Fruit Grower Report

With the midterm election behind us, we now have to wait and see how the millionaire’s tax could potentially impact everyone, including farmers.

The latest robotic apple picker could soon be available and, based on in-orchard testing, appears to be effective beyond just picking.

I caught up with Keith Veselka, CEO and and Co-founder of NWFM, Northwest Farm Management, at the recent FIRA USA AgTech conference where we agreed, things are changing fast.

If you were lucky enough to attend the recent FIRA USA Robotics and AgTechnology Conference in Yakima, you should know that it will be moving to Florida next year.

Advertising in newspapers, and on radio and TV is fine, but in this day and age there are other options that provide good opportunities to sell your products, like Washington Frozen Raspberries.

For now, it’s only grown in Washington state, but the Cosmic Crisp apple is becoming a favorite for consumers everywhere.

We told you recently about a new study from WSU showing that the ag overtime law in our state is not a benefit to anyone in agriculture. So now, lawmakers need to fix the problem.

The latest USDA numbers show Washington’s farmers jumped from last in earned income in 2024 to 30th in 2025.

It’s no secret that finding adequate, affordable ag labor is a huge challenge for farmers, especially in recent years.

A new study appears to support farm sector fears about Washington state’s ag overtime law and the damage it’s done.

Alexis Taylor, chief global policy officer for the International Fresh Produce Association, says specialty crop producers need more demand for their products and help stabilizing the industry against further challenges.

When Senate Bill 6045 failed to get a vote during the last legislative session in Olympia, many were relieved that giving collective bargaining rights to Washington farm workers was shelved for now.

About 30% of Washington's apple crop is exported each year, with Asian countries making up the most significant regional destination.

Farms and ranches that employ workers under the H2-A program now have their federally mandated minimum wage under the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

Advertising in newspapers, and on radio and TV is fine, but in this day and age there are other options that provide good opportunities to sell your products, like Washington Frozen Raspberries.

With apple harvest underway, it shouldn’t be too long before we get a taste of our favorite varieties.

It’s been a fantastic summer for many future college students from the tree fruit industry who are about to realize their dreams.

Washington state is widely known for the red raspberries they grow for the frozen market, most of them in the northwest corner of the state.

More research is needed on the relationship between agriculture and data centers.

If you’ve been wondering why it’s September, harvest has started and you haven’t heard any kind of estimate or forecast for the 2026 Washington apple crop, that’s because, according to Michael Schadler, president of the Washington Apple Commission, the industry has decided to wait.

The farm economy in Washington and around the country is in crisis, but that crisis is not getting the attention it deserves.

While it is true that an August apple forecast was not put out by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association this year, you may have seen one from the US Apple Association.

Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says most of what he's hearing from growers, as apple harvest gets underway, is promising.

Washington State Tree Fruit Association President, Jon DeVaney says challenges for the ag industry may be getting a bit more attention in Olympia.

There are some doubts out there among lawmakers about the likelihood of getting a new Farm Bill done this year, but there’ also still some hope out there.