Fresh cherry and soft fruit assessments for Washington State growers will stay at the same rate for the 2009 season, announced the Washington State Fruit Commission at its March board of directors’ meeting. The board, in approving the 2009-2010 budget of $5.8 million, accepted the previous year’s rate of $18 per ton for fresh cherries and $12 per ton for peaches, apricots, nectarines, prunes, and plums. An additional $4 per ton for cherries and $1 per ton for the soft fruit is collected to support research.