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Cami Brandt, a young grower from Wapato, Washington
Cami earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Central Washington University and is working on her master’s degree in business at Eastern Washington University. She is the daughter of Paul Brandt.
Planning and preparation allows an early exit from farming
Third-generation grower retires early on his terms.
Reid Donaldson, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
Reid Donaldson, a young grower from Yakima, Washington...
Anthony Wiley, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
Anthony is an agricultural engineer who grew up in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills then graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering, specializing in machinery systems. He is the son of Rachelle and Jason Wiley.
Moyer named board president of American Society for Enology and Viticulture
Michelle Moyer, Washington State University professor and viticulture extension specialist, has been confirmed as the president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture for 2023–24...
Phil Rowley named Cherry Industry Person of the Year
Phil Rowley was named the 2023 Cherry Industry Person of the Year for his contributions to the U.S. cherry industry...
Ben Heusinkvelt, a young grower from Columbus, Nebraska
Ben grew up outside Lincoln, Nebraska, and is a first-generation grower with a natural resources degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He is the son of Mary and Bryan Heusinkvelt.
Ella Vincent, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
family background/Ella is a second-generation farmer who graduated from Washington State University with a degree in viticulture and enology. She is the daughter of Cindy and Mike Vincent.
Washington State Wine Commission hires Kristina Kelley as new executive director
The Washington State Wine Commission has hired Kristina Kelley as its new executive director...
Adrian Heffron, a young grower from Outlook, Washington
family background/Adrian is a fifth-generation farmer pursuing a horticulture degree at Wenatchee Valley College. He has two brothers, John and Ian, and is the son of Diana and John Heffron.
Viridiana (Viri) Acevedo, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/Viridiana is originally from Michoacán, Mexico, and grew up in Royal City. She is working on a degree at Wenatchee Valley College and is the daughter of Rafaela Saucedo and Leonardo Acevedo.
Bernadine Strik: 1962–2023
Blueberry industry leader Bernadine Strik died April 14 in Corvallis, Oregon.
Daisy Arias, a young grower from Entiat, Washington
Daisy earned her bachelor’s degree in fruit and vegetable management at Washington State University and is a research assistant at Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee. She is the daughter of Teresa and Pedro Arias.
Thiago Campbell, a young grower from Homestead, Florida
Thiago earned his horticulture degree from the University of Florida, a master’s degree at Penn State University and is working on his doctorate from Washington State University. He’s the son of Cecilia and Richard Campbell.
Mast named 2023 Apple Citizen of the Year
Bob Mast, president of Wenatchee-based CMI Orchards, was named the 2023 Apple Citizen of the Year...
Brandt and Trent Swindeman, young growers from Deerfield, Michigan
Brandt went to Albion College in Michigan and Trent went to Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, both studying business. They are the sons of Mary Pat and Jim Swindeman.
North American Blueberry Council hires Houtby as government affairs director
The North American Blueberry Council has selected Alyssa Houtby as its new government affairs director...
Industry appreciates how Adam loves apples
A blogger with over 300 apple reviews under his belt shares his insights with the industry.
Kai Jenks, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Kai graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in horticulture and works at Northwest Wholesale and his family business. He has four siblings and is the son of Heather and Justin Jenks and grandson of John and Mary Jenks.
Harvest handoff for longtime fieldman
Though they come from different generations, fieldmen share a people-first philosophy.
Lewis joins Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
Mary “Bess” Lewis joined the Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development team as a management development specialist...
USApple creates environmental position, promotes Liwanag
The U.S. Apple Association has promoted one of its staff members to the newly created position of manager of environmental affairs.
Devon Griffith, a young grower from Manson, Washington
Devon grew up on a tree fruit farm, graduated from Washington State University with an integrated plant sciences degree and now works in the wine industry. He is married to Lauren Griffith and is the son of Heidi and Earl Griffith.
Longtime Horse Heaven Hills supervisor named Grower of the Year at WineVit
Hipolito Vargas, with 40 years as a supervisor of Champoux Vineyards, was named the Erick Hanson Memorial 2023 Grower of the Year on Feb. 9 at the annual WineVit conference in Kennewick, Washington.
USApple announces 2023 NextGen Apple Fellowship class
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release the 2023 class of its emerging leader program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship.
Sam Godwin takes on chair role at Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Jim Doornink steps down after decades
After decades in a leadership role at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, board member Jim Doornink is stepping down as chair. He will be replaced by Sam Godwin, a grower from Tonasket, Washington.
Miriah Falce, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
Miriah is the first generation in her family to work in agriculture, graduating from Yakima Valley College’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program. Her parents are Elizabeth and Raymond Falce.
Tyson McCallum, a young grower from Ephrata, Washington
Tyson is a first-generation farmer from Anacortes, Washington, who graduated from Edmonds Community College with a degree in nursery and greenhouse management. He is the son of Rick and Tee McCallum.
Joseph and David Tisch, young growers from Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
Joseph, left, and David are first-generation apple farmers who are attending University of Wisconsin. They are the sons of Laura and Brad Tisch and have three siblings.
Grower and researcher honored for distinguished service in Michigan
The Michigan State Horticultural Society presented two Distinguished Service Awards during the 2022 Great Lakes
Washington industry leaders honored at annual meeting banquet
During the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting banquet on Dec. 6, the association
Lisa Aceves, a young grower from Tieton, Washington
Lisa is a third-generation farmer who started in high school and is now the orchard operations supervisor. Lisa is the granddaughter of Frances and Tony Peña, daughter of Maria Peña and Roy Aceves and works with her sister, Rosa, and brother, Rogelio.
Bernadette Gagnier, a young grower from Snohomish, Washington
Bernadette is pursuing her doctorate in horticulture, specializing in alternative strategies for nematode management in wine grape systems in Washington state. She is the daughter of Jeanette and Rick Gagnier.
Sarah Lott Zost, a young grower from Gardners, Pennsylvania
Sarah is a fourth-generation grower who graduated from Michigan State University and is the co-chair of the Mid-Atlantic Young Grower Alliance. She is married to Mitch Zost and is the daughter of Barb and Jim Lott.
Nathan Davis, a young grower from Odell, Oregon
Nathan returned to the family pear farm in the Hood River Valley about two years ago. He and his brother, Aubrey, work with their dad, Phil, and uncle, Jack Davis.
Leticia Trejo, a young grower from Bridgeport, Washington
Leticia graduated from Washington State University with a degree in agricultural food systems. She is married to Marc Martinez and is the daughter of Diana and Donato Trejo.
Apple commission hires communications specialist
The Washington Apple Commission announced the hiring of Jennie Strong as the commission’s new communications
Newly created V&E department at WSU to welcome first chair, viticulture professor Jean Dodson Peterson
This fall, the new Washington State University Department of Viticulture and Enology will welcome its
California Association of Winegrape Growers announces Natalie Collins as interim president
Natalie Collins The California Association of Winegrape Growers announced in a news release the appointment
Ty Muxlow, a young grower from Kingsburg, California
Ty graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in ag business and plant science. He’s the son of Becky and Andy Muxlow.
Pear Bureau Northwest Promotes Bob Catinella to director of merchandising
Pear Bureau Northwest announced in a news release the promotion of Bob Catinella to director
Eric Mussen: 1944–2022
Honey bee authority Eric Carnes Mussen, an internationally known California Cooperative Extension apiculturist and member
John Paul and Adam Baugher, from Aspers, Pennsylvania
Both Adam and John Paul are part of the fifth generation operating their family farm. John Paul went to Penn State University and Adam went to Bloomsburg University. They are the sons of Cindy and Chris Baugher.
Blueberry councils hire Joe Vargas as director of business intelligence
Joe Vargas has been hired as the director of business intelligence for the U.S. Highbush
Connor Duim, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Connor graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in sustainable agriculture. He’s the son of Sheryl and Mike Duim.
Jutsely Rivera, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
Jutsely is a second-generation farmer who earned an environmental studies and chemistry degree from Gonzaga University. She’s the daughter of Ana Valenzuela and Jose Rivera.
Wafla hires CEO, communications director
Wafla, a nonprofit farm labor association based in Lacey, Washington, has named Enrique “Rick” Gastelum
Wendy Powers named WSU ag dean
Wendy Powers Wendy Powers of the University of California has been named the next dean
CIAB names Heather Weber new executive director
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), the tart cherry industry’s federal marketing order, has named
Johanny Castro Chinchilla, a young grower from San José, Costa Rica
Johanny grew up working on a coffee farm and earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in crop protection from the University of Costa Rica. He’s the son of Marea Elisa Chinchilla and Gerardo Castro.