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
07 Jul 2023
Foliar applications of calcium salts (Ca) appear to reduce cracking, but the results available to date are still uncertain. First, the effects of Ca have been attributed to a decrease in osmotic potential, resulting in decreased water uptake.
18 Oct 2024
According to the Market Intelligence Department of ProChile, based on data from January to December 2023, Chilean fresh fruit shipments to India totaled 163 million dollars, representing about 3% of total global exports, equivalent to 5.791 billion dollars.
24 Jun 2025
At Cherry Tech 2025, agronomist Carlos Tapia explained how strategic cherry pruning—supported by NDVI mapping and spatial analysis—can reduce labor, improve fruit size, and enhance profitability. A cost-effective, high-impact tool to maintain Chile’s global cherry leadership.
24 Jun 2025
In Kyoto, Japan, the Sano family has protected a rare cherry blossom garden for generations. Tōemon Sano, 97, Japan’s most revered sakuramori, continues his mission to shield sakura trees from climate change and preserve their fleeting beauty and deep cultural significance.
