Fruit Grower Report

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.

During the past ten years, U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables have climbed significantly.

Wildfires are filling our news with stories and our air with smoke this summer, while farmers across the state are worried about their harvests.

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

Technology is changing the way we live at a rapid pace, and that includes how we produce our food.

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.

U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says with the labor shortages and high expenses, there is a lot of misinterpretations of the ag labor force in general.

H-2A reform is just one of many labor challenges farmers are facing today that need to be fixed.

House Ag Chair GT Thompson's “Securing Agricultural Workforce Act” offers a cap on year-to-year increases in the wage rate.

Ag technology companies from around the world will be in Yakima in October for FIRA USA, a conference and trade show where growers can connect with tech companies.

Attention specialty crop farmers: if your 2025 crops were impacted by input costs or natural disasters, TODAY is the deadline to finish your application for the USDA's Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program.

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

The Senate Ag Committee's farm bill markup is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday.

If you're familiar with, or have attended the Cherry Institute in the past, there are some changes coming you might want to hear.

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

USDA is reminding agricultural producers affected by rising production costs that the deadline to apply for key financial assistance programs is fast approaching.

If you're a fan of the Cougars, Northwest Cherries, or pears grown in Washington and Oregon, July has been a special month with the WSU Homegrown Tour.

U.S. Representative, Dan Newhouse says current legislation being considered, the ‘Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act' could do so much to help improve the H-2A system.

A lot of attention in the tree fruit industry recently has been paid to the bankruptcy filing by Gebber's Farms last month.

There has been a big change to estimating what the Washington apple crop will look like from year to year.

U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that the enough ag employers have been sounding the alarm, and more lawmakers may now have received the message.

Northwest cherry harvest got off to one of its earliest starts this year, but it has been a decent year for cherry production volume wise, with outstanding quality.

When it comes to agriculture's impact on Washington's economy, food production doesn't get nearly the recognition it deserves.

If you've been putting it off, now is the time to register for next month's annual Washington State Tree Fruit Association Golf Tournament.

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?

If you grow tree fruit in these difficult times, or any other specialty crop for that matter, a deadline for assistance is fast approaching.