Around the Industry

Washington Wine Industry Announces Recipient of Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship The Washington wine industry named Dennis Fraley of Florence, South Carolina, as the recipient of the 2026 Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship for Writers and Communicators. Fraley was selected out of a talented pool of applicants by a committee composed of writers and industry leaders.  Fraley is a wine…

WWCC Launches New 1-Year Wine Industry Sales and Management Cert. Walla Walla Community College announced the launch of its new Wine Industry Sales and Management Certificate, a one-year program designed to support working professionals and provide a flexible, career-focused pathway into the wine industry.  Built within the college’s nationally recognized Enology and Viticulture program, the new certificate responds directly to industry demand for skilled…

Know the Health Risks of Breathing in Wildfire Smoke Wildfire smoke is a growing public health and climate concern, especially in the western U.S., and it’s affecting more people than ever before. Covered employers must have a plan for responding to wildfire smoke exposure symptoms. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and what you can…

WSDA – Japanese Beetle Stakeholder Update Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) continues to work to eradicate Japanese beetles in Washington State. Japanese beetles are making their first appearances of the year in Eastern Washington. Five beetles were detected in one trap in Pasco on June 4. You can view detections in real time on…

Nominations Now Open for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on USDA FSA County Committees Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the…

Yakima Valley College – Winery Incubator Space Available Yakima Valley College is now accepting applications for its Winery Incubator Program at the YVC Teaching Winery in Grandview, WA, beginning Fall 2026.  This program is ideal for startup and emerging wineries looking to grow without the burden of major upfront investment. Participants gain access to:  Turnkey production space (~1,300 sq. ft.)  Shared winery…

From Wine Commission: Fellowship for Writers and Communicators Continues 3rd Year The 2026 Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship for writers and communicators, now in its third year, will award up to two recipients with an immersive trip to Washington’s vineyards and wineries, along with a stipend. The Fellowship was established in memory of Allen Shoup, who passed away in 2022. Shoup played a pioneering role in…

West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force is Recruiting  The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force aims to develop and disseminate information relevant to industry groups, growers, and winemakers operating in California, Oregon, and Washington. The goal is to foster dialogue between the industry and researchers, speaking with a unified voice to advance research in this crucial area. By facilitating collaboration, establishing priorities, and setting goals, the…

WSDA Pest Watch Webinar Survey  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) hosted a free webinar Pest Watch: Strategies for Specialty Crop Protection in March.  Pest Watch presentations are available for view. Silent invader and Tree-of-heaven  Learn how Washington is preparing for spotted lanternfly with survey efforts, ant eDNA collections, and alternate host plant studies. Follow these efforts with learning how…