Focus Magazine
Global gut: Wine grape glut may cut into industry’s profits
While the quality of grapes and winemaking in Washington state remain world-class, the global glut of wine continues to cut...
To market: Exporters turn to new trade agreements, Zoom
Washington’s agricultural exporters faced brutal headwinds in 2019 and they are facing them again in 2020. Trade wars, retaliatory tariffs...
Cherry picked: Growers worry about finding enough workers
Covid-19 could hurt southeast Washington’s cherry crop by limiting the number of fruit pickers allowed in orchards. The fickle crop...
A big bite: $3B apple industry is the MVP of Washington ag
The Washington apple industry has had a challenging year. Retaliatory tariffs. Labor shortages. And now a pandemic that has contributed...
Hired help: Pandemic exacerbates ag labor shortage
The state of Washington is under pressure to enforce social distancing guidelines at farms and orchards, but farmers say they...
Surplus spuds: Coronavirus upends potato industry
Demand for Mid-Columbia potatoes was growing every year — until coronavirus. Area potato growers specialize in varieties that taste great...
Brewing storm: Hop growers pull back as beer drinking shifts
Growing conditions are strong on Washington hop farms but growers are curtailing expectations of modest growth as beer-drinking patterns shift...
Concords rebound: Juice grape growers step up to meet demand
There is no glitz or glamour associated with Concord grape production in Washington state, but the industry is looking better...
