Automating Apples
Washington produces over two thirds of the apples consumed in the United States. But with a continually shrinking labor pool and increasing market demands from overseas, the apple industry has struggled to keep up in recent year, despite record-setting crop yields.
To meet these challenges farmers, entrepreneurs and scientists are looking to a new generation of automated and semi-autonomous technology to reinforce, and someday perhaps even replace, the lacking labor force in the apple business.
Jared Rusk is a senior visual journalism major from Kingston, Washington. He has a passion for filmmaking, music and adventure.