Fruit Grower Report

Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says what looks to be a pretty productive harvest is quickly creeping up on us.

Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says what looks to be a pretty productive harvest is quickly creeping up on us.

With more federal assistance available for specialty crop growers of late, the importance of getting a new farm bill completed may have eased, but Riley Bushue, VP at Northwest Horticultural Council, says a new farm bill shouldn't be put off.

With more federal assistance available for specialty crop growers of late, the importance of getting a new farm bill completed may have eased, but Riley Bushue, VP at Northwest Horticultural Council, says a new farm bill shouldn't be put off.

Jeff DeWald, Managing Member of Agribusiness Succession Advisors, talks about the biggest mistakes he sees when it comes to succession planning.

Jeff DeWald, Managing Member of Agribusiness Succession Advisors, talks about the biggest mistakes he sees when it comes to succession planning.

Riley Bushue, Vice President at Northwest Horticultural Council, says there are a couple of assistance programs that tree fruit growers should be aware of, the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and the Supplemental Disaster Relief Programs.

Riley Bushue, Vice President at Northwest Horticultural Council, says there are a couple of assistance programs that tree fruit growers should be aware of, the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and the Supplemental Disaster Relief Programs.

There is no doubt that the tariff back and forth is causing challenges for agriculture and the overall U.S. economy. Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, says that imbalance has to be rectified.

There is no doubt that the tariff back and forth is causing challenges for agriculture and the overall U.S. economy. Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, says that imbalance has to be rectified.

Depending on who you talk to, labor reform is desperately needed in agriculture, with costs soaring, pricing out more and more farmers every day.

Depending on who you talk to, labor reform is desperately needed in agriculture, with costs soaring, pricing out more and more farmers every day.

Are farmers ready for the future? Are they going to be able to keep up technologically with changes in the way things are done. Global futurist and best-selling author, Jack Uldrich shares his thoughts.

Are farmers ready for the future? Are they going to be able to keep up technologically with changes in the way things are done. Global futurist and best-selling author, Jack Uldrich shares his thoughts.

Whether in Olympia or other urban parts of our state, there seems to be a big misunderstanding or ignorance of what the H-2A guestworker visa program is and how it works.

Whether in Olympia or other urban parts of our state, there seems to be a big misunderstanding or ignorance of what the H-2A guestworker visa program is and how it works.

Ben Tindall, Executive Director at Save Family Farming, says farm workers and farmers a worried their farm will be the next target of immigration raids, and something needs to be done to fix this problem.

Ben Tindall, Executive Director at Save Family Farming, says farm workers and farmers a worried their farm will be the next target of immigration raids, and something needs to be done to fix this problem.

We recently reported on the great, new Food and Agribusiness minor or certificate program at Central Washington University when we spoke with one of the professors.

The Ag industry is suffering from a bad case of whiplash after the big back and forth on immigration enforcement on farms.

The Ag industry is suffering from a bad case of whiplash after the big back and forth on immigration enforcement on farms.

Northwest cherry harvest is in full swing with the crop easily living up to preseason estimates of 21-22 million boxes early on.

Northwest cherry harvest is in full swing with the crop easily living up to preseason estimates of 21-22 million boxes early on.

August is right around the corner, so it's not too early to get registered for the 2025 Washington State Tree Fruit Association Golf Tournament.

This may seem unusual for the Fruit Grower Report, but today we're talking about peppers, specifically a new breed of Mild Habaneros created by breeders at Oregon State University.

This may seem unusual for the Fruit Grower Report, but today we're talking about peppers, specifically a new breed of Mild Habaneros created by breeders at Oregon State University.

Following President Trump's orders to scale back immigration raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants, many are watching closely to see what happens. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that's good news.

Following President Trump's orders to scale back immigration raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants, many are watching closely to see what happens. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that's good news.

Following President Trump's orders to scale back immigration raids on farms, hotels, restaurants and meatpacking plants, many are watching closely to see what happens. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that's good news.

Despite recent assurances from President Trump and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, Homeland Security has now reversed guidance and says it WILL conduct immigration raids on farms.

With Washington's Ag Industry facing so many economic and regulatory challenges, are there changes we could make to ease the pressure?

With Washington's Ag Industry facing so many economic and regulatory challenges, are there changes we could make to ease the pressure?

Oregon tree fruit grower Mike McCarthy recently spent time in Washington, D.C., sharing his experience and challenges with members of Congress.

Northwest cherry harvest is underway, and things are looking really good so far for growers and cherry lovers.

Northwest cherry harvest is underway, and things are looking really good so far for growers and cherry lovers.

Rural America is seeing a huge growth in data centers and infrastructure, including AI capabilities.

Rural America is seeing a huge growth in data centers and infrastructure, including AI capabilities.

As the number of farms and farmers across the state and the country shrinks, and locally produced food becomes harder and harder to find, action is needed to change direction.

As the number of farms and farmers across the state and the country shrinks, and locally produced food becomes harder and harder to find, action is needed to change direction.

Keep your eyes peeled and, in a week or so, you should start seeing some the campaign to promote our excellent Northwest Cherries that will be in the grocery stores very soon.

Keep your eyes peeled and, in a week or so, you should start seeing some the campaign to promote our excellent Northwest Cherries that will be in the grocery stores very soon.

Agricultural imports overtook ag exports a couple of years ago, creating a first of its kind trade imbalance.