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
24 Jul 2025
The cherry season in Spain’s Jerte Valley ends with 7 million kilos certified, free from rain or hail damage. The Lapins variety joins the PDO list for the first time. Local institutions strengthen their support for the region’s agricultural and rural sector.
15 Dec 2023
Lorena Pinto, Product Manager of A.N.A. Chile Cherries, emphasised that the collaboration with the University is a scenario to present a wide range of fruit varieties that are now experiencing an unusual season due to climatic problems.
08 Jan 2026
Essential post-harvest practices to increase cherry orchard yield in Chile. Learn how irrigation, nutrition and pest control help optimize plant recovery, build reserves, and ensure a productive flowering and fruiting season under Chile’s changing climate conditions.
08 Jan 2026
A genomic study identified 235 UGT genes in sweet cherry, revealing the key role of PavUGT10 in waterlogging tolerance. The gene boosts plant survival by enhancing antioxidant responses and reducing oxidative stress damage in flooded conditions.
