Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/662797
54 APRIL 15, 2016 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com LAST BITE More Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg Eladio Gonzalez grower / Selah, Washington age / 31 crops / Apples, cherries, wine grapes business / Orchard manager of G.S. Long test orchards family background / Eladio, a second-generation farmer from the upper Yakima Valley, worked alongside his father, Miguel Gonzalez, in orchards and now manages several test orchards in Naches, Washington. " " " How did you get your start? I got into the industry as a little kid watching my parents working in orchards. Both migrated from Mexico to the U.S. in the early '80s. Working in the ag business is all they've known. My siblings and I would be out with them helping out doing little things like moving water jugs and food for them. I was in and out of the orchard all the time because I loved it. Growing up I always said I wanted to be like my dad and do the work. Now that I am, I know I wouldn't do anything different now. What changes do you see in the future orchard? Drought is going to be a future issue, and we're working to waste less water, like electrically operat- ed valves that are triggered by a computer to zone in on your dry spots. These valves and manifolds will help you dial in what you're putting in the ground so you aren't irrigating the old-style way of watering for 12- or 16-hour sets. Now you can change sprinkler heads to micro-sprinklers that can help you water in half the time, or put water probes in the ground to help minimize issues. Back in the day we were farming 18-foot rows. Now we have these new high-density trellis systems. New trellis systems mean more trees in the ground per acre; it's amazing to see these systems produce. Sometimes you hear about farms that are picking 160 to 170 bins per acre, when they were only able to produce 60 to 80 bins per acre on a lucky day on the older orchards. That's just how the industry is evolving. What are some things you are bringing to the orchard? If I can help make people aware of work-related risks, it will help cut overall labor costs. When you train someone about something as basic as wearing safety glasses in the fi eld, things like that will go a long way. You never know when you'll get poked in the eye and if they aren't wearing glasses, they'll be down for maybe the rest of the year. What does that do to everyone's pocketbook? " I didn't expect any freebies starting out. ...everything was so interesting and new. PLAY goodfruit.com/yg scan to watch the interview www.gslong.com SPONSORED BY by TJ Mullinax More from this interview and other Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg.