Focus Magazine

To offset the challenges presented with the sale of wheat, some farmers have begun a crop rotation with canola, which produces a vibrant yellow flower as it grows. (Photo by Karen Sowers)

Agriculture powerhouse: Crop value high amid trade threats

By Robin Wojtanik | June 2019
Persistent issues with international trade have been threatening Washington’s most successful crops. Ongoing trade issues with Asian markets and North...
The Washington wine industry has blossomed from its beginnings to become a major player in U.S. wine production, and the number of wineries has increased from 300 in the mid-1990s to about 1,000 wineries across the state today. (Photo by Andy Perdue)

Fine vines: Wine industry has come into its own

By Guest Contributor | June 2019
By Andy Perdue When a young grapevine begins growing in the sandy soils of Washington’s Columbia Valley, it takes a...
(Courtesy Washington Grain Commission)

Turbulent trade: State’s exports remain steady

By Jennifer Drey | June 2019
Washington’s agricultural exports held steady in 2018, demonstrating both strength and missed opportunity, as some industries suffered under new trade...
The Washington cherry crop is consistently among the top 10 agricultural commodities in the state with predictions of this year’s crop reaching 25 million boxes of fruit. (Courtesy Northwest Cherry Growers)

Fruitful summer: Cherry crops a sweet success

By Robin Wojtanik | June 2019
The 2019 Washington cherry crop is expected to reach nearly 25 million boxes. These initial estimates come from about 2,100...
Ripe Apples in Orchard ready for harvesting

Apple action: New variety coming as tariff threats loom

By Robin Wojtanik | June 2019
As the state’s apple growers strategize to overcome international tariffs, they’re also looking ahead to introduce to the world a...
Farmers’ participation in the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program has increased 1,000 percent in 10 years, while federal funding has remained flat. A legislative advisory committee will review the budget over the next two years. (Courtesy Andréa Johnson Photography/Washington State Wine Commission)

Looking for laborers: Guest worker program seeks funds

By Jennifer Drey | June 2019
With a growing number of Washington farm owners turning to the H-2A guest worker program to meet their labor needs,...
The demand for frozen potato products such as french fries and tater tots has increased so much that the Washington Potato Commission says that overseas exports have been rationed. The state’s potato farmers grew 10.5 billion pounds in 2018. (Courtesy Washington State Potato Commission)

Popular potatoes: Spuds stay big business for state

By Kevin Anthony | June 2019
The sweetest words a potato farmer in Eastern Washington can hear aren’t about crop yields or perfect weather or the...
The Yakima Valley — the world’s largest producer of hops — had only a slight increase of 1 percent in hops acreage last year compared to explosive growth in previous years. (Courtesy Hop Growers of America)

Hop crops: Market slows after rapid growth

By Kevin Anthony | June 2019
The most recent hops data paints a picture that could be interpreted as an end to the recent boom for...
Washington is the nation’s largest producer of Concords — used primarily as a juice grape. More than half of the nation’s supply is grown in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Juicy fruit: State dominates U.S. for Concords

By Guest Contributor | June 2019
By Andy Perdue While the Washington wine grape market booms, even approaching the state apple industry in size and economic...
Sarah Hedges Goedhart, head winemaker for Hedges Cellars on Red Mountain, walks through their organically farmed estate vineyard. (Photo by Andy Perdue)

Organic grapes: A natural tourist attraction

By TCAJOB Staff | June 2019
The growing number of organic grape-growing regions in the Northwest provide new opportunities for wine marketing around the popular buzzword...
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