We can find hope in hard times together – Good Fruit Grower

—by Shannon DininnyI’m not going to sugarcoat it: It’s been a tough yr for a lot of. Escalating prices, climate challenges, new laws, retail consolidation … the listing goes on. Growers have many causes to be discouraged this yr — and but, I see causes for hope.Shannon DininnyI see it within the relentless efforts of the individuals who help this business, whether or not they’re lobbying for growers’ pursuits on the state or federal degree, conducting analysis to offer growers higher choices for every thing from pest management to water administration, or aiding within the improvement of recent applied sciences that make farm and packing operations extra environment friendly and sustainable.I see it in Good Fruit Grower’s 2024 Grower of the Yr, Tom Gausman of AgriMACS in Chelan, Washington. You’ll be able to find out about him and what he’s realized over a decades-long profession, all featured on this subject’s centerpiece by Ross Courtney and photographer TJ Mullinax. We’re thrilled to rejoice Tom, who has quietly contributed to the business and weathered its ups and downs with grace and fortitude. Unsurprisingly, he gives right here considerate knowledge for the longer term. All of us prolong him our heartfelt congratulations!I additionally see hope within the experiences that a lot of our previous Growers of the Yr shared in a narrative written by editor Kate Prengaman. A dozen of them talked along with her about dealing with the hardest occasions, previous and current, and the resilience growers have to march forward into storm clouds and emerge able to continue to grow. Their reverence for what they do speaks volumes.That reverence offers me hope for the younger growers who seem within the pages of Good Fruit Grower every month. All of them, regardless of the challenges, see a future in an business they love. I do know I communicate for our total workers after I say we’re wanting ahead to seeing you this month. Along with our normal work from the Washington State Tree Fruit Affiliation Annual Assembly and the Nice Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO, we’ll be attending the Worldwide Fruit Tree Affiliation’s winter tour in South Africa this month. In any respect of those occasions, we count on to be taught loads to share with you, and extra will come from future conferences this winter. Our want is that our efforts to meet Good Fruit Grower’s mission — to coach growers — will provide you with hope for the longer term.Within the meantime, we want you peace, and a rejuvenating postharvest breather, as you stay up for subsequent season.To assist us fulfill Good Fruit Grower’s mission, we’re asking for two minutes from every of you this month. We’d like data from you, all of you, to make sure we’re offering the knowledge you most have to proceed to achieve success. Simply click on on the picture beneath to go to our reader survey. The data you present will stay confidential — and hey, when you submit it, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win an Apple iPad! A free iPad for two minutes of your time? Seems like a candy deal to me.Lastly, when you’re a candy cherry grower and also you haven’t but registered for Northwest Cherries’ Cherry Institute on Jan. 10, go browsing quickly to order your ticket. Amongst different pertinent matters, this yr’s convention features a panel on cherry decay and dieback, data on irrigation methods for warmth stress, and the most recent on little cherry illness detection by man’s greatest buddy (this editor loves canines). The lunch speaker might be Walt Duflock, vp of innovation for Western Growers. He may have a wealth of data to share about know-how in ag.This yr’s commerce present might be sponsored by Good Fruit Grower. You’ll want to go to us on the Good Fruit Grower Pavilion, and plan to affix us there for glad hour on the conclusion of the day’s program. To register, click on the picture beneath. 



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