Fruit Grower Report

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.

Rising temperatures and more frequent heat events are putting pressure on apple production across the Pacific Northwest. With more frequent heat events in the PNW, protecting fruit quality starts early.

With Northwest cherry harvest about to begin, growers are hoping to see better pricing this year.

Whether it’s Washington’s new millionaire’s tax, homelessness, trans girls in sports, or the war in Iran, there are a lot of matters in the news that seem to overshadow the farming crisis here in Washington.

A federal judge denied a United Farm Workers’ request to temporarily block the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A workers.

Nothing to lose, everything to gain! That’s the message to specialty crop farmers from the Walla Walla-based agtech company innov8.ag .

Cherry growers across the Pacific Northwest are once again watching the weather closely as they head into this critical stretch of the season.

A recent poll found many farmers have been trying to send distress signals to Washington D.C. in hopes of getting some help, but little is getting done.

Another drought year has been declared in Washington state, meaning farmers need to be prepared for the potential of less water availability.

The Washington State Fruit Commission has named Eric Patrick as its new president to oversee marketing for Northwest cherries and canned pears.

With spring upon us and summer fast approaching, you might want to think about dusting off those golf clubs, if you haven’t already, and start thinking about the upcoming tournament put on by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

With Northwest Cherry harvest within days of starting, things are looking sweet on the trees!

Ag-employers have been calling for changes to the H-2A foreign guestworker visa program for years, with few results.

It may go without saying, but technology is the now AND the future of agriculture with new equipment coming at an incredible rate.

With all of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, it’s never been more important that our legislators understand what is actually happening out there.

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

Family farming has always been a challenging job through the generations but in recent years here in Washington state, the challenges have escalated.

Many in agriculture were pleased to hear the new Farm Bill passed in the House and is now moving on the Senate.

In the six years since the Cosmic Crisp apple hit the market, its popularity is soaring.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association came into 2026 with a list of legislative priorities to tackle and look ahead with plenty of following up to do.

Ag groups appear pleased with the news that the House of Representatives passed a new Farm Bill.

The Cosmic Crisp apple, originally developed at Washington State University, will continue to be exclusively grown in Washington state for another six years.

Save Family Farming’s Dillon Honcoop says the state of Washington has created an environment for agriculture that is ALWAYS challenging!

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.

When it comes to ag labor, there are plenty of challenges farmers have to deal with, including wages.

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

With all the talk about drought again this year, and a lack of snowpack in the mountains, why is nobody really talking about the fact that the reservoirs are currently filled to capacity?

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 those coming here to fill the dire need for an agricultural workforce.

Reports of the Northwest possibly entering a “Super El Nino” year has many farmers wondering how challenging the year ahead may be.

While the Farm Bill 2.0 is front and center for House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson of Pennsylvania, ag labor reform remains high on his list of priorities.