International Fruit Tree Association

10/01/2026

🌳🤖 **THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IS COMING TO YAKIMA!** 🌱

The **International Fruit Tree Association is proud to be a Partner Organization of FIRA USA 2026** — coming to the **Pacific Northwest for the first time!**

📅 **October 20–22, 2026**
📍 **State Fair Park | Yakima, Washington**

FIRA USA brings together **growers, researchers, robotics innovators, technology companies, investors, universities, and industry leaders** for three days focused on the technologies transforming agriculture.

And this isn't just about hearing what's next — **you'll see it in action.** 🚜

🌱 **WHAT TO EXPECT:**
🤖 Live demonstrations of agricultural robots and emerging technology
💡 Practical solutions addressing labor shortages, input costs, productivity, and resource management
🎤 Educational sessions with growers, researchers, AI and robotics experts, and industry leaders
🤝 Matchmaking connecting growers with technology developers, investors, startups, suppliers, and manufacturers
🎓 Research and student programming
🗣️ Opportunities for growers to provide direct feedback and help shape future technologies

**Come see the technology. Meet the innovators. Ask questions. Share your challenges. Discover what's possible for the future of agriculture.**

🎟️ **Registration is FREE for growers, students, and journalists!**
*Advance registration required.)

Industry attendees can receive 20% off with code **FIRA26YCDA**.

👉 **REGISTER:** https://app.imagina.com/fira-usa-2026/

🔎 **LEARN MORE:** https://fira-usa.com/

🤝 **EXHIBIT OR SPONSOR:**https://fira-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/FIRA-USA-2026-Event-Proposal.pdf

📍 **Yakima | October 20–22 | Come see what’s next for agriculture.**

09/25/2026

🌳 **The International Fruit Tree Association is proud to partner with FIRA USA 2026!** 🤖🌱

FIRA USA is coming to the **Pacific Northwest for the first time**, bringing the world of agricultural robotics and technology to **Yakima, Washington, October 20–22, 2026**.

📍 **State Fair Park | Yakima, WA**

This premier agricultural technology event will bring together **growers, researchers, technology companies, robotics innovators, investors, universities, and industry leaders** to explore practical solutions to some of agriculture’s biggest challenges — from labor shortages and rising input costs to water constraints and changing production conditions.

And this isn't just about hearing what's coming next. **You'll see the technology in action.**

🌱 **What to expect:**
• Live field demonstrations of agricultural robots and emerging technologies
• Educational sessions with growers, researchers, robotics and AI experts, and industry leaders
• Technology focused on real-world challenges facing agriculture
• One-on-one matchmaking between growers, technology teams, investors, startups, suppliers, and manufacturers
• University, student, and research programming
• Opportunities for growers to provide direct feedback to technology developers

🎟️ **Registration is FREE for growers, students, and journalists** (advance registration required).

Industry attendees can receive **20% off registration** with promo code **FIRA26YCDA**.

👉 **Register:** https://app.imagina.com/fira-usa-2026/

🔎 **Learn more about FIRA USA:** https://fira-usa.com/

🤝 **Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring?**https://fira-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/FIRA-USA-2026-Event-Proposal.pdf

If you're interested in where **robotics, AI, and automation are headed in agriculture**, FIRA USA 2026 is an opportunity to see these technologies up close — and connect with the people putting them to work.

09/02/2026

The International Fruit Tree Association summer study tour visited New York’s Hudson Valley fruit farms finding ways to add value to their apples. See what they saw at: https://goodfruit.com/diversification-and-innovation-in-new-york-orchards/

08/25/2026

08/19/2026

Check out some notable quotables, courtesy of some of New York’s finest in the fruit-growing industry.

08/19/2026

CROP UPDATE! Joan Hebb, IFTA board member from Nova Scotia, enlists the help of Perennia tree fruit specialist, Michelle Cortens to figure out what is going on with her trees and their discolored bark.

08/17/2026

CROP UPDATE! Mike Flinchbaugh, IFTA board member from Pennsylvania, discusses the aftermath of a tough freeze and shows off his experiment with trellised peaches.

08/05/2026

A great write up on the recent IFTA Summer Study Tour in the Hudson Valley, NY!

There was plenty to see and learn at International Fruit Tree Association's 2026 Summer Tour in New York's Hudson Valley. American Fruit Grower was there.

07/27/2026

CROP UPDATE! David Tower, IFTA board member from Western New York, fills us in out what appears to be a really good year for farmers in his neck of the woods and walks us through some of the things they are doing at his orchards to encourage strong and healthy growth with his apple trees.

07/25/2026

What an incredible honor for our family farm! 🍎🌳

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Fruit Tree Association for including Hurds Family Farm as a stop on the 2026 IFTA Summer Tour. We were truly honored to welcome growers, researchers, educators, and industry leaders from around the world to our farm and share what we've been working on. The tour highlighted innovative orchards and practices across the Hudson Valley, and we were proud to be part of those conversations.

As a 7th-generation family farm, we're always looking for new ways to farm smarter while creating a sustainable future for the next generation. It was exciting to showcase many of the innovative ideas we're implementing—from sharing how we continue adapting our orchard management, embracing new technology, and finding creative ways to help Mother Nature and our environment. Every season brings new challenges, but it also brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and innovate.

Thank you again to everyone who visited our farm, asked thoughtful questions, and shared your knowledge. We hope you enjoyed your time in the Hudson Valley as much as we enjoyed hosting you!