News
Read recent and past articles from Basin Business Journal here
After some rough years, apple market may be improving in 2026
OTHELLO — It’s been a rough few years for apple and pear growers, but 2026 looks like it could bring better news. …
USDA announces second round of covid farm aid
Farmers who missed out on the first round of Coronavirus loss assistance are now eligible to apply for a second round of assistance under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP2).
Potato losses hurt more than just farmers, processors
It’s been a difficult year for the Washington’s potato farmers, with growers and potato processors losing an estimated $900 million in sales — both domestic and exports — and $170 million in income, according to a …
Yakima wineries struggle with COVID-19 closures
The sawdust was still settling on Fortuity Cellars’ new tasting room when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Washington water trust names new executive director
James Kraft has been named the new executive director of the Washington Water Trust.
U.S. potato sales sag but still strong
A decline in demand for U.S. potatoes internationally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic caused total potato exports to fall almost 3 percent for the marketing year 2019-2020, according to Colorado-based marketin…
Royal Slope receives viticultural area designation
It’s official — the Royal Slope is now its very own designated wine producing region.
Growing cotton in the Columbia Basin
Augie Kooistra is not a man who takes “no” for an answer.
More Asian giant hornets found in Washington
The bad is news that nine Asian giant hornets have been found in Washington state in the last year. The good news is the nasty bugs — most two inches long with…
Wind farm sprouts on Rattlesnake Flat
The name Rattlesnake Flat evokes bleak and remote desolation — lonely cacti dotting a dusty landscape, the occasional tumbleweed lopping past a cattle skull sl…
Design work finished on Connell rail improvement
Design work on the proposed Connell Rail Interchange is finished, according to an announcement from the group backing the project.