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International experts head to Washington for tree fruit conferences this year
This spring and summer, horticultural scientists from around the world will be traveling to Washington for conferences centered on postharvest physiology, cherries and fire blight...
Seasonal cherry inspectors needed in Central Washington
The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Fruit and Vegetable Program is currently hiring seasonal cherry inspectors for the 2025 season...
More evidence for less fertilizer
Washington State University extension specialist suggests dialing back fertilizer in orchards.
Get wise about your water
Preharvest water risk assessment regulations take effect for large farms this month and for smaller farms next April.
Mark Renken, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
Mark is a sixth-generation farmer from The Dalles. He is married to Audrey Hinatsu and is the son of Kim and Greg Johnson.
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers director fired, admits theft
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers has fired longtime executive director Mike Doke for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars over multiple years...
California farmer tells cautionary tale for Washington ag — Video
Cherry Institute speaker warns Washington to not follow California on policies.
Fighting fruit pests from the air
Spray drones show promise controlling pests in grapes and tree fruit.
In a spot with cherry leaf spot
Growers return to copper fungicides for cherry leaf spot control.
Speakers share strategies for efficient little cherry disease management
Now many years into the battle against X disease and little cherry disease, growers find themselves skipping the testing phase, going straight from cherry symptoms at harvest to chain saws as soon as possible...
Understanding adaptability in different climates
South African trial investigates cultivar performance under varied climate conditions.
The chill factor for cherries in warmer climates
There is more to the cherry equation than chill needs.
Spot marks the X for little cherry disease infections — Video
Canine pathogen detection shows promise, but commercialization could be a challenge.
More red ahead for cherry promotions
Northwest cherry promoters to reuse imagery and strategy from successful 2024 season.
Details on a new dieback pathogen in the Pacific Northwest
Cherry orchard survey alerts researchers to new pathogen, renews focus on fungi fight.
Gary Grove crowned 2025 Cherry King
—story by Kate Prengaman—photo by TJ Mullinax Mike Taylor, left, the 2024 Cherry King, crowns
UPDATED: Mass layoffs of federal workers will include scientists working for the fruit industry
On Thursday, Feb. 13, the Trump administration began serious cutbacks to the federal workforce, laying off recently hired employees across numerous agencies...
Penticton hort show focuses on climate challenges, risk management and handling neighbor conflict
British Columbia orchardists and vineyardists gathered this week at the Southern Interior Horticultural Show in Penticton to discuss strategies for managing climate challenges, pests and diseases and neighbor complaints...
Picking a winning cherry system
Oregon cherry grower favors steep leader but encourages execution over system.
Tart cherry groups name Cohn as new president
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board and Cherry Marketing Institute have named Amy Cohn as their new president...
Fruit production in sunny South Africa
Solar panels and orchards soak up the South African sunshine, which powers the region’s $1 billion export-focused tree fruit industry.
A tale of two seasons for spotted wing drosophila
Researchers dial in on SWD management in Michigan.
Tough calls to be made for profitable cherry production
Cherry pruning, systems and harvest come down to stark economic factors.
Closure of Sage Fruit sales desk triggers shake-up of Washington fruit volumes for 2025
The new year kicked off with some new alignments in the Washington tree fruit industry, following the closure of the Sage Fruit sales desk at the end of 2024...
US fruit exporters target Mexico
America’s southern neighbor makes an attractive fruit export market.
Isaac Balderas, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
family background/ Isaac is second-generation in the fruit industry. He is one of three sons of Silvia Muñiz and Carlos Balderas.
Marketing, technology, disease and a new Cherry King mark Cherry Institute 2025
Administrators of Northwest Cherries told growers Jan. 10 at the 82nd annual Cherry Institute in Yakima, Washington, that the 2024 season was successful in shipping and promotions, a welcome bright spot after several tough years...
Cherry identification down to the DNA details
Genetic experts say preliminary DNA screening can prevent intellectual property disputes.
Good Point: Clean Plant 101
The key reasons why you need to use certified plants.
Fresh transitions for Michigan cherry growers
Michigan growers tightening sweet cherry plantings.
Working out the bugs with sterile spotted wing drosophila
Gene-edited spotted wing drosophila research reaches field-trial stage.
Armillaria armor in the orchard
The search for an Armillaria-resistant rootstock for cherries continues.
Longtime growers share a moment of reckoning on the road to resilience
To go from survival mode to being prepared to prosper on the other side of the present downturn, industry leaders recommend removing the blocks that are bleeding out.
New economic assistance fund created for specialty crop producers
On Dec. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened a new $2 billion economic assistance program for specialty crop producers..
Michigan hort society honors Dave Smeltzer and Vance Baird
The EXPO Social, the 2024 version of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market
EXPO update on SWD parasitoid releases
—by Matt Milkovich The invasive spotted wing drosophila can devastate cherries and blueberries in Michigan,
A cherry tour, technology topics and pears round out Day 2 of the Washington hort show
—by Ross Courtney and Shannon Dininny Dave Allan of Allan Bros. points out places he
DeVaney: Growers are not OK
Sometimes, it’s necessary to admit that.
Hort Show preview: Uninformed foodie fight
WSTFA keynote speaker to discuss how to push back against critics who don’t understand farming.
Seeing the big picture: 2024 Good Fruit Grower of the Year
Tom Gausman shares lessons on developing large orchards.
North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days Jan. 21–23 and Feb. 6
Washington State University Tree Fruit Extension announced in a news release its annual Tree Fruit Day programs in North Central Washington...
Good Point: Navigating a season of adversity
Northwest fruit industry gathers next month to learn from a challenging 2023–24 crop and chart better paths forward.
Grand Rapids gathering
2024 Great Lakes EXPO packed with fruit sessions.
Judge rules Glory and Staccato cherries the same
A federal judge has decided a cherry sold as Glory is really Staccato under a different name...
Washington State University to launch campaign for new tree fruit research facility
Washington State University announced plans to launch a fundraising campaign this fall to create a state-of-the-art space for tree fruit research...
Research commission releases 2024 cherry MRL report
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission has published its 2024 report on pesticide residues for Northwest sweet cherry production...
Gerad and Corbin Moser, young growers from Oroville, Washington
Brothers Gerad and Corbin both graduated from Washington State University with degrees in agricultural food systems. Their parents are Diane and Greg Moser.
Engineering immunity in trees
New USDA research program brings cutting-edge, disease-fighting technology from citrus to cherry.
Cloud-powered packing
New tools help fruit packers manage increasing amounts of data.
Avocados and olives join apples, cherries and pears on IFTA tour
International Fruit Tree Association tour-goers saw plenty of the pears, apples and cherries they’re used to seeing as the group embarked on the first day of the summer tour through Central California, scheduled July 16–18...