by Courtney Llewellyn
Whether a farmer or not, aches and pains creep up on us all. Very often, those maladies manifest as knee pain – and trying to work while one (or two) of your most important joints isn’t working correctly can cause serious problems. (more…)
Thayne Tagge and his daughter Mindi in front of some of their many peach plantings.
Photos courtesy of Tagge’s Fruit and Veggies
by Enrico Villamaino
A prosperous businessman claiming that it all started with a little lemonade stand is something of a dubious cliché. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Nearly everyone who employs workers in an agricultural enterprise is prepared for changes to overtime rules in 2020. Attorney Christopher Schulte, who has extensive experience in agricultural employment and immigration law, explained the generalities of the new law (more…)
by Tamara Scully
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act on Dec. 11, 2019. The bill now heads to the Senate, where proponents are hopeful that the bipartisan support the bill received in the House will be replicated. (more…)
Blueberries are probably the most widely distributed fruit in the world. The blueberry thrives only on organic, acidic soils, doing best at a pH of 4.5 – 5.0. (more…)
It isn’t enough that plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas and nematodes can attack vegetable crops and cause diseases, and that parasitic plants such as dodder can do the same. (more…)
Fruit trees are long term investments. Protecting those investments has grown more difficult as the vagrancies of changing weather patterns have caused problems. (more…)
Bridging the ending calendar year and crossing over into a new season prompts the usual business analysis – how did we do? Did we make a profit? (more…)
Bugs are bad, right? They can carry diseases from plant to plant. They can eat your crops. They can be very difficult to get rid of. (more…)
The foundation of dry farming is site assessment and familiarity with the soil.
Photo by Sally Colby
by Sally Colby
Water is scarce in the west, and many farmers have dealt with additional limits resulting in challenging growing conditions. (more…)
At Spring Valley Family Farm’s annual pumpkin hunt, children race among the fir trees, pursuing prized pumpkins.
Photo courtesy of Spring Valley Family Tree Farm
by Enrico Villamaino
Founded on a passion for farming, trees and family traditions, Spring Valley Family Tree Farm has grown and prospered for over a decade in northwestern Idaho. (more…)
The proposed license plate, which would feature the Washington apple logo, would benefit the industry and a scholarship fund.
Image courtesy of Sen. Brad Hawkins
by Courtney Llewellyn
On Dec. 3, Sen. Brad Hawkins (R-12th District) made a move to further support one of Washington State’s most important industries – its apple industry – by pre-filing SB6032: “Creating a Washington apples special license plate.” (more…)
