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Northern exposure
See why Vineland apricots bred in Ontario are getting attention.
Meet WSU’s new breeder — Video
Per McCord assumes duties with Washington State University’s stone fruit program.
Bruno Simpson, a young grower from Nelson, New Zealand
family background / Bruno is the third generation of Waimea Nurseries and has been elected
Yvette Jones, a young grower from Nelson, New Zealand
family background / Yvette grew up traveling around the globe with parents David and Fiona
Peach rootstock trial tests options for size control
Researchers start with the roots to shrink trees.
Finding success the cooperative way
The fewer grower cooperatives packing fruit in the industry today still play crucial role.
Want to get in on organics?
Transitioning tree fruit to organic production was the focus of a Washington State University NextGen
Conner Sullivan, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
family background / Conner along with his cousin Clint Sullivan started their business after growing
Verification program lets growers show off their stewardship
A good sign for growers
Register for the 75th annual Cherry Institute
The 75th annual Cherry Institute is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 12 at the Yakima Convention Center in central Washington. Also, nominations are wanted for marketing committees
How to give away fruit
Donations are appreciated at food banks, but some homework and forethought are advised first.
Strong market for Michigan sweet cherries: GLExpo Day 2 wrap
There was good news and bad news for cherry growers at the second day of
Cherry and apricot marketing boards to make nominations
Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee and Washington Apricot Marketing Committee will take place during industry meetings in January. The committees establish grade, size and pack regulations for fresh cherries and apricots from designated counties in Washington state.
Stemilt will use virtual reality for tours at PMA show
Those attending the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit will get a glimpse of Stemilt Growers without having to leave the conference.
New version of UC Produce Facts app released
The Postharvest Center at the University of California, Davis has released a new version of
The ag advocates
Hort Council presses on amid leadership change.
WSU Transitioning to Organic tour set for Aug. 2, 3
Washington State University and the Next Generation Tree Fruit Network will hold a pair of
IFTA Summer Tour wraps up with focus on research, frost
The Michigan tree fruit industry is chock full of innovative growers rapidly diversifying, modernizing and
Cowgill: Improving rootstocks for peaches
By Win Cowgill: After NC-140 research project’s success, new studies hope to do the same with peaches.
Lake Ontario Tour shows wide range of New York tree fruit farming
The only consistency on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program tour this summer was the humidity. Otherwise, the five-farm tour organized by Cornell University Cooperative Extension covered a remarkably diverse swath of tree fruit farming in a narrow band along Lake Ontario’s shores: new high density apple plantings and apple orchards far older than this reporter, along with high density peaches, berries, and a brand new cidery.
Scholarships offered for United Fresh Washington Conference
The application period for the 2017 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship is now open.
OSU researchers develop field test for crown gall
A woman can find out if she’s pregnant without going to a doctor. Soon, farmers may be able to find out if their fruit trees or grape vines have crown gall disease without going to a laboratory.
Lessons learned from Michigan’s plum pox plight
Michigan research station recovers 10 years after infection requires removal of entire orchards.
Southeastern peach growers eye solutions after freeze
After warm winter, southeastern peach growers lost most of their crop to a spring freeze — now finding ways to adapt has become critical.
Colorado’s canker crisis costing millions
Growers and researchers are working together to figure out how to protect peach trees.
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.
Vanguard International buys Pride Packing
The Vanguard International Group of Issaquah, Washington, has purchased Pride Packing Co. of Wapato, Washington, to further its goal of developing a vertically integrated fresh-fruit organization.
Seattle Times: Tree Top uses surplus peaches to feed hungry
From The Seattle Times:
There’s the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Tree Top,
Scholarships available for IFTA trip to New Zealand
IFTA has reserved a limited number of spots on its 2018 New Zealand Study Tour and Annual Conference for recipients of Young Professional Scholarships.
Food safety answers: What’s in your water? — Videos
Questions abound about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. To keep you abreast of
Native flora can attract beneficial insects to the vineyards and orchards
Between rows, think local
Do you have enough active carbon in your soil?
WSU extension specialist offers tips on how to track the health of your orchard.
Fertilizer tips to maximize baby tree growth
Nourishing new orchards
The latest on FF Robotics’ machine harvester
IFTA’s summer field tour in New York last year focused on automation technologies and growers
Brett Grobe, a Young Grower from Elyria, Ohio
family background / Brett is a sixth-generation fruit and vegetable grower in northern Ohio near
Don’t invest in unwanted shoot growth
With spring approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, a new season for orchardists starts with flowers, new leaves and shoots — and much anxiety.
Fighting honeybee decline with instrumental insemination — Video
WSU researchers hope to breed better bees
A new, old bee
From high in the Tien Shan Mountains of Central Asia, Washington State University entomologists Steve Sheppard and Brandon Hopkins have brought home semen from a new strain of honeybees that evolved right alongside the wild apple tree.
Mulch madness at Oregon soil workshop
At a soil health workshop organized by Oregon State University in the Dalles, Oregon, several
Wasps released to eat stink bug eggs
Brown marmorated stink bugs show no signs of stopping their advance in the Pacific Northwest.
FSMA answers: Preparing your facility
Questions abound about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. To keep you abreast of
Tissue culture company begins selling plants directly to growers – Video
Culture change: Oregon company looks to reduce wait time for key rootstocks
ITFA Day 3: “From Bud to Bin”
The second day of tours for the International Fruit Tree Association’s 60th annual conference in Washington
Is it really clean? Aggressive cleaning makes big difference
Study shows areas with floor, wall damage are key harborage sites for Listeria.
Empire State Producers Expo: Thursday wrapup
When placing the end post of your orchard trellis system, think of a game of
Washington grower and packer Gary W. Hansen dies at 73
Gary W. Hansen, the former president of Hansen Fruit and Cold Storage of Yakima, Washington,
Empire State Producers Expo: Wednesday wrapup
A sparsely attended but lively discussion about H-2A guest workers highlighted Wednesday’s proceedings at the
Where do you match consumer expectations?
Economists quantify importance of fruit qualities based on differing perspectives of producers, packers and consumers.
Empire State Producers Expo: Tuesday wrapup
No more theory. No more hypothetical examples.
Four apple growers, as well as a few vegetable