Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/489844
46 APRIL 15, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER LAST BITE More Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg Pedro Cuevas Jr. grower / Royal City, Washington age / 25 crops / Cherries, apples business / Part owner of Rancho Cuevas orchard and fi eldman with CHS Sun Basin other experience / Graduated Wenatchee Valley College in horticulture PLAY goodfruit.com/yg scan to watch the interview " " " " What was your fi rst job on the farm? I started when I was very, very young. I was 7, 8 years old and we would be out working because we didn't have much to eat or many toys. We didn't have much to do but work, so I would help Dad changing water, moving bins around, learning how to drive the Hyster forklift and tractors, basically, doing whatever I was asked to do. What would you say about working alongside your father? My dad would always tell me when we'd work together that he didn't want to see me where he's at, at his age. Even though he's been successful doing what he's done, he didn't want to see me working day and night, seven days a week in the orchard. That's why I looked for a job that was more Monday through Friday/Saturday where I could get some time off to be with family. What do you want to improve at your farm? One of the things I've liked is the high-density cherry orchard technique because you can manage it easier, get higher volume and also install rain and hail protection on it. It's awesome. Another thing I've been looking at is a super-spindle planting system for apples. It's a very high-density planting — trees are six inches apart. You get double the amount of bins per acre than in your normal planting with trees 12 inches or two feet apart. What would you tell someone who wants to become a grower? I'd say you've got to love what you are doing. If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life, right? " If my friends asked me why I went into farming, I'd say the science that goes into growing a tree is pretty awesome. by TJ Mullinax More from this interview and other Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg.