by Ben CoxBeing a farmer means being ready for anything. Ben CoxWhether managing through unreliable weather, planning against volatile crop prices or adapting to changing consumer preferences, the life of a farmer is anything but predictable. Today, the agricultural industry must also contend with new technologies that change how farmers...
Washington and six other states have launched a new national approach to licensing money service businesses.These businesses, known as “fintech” companies, include money transmitters, payment service providers and currency exchangers.Fintech refers to new technology used to support or enable banking and financial services.Generally, money service businesses have to apply for...
Hirst decision agreement gets several construction projects back on trackA number of stalled Mid-Columbia construction projects are now shifting into gear since the Washington Legislature reached a compromise on a controversial water rights bill.The irony is despite the rural nature of the well-digging conflict, the compromise does not really affect...
FCCI working to fabricate pipeline for Hanford tank farm projectThe welding torches are ablaze in a Richland company’s new fabrication shop where highly-skilled welders are making pipeline components for the water and chemical distribution system for the Hanford tank farm.Fluid Controls and Components Inc., or FCCI, specializes in nuclear-certified piping...
Declining revenue has forced the Richland-based Ignite Youth Mentoring program to lay off staff and focus on restructuring.The executive board of the struggling Christian mentoring organization issued an announcement about the “steadily declining revenue” to staff, donors, mentors and the community last month.The board planned to meet community members, supporters,...
120 students now enrolled in viticulture, enology undergraduate programSeven years ago, Becca DeKleine was the lone College of Agriculture student walking at Washington State University’s Tri-Cities campus commencement.She carried the department’s banner by herself.She and three others graduated together with an emphasis in viticulture and enology in 2011. The others...
Four Feathers Wine Estates processed 15,000 tons of grapes last yearThe winemaking happening inside Four Feathers Wine Estates in Prosser is no small operation.The more than 100 towering silver tanks can store three million gallons within the 50,000-square-foot warehouse and process some 15,000 tons of wine grapes a year.Four Feathers’...
Public plaza, space for food trucks to be completed this summerNow that wine is being made and poured at Kennewick’s waterfront wine village, the community can look forward to the next ribbon cutting, as the second phase is set to get underway this summer.A larger-than-expected crowd gathered for the Feb....
By Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman, Wine News ServiceWhen Rob Griffin arrived in Washington wine country from his native California in early 1977, he never dreamed he’d be most famous for making pink wine.Yet today, the owner/winemaker of Barnard Griffin in Richland may be making the best rosé in America....
By Marilou SheaZeb’s Vineyard produces mighty fine grapes.But they typically aren’t found in an award-winning bottle of wine. Marilou Shea,Food Truck AcademyUnlike the vinifera primarily grown on the West Coast that have ties to European heritage, Zeb’s grape varietals harken from good ole America.The juicy Concord is named after its...
