Writer / Editor / Photographer
Northwest fruit growers have had trouble for years finding enough workers to help them during harvest season. Across the industry, labor availability has become such a concern that many farmers are desperately searching for technological innovations that can help offset the steady decline in manpower. The situation has continued to worsen this year due to... Continue Reading →
She may be only a few years out of college, but Kady Porterfield is already commanding attention from the Northwest agricultural community. Just five years into her career in Central Washington, Porterfield has ascended to a number of key leadership positions, expanding on what she learned growing up on a ranch in Macdoel, Calif. Now,... Continue Reading →
Austin Allred enjoys being a dairyman in every way, but for him, the cows are the highlight. “Ever since high school, the biggest draw for me has been the animals,” said the owner of two Central Washington dairies, who started out raising heifers on the family farm in Royal City, Wash., in the 1990s. “I... Continue Reading →
When most people hear the word “hemp,” they typically think of CBD oil, textiles and heavy-duty clothing. CraftAg LLC is looking to add recreational smoking to the list of potential uses for marijuana’s cousin. The recently formed partnership between CraftAg Enterprises and Seneca Foods Corp. is set to release its first retail product this spring... Continue Reading →
Mark and Cheryl Barrett each come from a long line of orchard families, but that doesn’t mean they wanted to do things the way they’ve always been done. Looking to chart their own course, the Yakima, Wash., couple combined everything they had learned from the previous three generations of farmers and started their own business,... Continue Reading →
When you operate a fruit company in the apple capital of the world, you’re always trying to find an edge. That’s why Yakima Valley grower-shippers like Apple King are constantly searching for ways to stand out in an increasingly competitive industry. The family-owned, vertically integrated company in Yakima, Wash. — which traces its roots back... Continue Reading →
With so many fruit and vegetable farms in Central Washington, it might seem difficult for any one business to stand out. But when you consider that the Yakima Valley is “feeding the world” — as many local farmers proudly declare — there is ample opportunity for farms of all sizes to establish a foothold. Benedicto... Continue Reading →
Ten years ago, Windy N Ranch was more of a concept than a concrete business plan. But through hard work and dedication, the Newhall family of Ellensburg has turned their 800-acre plot into a lucrative — and highly rewarding — venture. The diversified, certified organic meat ranch off U.S. Highway 97 started out as an... Continue Reading →
If you haven’t stopped by the Double R Honey Farms shop in a while, now would be a good time to get reacquainted. The beekeeping supply store and honey retailer in Union Gap was remodeled earlier this year — and it’s creating kind of a buzz around town. “We wanted to make it a place... Continue Reading →
The Rollinger family has been farming in Sunnyside, Wash., for more than a century, so they don’t run into many surprises anymore. The work isn’t easy and new challenges arise all the time. But while Rollinger Family Farms has experienced its share of ups and downs over the past 101 years, the family has managed... Continue Reading →
