2017 Cherry Institute will be held Jan. 20 — Pear, WSFC nominations at annual meetings

Cherry Institute at the Yakima Convention Center (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower file photo)

The 74th annual Cherry Institute is set for Jan. 20, 2017, at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Washington.

The program, which begins at 8:30 a.m., will highlight trellis engineering, platform use, powdery mildew, the breeding program, nutrient diagnostics, reducing postharvest cracking and splitting, costs of establishing and producing sweet cherries, food safety and a review of the 2016 cherry season.

Nominations and elections will be held for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee and the Washington State Fruit Commission Board of Directors (see following items for more details).

The noon luncheon program will feature guest speaker Matt Whiting, Washington State University Extension specialist. It will also include the announcement of the 73rd Cherry King in recognition of outstanding service to the cherry industry.

Registration fees at the door are $20 for the meeting only, $25 for lunch only and $40 for the meeting and lunch. For more information, call 509-453-4837 or email cherryinstitute@wastatefruit.com.

Cherry Marketing Committee representatives to be selected

Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee will take place during industry meetings in January.

The committee establishes grade, size and pack regulations for fresh sweet cherries from designated counties in Washington.

Nominations for District 1 will be held at the North Central Washington Stone Fruit Day at the Wenatchee Convention Center on Jan. 17.

Growers whose terms expire in 2017 are Ed Clark (Dennis Berdan, alternate) and Casey Collins (Marc Egerton, alternate).

Handler positions that will expire in 2017 are Jim Colbert (Ron Gonsalves, alternate) and Tate Mathison (Michael Taylor, alternate).

Nominations for District 2 will take place during the Cherry Institute meeting at the Yakima Convention Center on Jan. 20.

Growers whose terms expire in 2017 are Bob Harris (Donnie Olmstead, alternate), Gary Ormiston (Ed Skelton, alternate) and Camille Smith (Dennis Jones, alternate).

Handlers whose terms expire in 2017 are Cindy Alarcon (Robert Ball, alternate). All positions expire as of March 31, 2017.

Processed Pear Committee nominations approaching

Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Processed Pear Committee, which is administered by the Washington State Fruit Commission, will take place during industry meetings in 2017. The committee manages federal marketing order provisions relating to the handling of pears for processing.

Nominations for the Washington grower and handler positions will take place during the North Central Washington Pear Day on Jan. 18 in Wenatchee, Washington.

The expiring grower position is held by Ron Ball (first alternate position is vacant, second alternate is Bob Ball). The Handler position is held by Dan Kenoyer (both alternate positions are vacant).

Nominations to fill the expiring processor position will be held at the Washington-Oregon Canning Pear Association annual meeting on a February date to be determined. The position is held by Jon Holt (Dusty Edler is first alternate; second alternate position is vacant).

The Oregon handler position will be nominated at the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers Association annual meeting in Hood River, Oregon, on a February date to be determined. The position is held by Rob Peterson (first alternate is Gary Wells, second alternate is Jason Moore).

The public member position will be nominated at the Processed Pear Committee annual meeting, which has yet to be scheduled. The position is vacant (first alternate is Steve Castagnoli, second alternate is Ken Severn).

The two-year terms begin July 1, 2017, and expire on June 30, 2019. For more information, call 509-453-4837.

Upcoming meetings will include WSFC nominations

Nominations for positions to the 17-member Washington State Fruit Commission Board of Directors will take place during public meetings scheduled for early 2017.

Nominations for District 1 will be held during the North Central Washington Stone Fruit Day on Jan. 17, in Wenatchee, Washington.

Terms that expire in 2017 are held by producers Ed Clark and Ed Kenoyer and dealer Doug Pauly.

Nominations for District 2 and District 3 will take place during the Cherry Institute meeting on Jan. 20 in Yakima, Washington.

Terms expiring in 2017 are held by Don Olmstead Jr. (producer, District 2), Jill Douglas Sanchez (producer, District 2) and Jim Kelley (producer, District 3).

Nominations for a processor position will be held in February at the Washington-Oregon Canning Pear Association meeting in Yakima. The date has yet to be determined. The position is held by Doug Field.

The three-year terms begin May 1, 2017, and expire April 30, 2020. For more information, call 509-453-4837.