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Manuel Vargas, a young grower from Jardín, Colombia
Manuel grew up on a coffee farm and graduated with a degree from Universidad de Antioquia in Colombia. He’s the first in his family to grow tree fruit. He is now working for Joe Rasch Orchards, in Sparta, Michigan and is married to Katie (Rasch) Vargas and is the son of Ligia Marin and Gabriel Vargas.
Orlando Howe, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
Orlando is pursuing a graduate degree in horticulture at Washington State University. He is the son of Alison and Erik Howe; his biological mother is Maria Mendoza.
Travis and Jacob Pearson, young growers from Woodville, Nova Scotia
The brothers are third-generation farmers in the Annapolis Valley of Central Nova Scotia, Canada. They are the sons of Janette and Timothy Pearson and the grandsons of Janette’s father, Pieter van Oostrum.
Patrick and Haley Colbert, young growers from Tonasket, Washington
Spouses Haley and Patrick are both third-generation apple and pear growers who each graduated from Washington State University: Haley with a degree in accounting and Patrick with a degree in agricultural technology management. Haley’s parents are Belinda and Gary Grillo and Patrick’s are Rhonda and Raymond Colbert.
Moffitt to leave Pear Bureau Northwest
Later this year, Kevin Moffitt will begin leaving Pear Bureau Northwest after 35 years with the nonprofit marketing organization.
Kyler Riggleman, a young grower from White Salmon, Washington
Kyler, a fourth-generation farmer in the White Salmon Valley, graduated from Washington State University with a fruit and vegetable management degree. He’s married to Payton and is the son of Dena and John Riggleman.
IFTA honors leaders amid research updates
On the final day of the International Fruit Tree Association’s annual meeting in Yakima, Washington, Feb. 14, the group took a break from orchard innovation and technology talks to honor members for their significant contributions to the industry...
Jon Puglisi, a young grower from Horsham, Pennsylvania
Jon grew up in a suburb outside of Philadelphia and is pursuing his doctorate in plant pathology at WSU. He’s the son of Christine and Gregory Puglisi.
WineVit opens with a discussion on diversity in the wine industry
Who are the wine drinkers of the future? Who are the future workers — at every level — to drive success? Almost certainly, it’s going to be a more diverse community than in the industry’s past...
USApple announces 2024 NextGen Apple Fellowship Class
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release the newest members of its leadership development program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship...
Luis Gaitan, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/Luis is a second-generation farmer who is studying horticulture at Wenatchee Valley College while working at Washington Fruit and Produce. He is the son of Angelica Barajas Birrueta and Manuel Gaitan.
Andrew Stirling, a young grower from Centreville, Nova Scotia
Andrew is a fourth-generation farmer who manages the family farm with his brother, Timothy, and uncle, Stephen. He is married to Hope and is the son of Mark Stirling.
Noah Roth, a young grower from Lowell, Michigan
Noah is a fifth-generation farmer who graduated with a horticulture degree from Michigan State University. He’s married to Zoe Roth and is the son of Barb and Aaron Roth.
Washington Winegrowers welcomes new executive director, Colleen Frei
In the new year, the Washington Winegrowers Association will welcome a new executive director...
EXPO Day 2: Distinguished service awards
Michigan hort society honors Greg Lang and Bill Erwin.
Hort Show Day 2: Industry awards
Washington fruit industry lauds leaders at annual banquet.
Answering the opportunity: 2023 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Forty years after the founding of Douglas Fruit, the family is recognized for its commitment to quality, customers and the tree fruit industry.
Eduardo (Lalo) Garcia, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
Eduardo is second-generation in agriculture and is working on a degree in agricultural science from Columbia Basin College. He’s the son of Alma and Jose Garcia.
Social media marketer shares video-making tips for farmers — Video
Kaitlyn Thornton coaches Good Fruit Grower's Ross Courtney and says it's as simple as telling stories.
Washington State Grape Society gathers in Grandview for annual meeting
The Washington State Grape Society gathered on Nov. 16 in Grandview, Washington, to honor industry leaders, discuss economic trends, learn about ongoing research and eat fantastic Mexican food...
Oregon State University names Pearson new extension director
Following a national search, Oregon State University has named Brian Pearson as the next permanent director of the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hood River...
California Fresh Fruit Association names Hartwig president
Daniel Hartwig has been named the new president of the California Fresh Fruit Association, according to a news release from the organization...
Monique Ortiz, a young grower from San Antonio, Texas
family background/ Monique earned a degree in integrated plant science with a focus in viticulture and enology from Washington State University. She is the daughter of Sandra and Michael Gonzales.
New scientists take industry-serving roles in Washington’s Yakima Valley
Virna Stillwaugh joins Northwest Horticultural Council and Claire Murphy joins Washington State University...
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 earned a bachelor’s degree in integrated plant sciences from Washington State University. He is the son of Renae and Darin Donaldson.
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.