Fruit Grower Report

From labor reform to the rising cost of growing our food, politics isn't helping to fix the crisis agriculture is facing.

When it comes to getting a new Farm Bill completed, Ryan Yates, American Farm Bureau Managing Director of Government Affairs, says ag has waited long enough.

When it comes down to the biggest ag labor challenges facing farmers today, top of the list is probably reforming the prevailing wage system within the H-2A program.

When Senate Bill 6045 failed to get a deadline vote last week, many were relieved that giving collective bargaining rights to Washington farm workers was shelved for now.

Specialty crop growers are paying close attention as the USDA announced up to $1 billion, and possibly more, in bridge assistance payments available for Specialty Crop growers.

A Senate Bill in Olympia that would have given Washington farmworkers the right to collective bargaining has died, for this year anyway.

The debate over immigration reform and ag labor has some big holes on both sides of the argument.

Up to $1 billion was set aside in December for specialty crop growers to receive financial help through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.

As you probably know, there have been changes to how the Adverse Effect Wage Rate is calculated and many in the ag workforce say that's a good thing. But is there more?

David DuCharme, lobbyist for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, says the situation agriculture finds itself in today is undeniable.

With the 2025 pear harvest in the rear view now, Pacific Northwest growers can be found a bit relieved with a 78% increase over the 2024 crop.

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

Updating the methodology for calculating wages for foreign guest-workers should be a significant improvement for both farm employers and employees.

WAC President, Michael Schadler says a major focus for them this year will be the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that is scheduled for an update in the coming months.

Open border or ICE raids? We've tried them both and neither seems to be a practical solution for controlling who comes into our country legally, including our agricultural workforce.

Washington State Tree Fruit Association members and staff gathered in Olympia recently to try and help close the ag knowledge gap between lawmakers and growers. WSTFA lobbyist, David Ducharme ...

Promoting the availability and benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables is the focus of many in the ag industry, including the International Fresh Produce Association.

So many of the problems facing farmers today comes from a lack of understanding among the public about where their food comes from and what it takes to produce it, but they need to know.

Many would argue that Washington's agricultural industry is overwhelmed with regulations at an extreme cost. But WSTFA president Jon DeVaney says it's not just the financial cost of these regulations but the complexity costs.

Pear Bureau Northwest President, CarrieAnn Arias says nutrition is definitely a big part of their new campaign, but the other piece is about how pears look and normalizing the appearance of a pear.

Recent reforms approved for the methodology in calculating the Adverse Effect Wage Rate should be helpful for farm employers trying to manage their budgets in the coming years.

Whether it's tariffs and bumpy negotiations with other countries, the cost of transportation, or any other problem, trade is filled with challenges for agriculture.

The need for labor reform is not the only challenge farmers are facing today, but it is one of the biggest.

Washington Post Columnist, Megan McCardle wonders what ever happened to trying to understand what the problems are and coming up with a compromise.

From a new logo to new messaging, Pears grown here in the Northwest and around the country are getting a new, fun, fresh and modern look for consumers to enjoy.

Washington Apple Commission president, Michael Schadler says one export market they're feeling pretty good about, following some down years thanks to some hefty tariffs, is India.

Following two years of above-average production, U.S. apples are expecting another pretty good year, with Washington doing it's share of the lifting.

Washington lawmakers are considering a new program aimed at at identifying, registering, and preserving rare and historic apple varieties still growing on small farms across the state.

After a reduction of the apple forecast, Michael Schadler, president of the Washington Apple Commission, says there's one thing he'd like to say about this NEW crop.

Washington Post columnist, Megan McCardle was the keynote speaker at last month's Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting and immigration was a key talking point.

We sometimes wonder if Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is listening to anyone but his Democratic colleagues. But Moses Lake Republican Tom Dent says he's been able to connect with the governor on a number of issues.

Tree Fruit Day in Olympia on Wednesday, January 28th is fast approaching and if you haven't signed up yet, now is the time.

Washington apples are the state's most well-known crop, but that doesn't give them immunity from today's challenges in agriculture.

The USDA's Section 32 purchase of Northwest Pears after the sudden closure of the Del Monte cannery last summer will certainly help growers scrambling for alternative markets.

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

Recognized as the Washington State Tree Fruit Association's 2025 Legislator o the Year, 13th District Representative, Tom Dent tries to bring awareness about the mental health challenges and suicides that plague the agricultural industry.

Alan Schreiber, Executive Director of the Washington Blueberry Commission, says when you break that down to fresh and processed, conventional and organic, we could still use more.

Pushing for policies that recognize the unique challenges of farming in Washington state is nothing new, but there have recently been talks about the possibility of a State Farm Bill to help address the unique challenges farmers in our state face.

Most farmers want to farm, not cultivate the internet. But one tech advisor says in 2026 a web presence is a necessity.

In 2025, 300-plus college students received over $1 million in scholarships this year from the Washington Apple Education Foundation, something Executive Director, Jennifer Witherbee says they've been doing now for a long time.

The cry for H-2A reform can be heard all around agriculture, and while some challenges are being addressed, WAFLA CEO, Enrique Gastelum says one of the biggest challenges is the housing required for farm workers.

Lately, it appears Congress has been recognizing the many challenges farmers and ranchers are facing these days, and U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that isn't happening by chance.