Peter Zeihan gave the keynote Betjer Address during the 2015 Washington hort show. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Peter Zeihan (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

The 75th annual Cherry Institute is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 12 at the Yakima Convention Center in central Washington.

The luncheon program will feature special guest speaker Peter Zeihan, a geopolitical strategist and expert on global energy, demographics and security.

Northwest Cherry Growers President B.J. Thurlby will present a review of the 2017 season, while NWCG’s James Michael and Keith Hu will discuss the 2017 cherry market.

Other speakers on the tentative agenda include Cherry Institute President Luke Anderson, Mike Willett of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Hannah Walters of Stemilt Growers, Oregon State University researcher Lynn Long and Washington State University researchers Bernardita Sallato-Carmona, Michael Bush, Matt Whiting, Rob Blakey, Girish Ganjyal, Timothy Lawrence, Scott Harper, Betsy Beers, Molly Darr and Gary Grove.

Preregistration is encouraged and can be made by contacting The Cherry Institute at 509-853-3504 or cherryinstitute@wastatefruit.com. Preregistrations must be received by Dec. 29.

Registration on the day of the event begins at 8 a.m., and lunch tickets are limited. A block of rooms has been set aside for the Cherry Institute at the Howard Johnson Plaza hotel, located across the parking lot from the convention center. For hotel reservations, call 509-452-6511.

Nominations are wanted for marketing committees

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

The committees establish grade, size and pack regulations for fresh cherries and apricots from designated counties in Washington state.

Cherries

Nominations for District 1 will be held at the North Central Washington Stone Fruit Day on Jan. 16 at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

Growers whose terms expire in 2018 are John Senseney (Dave Eichelberger, alternate), Norm Gutzwiler (Lee Gale, alternate) and Joe Wiggs (Kevin Stennes, alternate).

The expiring handler position is held by Bill Knight (alternate position is vacant).

Nominations for District 2 will be held at the Cherry Institute on Jan. 12 at the Yakima Convention Center. Growers whose terms expire in 2018 are Julie Bosma (Pedro Rodriguez, alternate) and Steve Knight (Ken Knight, alternate).

The expiring handler positions are held by Don Gibson (Josh Decker, alternate) and Peter Verbrugge (Rob Stewart, alternate).

Apricots

Nominations for District 1 will be held at the North Central Washington Stone Fruit Day on Jan. 16 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Growers whose terms expire in 2018 are Cameron Lewis (Aaron Dahlstedt, alternate) and Jan D. Leubber (Curt Dahlstedt, alternate).

The expiring handler position is held by Michael Taylor (Cole Jessup, alternate).

Nominations for District 2 will be held at the Cherry Institute on Jan. 12 at the Yakima Convention Center. Growers whose terms expire in 2018 are Brett Calhoun (Karen Doornink, alternate) and Richard R. Valicoff (Gayle Arnold, alternate). The expiring handler position is held by Jill Douglas (Joe Brandt, alternate).