International Fruit Tree Association

10/20/2026

The International Fruit Tree Association got a look at agrivoltaics, UV-C pest control and more in July at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University Hudson Valley Research Laboratory in New York.
https://goodfruit.com/tree-fruit-researchers-looking-for-the-local-angle/

10/16/2026

The IFTA is lucky to have an amazing membership who is constantly interested in broadening the horizons of technology to see how it can aid our industry. In the inaugural episode of the new podcast "Sound Bites" from Good Fruit Grower, IFTA's own board member Paul Cathcart shares his thoughts on the effects tech will have on irrigation, crop load management, and harvesting.

In this inaugural episode of Sound Bites, the podcast from _Good Fr...

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.