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Organic apple production remains complicated in the Northeastern U.S.
Organic apple production remains complicated in the Northeastern U.S., but one grower has figured out how to make a profit on processing apples.
Organics programs need all voices
A sticky situation: Industry is urging growers to get involved with standards board.
Produce Safety training courses set for Wenatchee
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training courses on Oct. 24 and 25 in Wenatchee, Washington.
Mid-Columbia CORE pesticide training set
Mid-Columbia CORE pesticide training is scheduled for Dec. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will be held in the Columbia Gorge Community College Lecture Hall, Building 2 in The Dalles.
House bill would revamp H-2A program
Northwest tree fruit industry groups tentatively praised Monday’s effort by U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, to revamp the nation’s agricultural guest worker program.
Following the high-density leaders – 2017 IFTA
Michigan’s early adopters of high-density systems share tips for multiple leaders and cropping techniques.
The global fire blight fight
Belgian researchers at pcfruit are examining biocontrols and detection methods for fire blight.
Growers in pursuit of precision agriculture
Researchers and growers in New York aim to push high-density orchards to peak performance.
Justices hear arguments on farmworker piece-rate wages
Washington State Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Sept. 14 at the Temple of Justice in Olympia on the question of whether employers should be mandated to pay their piece-rate workers a separate hourly rate for work not directly connected to production, such as training or waiting for equipment.
Sustainable and less sticky solutions for pear psylla
New pear IPM project looks at potential for biocontrols and pest repellents.
Packers improve, impress with pears
Wenatchee pear packers show Interpera group new technology on their lines.
Piece-rate details back in court
The legal vagaries of piece-rate compensation will continue Sept. 14 when Washington’s Supreme Court hears arguments about whether growers should have to pay their workers separately for meetings, traveling to and from orchards and other forms of “unproductive time.”
WAEF hosting ESL forum in Central Washington
The Washington Apple Education Foundation will host its fifth adult English as a second language forum on Sept. 13 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. The forum is open to providers of adult ESL located in Central Washington.
Free event in Yakima for growers Sept. 21 on intellectual property management
Lynnell Brandt, left, president of Proprietary Variety Management, discusses licensing and grade standards of
Allan Bros. paces innovation
Longtime Washington fruit company leads the way with development of new technologies, including collaboration on vacuum picker.
California eyes changes to chlorpyrifos regulation
The California Environmental Protection Agency has announced that two state agencies are pursuing actions that could lead to increased restrictions on chlorpyrifos, a widely used agricultural pesticide.
Cherry pesticide residue survey results available
The results of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission’s seventh annual cherry pesticide residue survey are now available.
WSTFA releases hand washing training video
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association has released a training video on hand washing for tree fruit packing house employees.
A better way to spray
Application tech specialist from Ontario finds crop-adapted spraying reduces pesticide use by an average of 25 percent.
Entomologists join WSU for pear IPM project
Louie Nottingham Two new entomologists have joined the Washington State University’s Tree Fruit
Orchard mechanization gains momentum
Growers increasingly find ways to adopt new technologies across all four seasons.
Willett: Taking advantage of technology
The desire to automate segments of the tree fruit industry isn’t new. At its formation,
The ag advocates
Hort Council presses on amid leadership change.
Thwarting a cherry killer
Early research suggests acclimating trees and sending them into early dormancy may help prevent bacterial canker infections.
Bryant Christie Inc. celebrates 25th anniversary
Bill Bryant, left, and James Christie of Bryant Christie Inc. (Courtesy photo) Bryant
Craig Harris, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
family background / Craig is a fourth-generation farmer who graduated from Whitworth College.
Mite threatening honeybees in New York
A tiny mite is being blamed for major honeybee losses in New York, threatening the state’s $500 million agriculture industry.
To KGB or not to KGB?
Some cherry growers expand, some scale back on labor-friendly Kym Green Bush systems.
Thinking of changing varieties? These growers have some advice.
Switch decision: Why is this new apple the right variety for me?
U.S. congressmen ask for analysis of Polish apples
Two Republican lawmakers from apple producing states have asked for a full pest and disease risk analysis of fruit imported from Poland, a nation that has not previously met U.S. requirements.
Gilbert: Farm Bill bears fruit for all
A Good Fruit Grower Good Point by Sean Gilbert, Gilbert Orchards
L.A. Times: Trump promised a ‘big beautiful door’ in his border wall. California farmers are ready and waiting
From the Los Angeles Times: More than 11,000 foreign guest workers like Betancourt were approved
Sugar sours birds on eating valuable cherry crops
Sweet revenge for bird control
Sanitation workshops set for May 31, June 1
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association and the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission will host cleaning and sanitation workshops on May 31 in Naches, Washington, and on June 1 in East Wenatchee, Washington.
Ag groups respond to Trump’s proposed budget
Here is an ongoing roundup of responses to President Donald Trump's federal budget proposal, which
Make the most of your mulch – Video
Pruning wood and mowing weeds can provide extra food for soil organisms that help keep trees healthy.
Tart cherries growers shake it up in the Northwest – Video
Under the canopy, a mechanical claw reaches out to grasp the trunk, clamps
Glade Brosi, young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
family background / Glade is originally from Kentucky and joined Stemilt in 2011
WSDA dedicates research greenhouse to study plant viruses
Lauri Guerra, Washington Department of Agriculture plant pathology project coordinator, gives a tour of
H-2A expands despite costs
Even with political questions, legal risks and high costs, growers across the U.S. continue to hire foreign guest workers.
Modernizing the nursery with machines
Improvements in machines bring increased adaptation.
Grower shares family’s succession story
Planning for the future
What’s next with FSMA?
Most regulations tied to passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act won’t take effect until
Food safety answers: What’s in your water? — Videos
Questions abound about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. To keep you abreast of
New technology allows apples to offer feedback about CA conditions
How low can you go?
Growers, supervisors look to ease immigration concerns
Trying to calm fears among workers.
Prepare new leaders for success
For best results, coach new crew bosses the ways of management.
EPA tightens workplace rules
Agency introduces substantial updates to protection standards.
10 tips for hiring new workers
Put in the work on hiring and entice your best to return