Agriculture + Viticulture

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ full-color, glossy magazine Focus: Agriculture + Viticulture takes a closer look at how our region serves as the powerhouse that drives our state’s agriculture and viticulture industries. This magazine is published in the spring.

A combine harvests wheat in Walla Walla County. (Courtesy Washington Association of Wheat Growers)

Wheat production rebounds amid new challenges

After a calamitous 2021 harvest that saw the lowest total production since the 1960s, Washington wheat made a comeback the following year with a return-to-average crop. Weather conditions look poised…

Courtesy Washington State Tree Fruit Commission

Cherry farmers brace for uncertainties

After a 2022 season challenged growers with unseasonably cool temperatures and late snow that damaged blossoms and discouraged honeybees from leaving their hives, cherry farmers are looking forward to more…

Courtesy Washington Apple Commission

State’s signature crop expected to make a comeback

It could be a more normal year for Washington apples after smaller harvests in 2021 and 2022. Last year, growers brought in 102.7 million 40-pound box equivalents, according to the…

Courtesy Hop Growers of America

Low yields don’t damper hop growers’ optimism

Last year has been described as a challenging one for the hop industry, coming off a previous record crop, unseasonably cold and wet spring and increased costs for production. But…

Grüner spargel wächst aus der erde

Washington asparagus hangs in the balance

Washington is the national leader in asparagus, the crop that kicks off the fresh produce season. That title doesn’t come without challenges though. The industry continues to be undermined by…

Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder uses lasers, GPS and AI technology. (Courtesy Carbon Robotics)

A company with a facility in Richland is on front lines

Bruce Swindler usually doesn’t like to be the first in line to buy a new vehicle. He’d rather wait a bit and see how it handles for others before taking…