Recently published articles featured on Good Fruit Grower.
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Worker worries prompted walkouts
Additional safeguards and hazard pay were among the demands of workers that went on strike at seven Yakima-area packers in May. All walkouts were resolved by early June.
Backup plans underway for industry events
Groups brace for contingencies, even for events months in the future.
Kyle Rasch, a young grower from Conklin, Michigan
Kyle is a fifth-generation famer in the West-central Michigan region. He was part of USApple’s Young Apple Leaders program, obtained a business degree from Grand Rapids Community College and is the son of Sue and Chuck Rasch.
Hold on to your Anjous
On the controversial topic of self-regulation, the Northwest pear industry approved stricter quality standards for early season Anjou shipments, but do they go far enough?
Fruit industry questions eligibility for USDA direct payment program
Few tree fruit growers able to access benefits as program began.
Washington shippers making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts so distributors can supply nonprofits, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Ludacrisp gaining speed
Growers planting Midwest Apple Improvement Association’s second-most popular variety in greater numbers.
Red flesh for red ciders
Michigan State University program focused on varieties for juice.
Hot start continues for Cosmic Crisp
In Washington State University study, second-leaf Cosmic Crisp packouts surpass third-leaf results.
How to do your do-over
Why replanting vineyards is more than just planting again.
Grape growers ready to root
Washington’s leading grapevine nursery shares what growers need to know if they want to plant grafted vines.
Birds flee when drones fly
WSU researchers test unmanned aerial systems as bird deterrents.
Farming amid the coronavirus
Growers find ways large and small to farm safely during the pandemic.
Coronavirus causing distancing disruptions
With regulations in flux on rules for housing temporary workers, many questions remain as the busy harvest time approaches.
Use extra caution when handling leave requests
With many new regulations, employment lawyer telling growers to "walk through it carefully."
Chad Kruger to oversee WSU’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
Chad Kruger Chad Kruger has been named the next director of Washington State University’s Tree
An orchard with a head start
A new ultrahigh-density approach in Washington starts with nursery trees planted at full height.
Bye to big branches
The grow-through-tree approach appeals to New York growers with home nurseries and those who want to buy custom trees.
Maureen O’Callaghan, a young grower from Ephrata, Washington
Maureen graduated from Walla Walla Community College’s viticulture and enology program and joined Shaw Vineyards as a viticulturist in 2018. She is the daughter of Carol and John O’Callaghan.
Prengaman: 2020 revision
We're going on, just like you.
Brandt: Global brands offer value
The enduring success of Pink Lady shows why critical mass matters for fruit branding.
Bees take an indoor break
Washington State University continues research into indoor bee storage with trials in shipping containers.
Combining efforts to boost return on mechanization
Vineyard managers use mechanical tools in tandem to stretch labor savings.
Softer landing for fresh blueberries
Fresh-market-focused blueberry harvesters could reduce labor costs and bruising.
Make your crop load count
Results from Michigan trial show promise for bud load pruning.
Sweet cherry consolidation
Michigan growers adjust to changing markets.
Chinese cherries a growing industry
Key export market for Northwest U.S. producers rapidly ramps up its domestic production of revered fruit.
Tart cherry industry renews marketing order
In close vote, growers and handlers extend the marketing order six more years.
2020 USApple Outlook will be held virtually
The U.S. Apple Association will shift its Outlook 2020 Conference to a virtual event, still
Taking on the challenge of cherries
Veteran growers offer words of encouragement, advice.
Developing digital demand
Marketers scramble to create online impulse shopping for cherries post-coronavirus.
Time for more grapevine testing
Washington State University virologist encourages grape growers to test more often.
Vector investigations
New research aims to deepen understanding of little cherry disease.
New fruit fly foe found
Officials don’t want European cherry fruit fly to spread beyond Western New York, but a small cherry industry there wants quarantine regulations that don’t put them out of business.
Sap beetles hitting Michigan cherries
Intermittent pest could become more permanent in Michigan if link to spotted wing drosophila losses proven.
Alicia Abendroth, a young grower from Wolcott, New York
Alicia grew up in Lower Saxony, Germany, and attended Geisenheim University before transferring to Cornell University to pursue her undergraduate degree in plant sciences.
Thurlby: A cherry market that no one has ever seen
Pandemic pressures push cherry promotions to quickly adapt to online shopping and digital marketing, but Northwest Cherry Growers is up to the challenge.
DuPont and Harper: Better disease detection
Scouting and sampling for X phytoplasma and little cherry virus in 2020.
Vineyard mechanization putting people first
Even wineries that prefer hand-picked grapes can use mechanization as a tool to improve vineyard management.
Phone apps automate labor management
More employees using phones to tap in and out as growers turn to phone apps to automate human resources and payroll.
Bud removal can control the flower power
Artificial spur extinction removes buds early, eases angst of thinning.
Pandemic puts labor in limbo
Canadian growers have relied on international farmworkers for decades, but the pandemic put the program in jeopardy.
Farmers prepare for housing during pandemic
Farm employer advice regarding the coronavirus rolls out as growers prepare for seasonal labor housing.
Farm market sales go on with social distancing
Farm markets adapt to pandemic measures.
Colossal Cabernet trial under the California sun
“Mother of all Cabernet trials” takes on changing climate.
Soil pits get the view from below — Video
Washington State University Extension specialist advises digging soil pits to assess irrigation and nutrition.
Fazio: Let’s make this work
When MSNBC and farmers agree, folks should listen in D.C.
Joel Carter, a young grower from Summerland, British Columbia
Joel went to University of British Columbia, focusing on economics, and returned to the family farm, eventually buying his own land. He’s the son of Louisa and Neal Carter.
Tynan: Lessons learned from year one of FSMA farm inspections
First on-farm inspections under the Food Safety Modernization Act began in spring 2019.