Fruit Grower Report

We recently discussed how the non-farming public views what a farmer looks like in their mind and how it’s not just older, white, male farmers out there. But, Washington Policy Center’s Ag Director, Pam Lewison says the farming community is much more than that.

Rather than just complaining about drought conditions and potential water shortages for farmers, the state Department of Ecology has launched ‘Washington’s Water Future’, a plan to solicit ideas for policies that could stretch water supplies.

It’s not secret that the U.S. did not agree to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a decision met with disappointment among many in agricultural. But what does that mean?

Some big changes or updates have been made and will be made at Good Fruit Grower Magazine, celebrating their 80th year in publication, by keeping up with the times.

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

Whether it’s the cost of farming, the overtime laws, the CCA fuel tax, or the unionization of agricultural workers, growing food in Washington state is not easy.

The international Fresh Produce Association is a trade group with the mission of helping businesses at every step along our food supply chain.

Pears are delicious and can be a healthy part of a diet, but getting consumers on board can be a challenge.

As harvest wraps up, attention quickly turns to what comes next. In the PNW, POST-harvest management plays a critical role in setting up next year’s cherry crop.

Despite the claims by some that H-2A foreign guestworkers are taking jobs from American workers, the numbers don’t back them up.

Two of the three USMCA nations, Mexico and Canada, have said they'd like it to see it continue, but President Trump isn't so sure.

When you think of a farmer, what vision comes to mind? Male? Older? Rough looking? But farming today is much more diverse than it used to be.

I asked Save Family Farming’s Dillon Honcoop if state lawmakers were aware of what their policy decisions were doing to the ag industry in this state?

With labor constraints and tight harvest windows, first-pick success is more important now than ever. Cultiva’s North American Sales Manager, Thiago Moraes says color is a key focus for growers right now.

As legislators continue to pour more harmful laws and regulations on to the backs of farmers in Washington state, it begs the question, do they just not understand agriculture?

When contacting your legislators to discuss your concerns about the challenges facing farmers today, it’s important to keep a level head.

It’s become very popular over the past five or so years, and the Cosmic Crisp apple came to us with no artificial assistance.

I asked Thiago Moraes, North America Sales Manager for Cultiva, what’s happening in blueberries during this stage that makes them vulnerable to environmental stress?

Water levels are better than expected following a winter with about half the normal snowpack in the mountains.

While a federal district court recently upheld the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A ag workers, farmers and ag groups are concerned that the current rates could be reversed or drastically amended by a future administration.

2026 is a year with continuing hopes that specialty crops will see some kind of ag labor reforms and be included in future ag assistance programs.

Rather than just complaining about drought conditions and potential water shortages for farmers, the state Department of Ecology has launched ‘Washington’s Water Future’, a plan to solicit policy ideas that could stretch water supplies.

The USDA announced it has finalized the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program that was announced late last year.

Samantha Ayoub, an agricultural economist for the International Fresh Produce Association, says fruit and vegetable producers have a significant need for year-round labor.

In the six years since the Cosmic Crisp apple hit the market, its popularity is soaring, and nobody realized how big it would become.