Tieton, Washington
family background / Erika grew up in Washington’s Yakima Valley and was trained in business
The margins of mechanization
Oregon State University economist assesses the costs and benefits of mechanizing vineyard tasks.
European cherry fruit fly quarantine in New York expands
Federal regulators have expanded the quarantine zone for the European cherry fruit fly in New
WSDA offering on-site airblast sprayer training through June
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is currently enrolling employers from the tree fruit industry
Healthy strategies for smokey skies
Keep your workers safe when pollution threatens.
Good to Know: 2019 Pacific Northwest cherry research funding
More than $930,000 provided for 20 different research projects.
Reducing the risk of listeria: Video
Food safety experts share strategies for monitoring and responding to ‘L. mono.’
Lessons learned from leafy greens
Last year’s E. coli outbreaks in romaine lettuce illustrate the challenges for food safety programs.
Working holidays a lifestyle for some ag workers
Traveling, camping workers pitch in for British Columbia’s busy tree fruit season.
Small growers find a new way to H-2A
Joint contracts help some wine grape growers share the cost and the crew.
Communication key to managing workplace complaints
How grievance policies make for better workers and businesses.
Easing restrictions for farmworker housing
Federal ag housing loans now open to H-2A employers.
Northwest farms sought for heat awareness project
University of Washington and Washington State University researchers are looking for Northwest farms to help
National Organic Standards Board discusses sanitizer reviews
Of all the synthetic products allowed in organic food production, sanitizers required for food safety
Mumps hits farmworkers
Health authorities have moved about 25 workers exposed to mumps into isolated houses in response
No-match letters from the Social Security Administration are back
Growers should keep an eye out for “no-match” letters from the Social Security Administration, which
USDA’s farmers.gov now features help with H-2A applications and managing loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched of two new features on farmers.gov to provide
Washington researchers get a look at European innovations
Research commission tour finds some exciting ideas but no major advances on technology tour in Germany and the Netherlands.
Dustin Tobin, a young grower from Grandview, Washington
family background/Dustin grew up working with his family at Dave Tobin Farms and studied viticulture
FDA announces wine grapes among commodities to be exempt from Produce Safety Rule
On March 27, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) issued a statement praising the U.S. Food and
Robotic picking machine’s first apple harvest underway: Video
Abundant Robotics debuts robotic harvester in New Zealand apple orchard for first harvest headed to market.
WSTFA offers FSMA training in English and Spanish on April 11, 12; May 2, 3
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association is offering FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses
US Apple flies in to Washington D.C.
Almost 100 apple growers from across the country traveled to Washington D.C. this week for
Harrison Van Meekeren, a young grower from Lakeville, Nova Scotia
family background / Harrison grew up in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and is
SWD resistance a red flag for organic growers
The only organic insecticide for spotted wing drosophila is losing efficacy as the pest gains resistance in berry production region of California.
USDA announces funds to fight spotted lanternfly
The fight against spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania got a $6.5 million boost this week with
New pesticide application method a shot in the bark
MSU researcher compares trunk injection to spray application for pear psylla control.
Sterile codling moth factory ‘a funky business’
British Columbia moth factory cranks out sterile bugs by the millions.
Breeding bugs to fly and die: Video
Researchers, technology company explore sterile codling moth releases in U.S. apple orchards.
Sale of Broetje Orchards creates FirstFruits Farms
New owner plans to continue many employee-support programs created by Broetje.
New Innovator grant targets pesticide residue
Fighting pests by spraying ozonated water and steaming them with hot, highly refined oil vapors:
Spanish-language FSMA training in Eastern WA March 5 and 6
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold a Spanish-language Produce Safety Alliance grower training
Spray researchers aim to catch their drift: Video
New drift assessment survey underway to improve models that predict pesticide drift risk and potentially preclude unnecessarily restrictive labels.
Steering the research on spray drift
UW researcher takes the wheel for drift data collection.
Winegrowers Day 2
Labor remains the biggest cost for wine grape growers in Washington, and for many, it
Highlights in the new Farm Bill
2018 Farm Bill includes several provisions that affect the tree fruit industry.
FSMA grower training offered in Eastern Washington Feb. 12, 13 and 20
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold a Produce Safety Alliance grower training course
Scharlau: Staying ahead of the issues
A look at some of the rules and regulations that will impact vintners and growers this year.
A pick of packing house highlights
Packing house highlights: Kershaw innovates old-school style, Washington Fruit stacks with robots and Columbia Fruit finds new vision with improved tunnel.
New York viticulturist, climatologist earn Excellence in IPM Awards
Alice Wise, viticulture and research specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, and Keith
Peracetic acid shines in sanitizer study
WSU researcher tinkers with sanitizers and best ways to use them.
Ozone filling a void for fruit packers
Organic storage and food safety needs drive renewed interest in ozone technology.
Good to Know: Wash and learn
It’s a fact of life: If you’re storing, holding or packing produce, you have a
Dininny: A+ effort on next apple defect guide
For years, Washington growers and packers have turned to a handy, 36-page guide to determine
Kurrle: 2019 brings challenges and opportunities
From agricultural labor to farm bill programs, regulations and trade agreements, the policies and decisions
Growers need a plan for preventing workplace discrimination
Attorney Sarah Wixson was impressed with her client, a Washington grower, for already having complex