A “dream team” of cherry researchers from across the nation is working on a project designed to help assure the profitability of the fresh sweet cherry industry in the future. The project, entitled “A Total Systems Approach to Developing a Sustainable Stem-free Sweet Cherry Production, Processing and Marketing System,” was awarded a four-year, $3.9 million grant through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative. The rationale behind the project is that, to remain profitable and sustainable, the sweet cherry industry must improve ­harvest labor efficiency without reducing ­consumer appeal of the fruit. Dr. Matt Whiting, associate scientist and Extension specialist with […]