Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other Washington legislators sent an urgent letter to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting to expedite the Secretarial Catastrophe Designation for the 2023 sweet cherry crop. The season presented devastating challenges due to unusual weather conditions, resulting in a shorter season and an oversupply of sweet cherries.
The letter points out that growers in the region suffered significant economic losses, with some forced to leave 35% of the crop on the trees. USDA figures indicate losses of more than 50 per cent. Senators Cantwell and Murray and other representatives signed the letter, highlighting the broad political support for the cause.
Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
The letter was also signed by U.S Senators Maria Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).
The value of sweet cherries exceeds $1 billion and the Secretary Disaster Designation would allow growers access to low-interest emergency loans to address their losses. Governor Inslee has already requested the designation, and the USDA Farm Service Agency is currently evaluating the decision, pending approval by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Read the full article: Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Images: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Big Country News
05 Aug 2025
China’s cherry production is expected to hit 900K tons (+6%) in 2025/26, with record imports of 600K tons. Expanding acreage, new varieties and Chile’s dominance consolidate China’s status as the world’s leading and most influential cherry market for global trade.
11 Jul 2023
The nutritive value of fruits is directly related to their quality, which can be compromised by numerous adversities both in the field and postharvest. Various fungi and bacteria can cause disease on cherry trees.
26 Jun 2026
A three-year study in Poland compares organic and conventional sour cherries, showing that cultivar, climate and season affect fruit quality more than orchard management alone. Oblačinska stands out as the most promising cultivar for high-quality organic production.
26 Jun 2026
A Tasmanian study examines how clear and opaque rain covers change orchard microclimate, light, leaf physiology and cherry quality, combining replicated field trials and grower case studies to help producers improve fruit performance, harvest timing and storage potential.
