The business climate is even more dire outside the factories, in the fruit orchards of the Wenatchee Valley. Agriculture remains the largest employer in Chelan and Douglas counties, accounting for about one out of four jobs, according to the state Employment Security Department. Most farmers in the area grow fruit trees, and most of those trees grow apples. Washington's apple industry has taken a beating in recent years. Orchardists are contending with global competition, weak apple prices, unfavorable exchange rates, rising energy costs, consolidating grocery chains and tighter credit restrictions, among other things.
Growers routinely sell their apples at a loss.
To top it all off, state regulators this summer will ration water to Central Washington irrigation systems because of the worst drought in 24 years. Many growers, already weakened by the business climate, say the water shortage could deliver a fatal blow to their orchards. Kirk Mayer, manager of the Washington Growers Clearinghouse, has watched the Central Washington orchards since 1972. It's a pretty severe crisis. Fewer growers are buying tractors, power pruners, orchard forklifts and sprayers because they can't afford costly farm machinery.