Cold Storage, Bins, and Fans

Along this agricultural valley, notice the large concrete warehouses that are used to store fruit. Once filled with fresh fruit, these cold storage facilities are sealed and flushed with nitrogen. This reduces the oxygen level to a very low 2%. Stable storage at the specified low oxygen level and cold temperature keeps the fruit fresher longer. You may also notice propeller-like fans in the orchards. They are used in the early spring to stir up the air to combat frost that might kill the flowering fruit buds. Orchard fans are easier to use and environmentally cleaner than the old method of burning smudge pots.

The Wenatchee Valley's "Fruit Bowl of the Nation" nickname isn't just about apples. The region's fruit industry also extends to peaches, pears, cherries, and apricots. These crops are celebrated throughout the year with festivals like the Wenatchee Cherry Festival and the Leavenworth Pear Festival. The Wenatchee Valley's agricultural richness beckons with its array of small farms and roadside stands, offering a delightful variety of fresh produce.  Since 1884, when the first commercial apple orchard was planted, the county's orchards have flourished, with Chelan County leading the state in pear production and ranking high in apple and cherry cultivation. However, challenges such as shifting market dynamics and international competition have impacted apple growers, leading to diversification efforts, including the rise of agro-tourism and the cultivation of wine grapes.  Despite a decline in farmland acreage over the past decades, the region's agricultural spirit endures, reflected in its small-scale farming operations and the scenic beauty of its rural landscape.

Agriculture of the valley. (n.d.). Wenatchee Valley Visitors Information. https://www.wenatcheevalley.org/agriculture/