Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/616629
6 JANUARY 1, 2016 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Cherry Institute is this month T he 73rd Annual Cherry Institute begins Jan. 15 at the Yakima, Washington, Convention Center with an update on the Cherry Breeding Program at Washington State University by Dena Ybarra of Perleberg Orchards. Other presentations that day include: Observations on the Newest Cherry Breeding Materials by Dr. Ines Hanrahan of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission; Sweet Cherry Horticulture by Dr. Matt Whiting of WSU-IAREC; an overview of the 2015 cherry season by B.J. Thurlby of the Washington State Fruit Commission; Evolving Dynamics of Cherry Marketing by James Michael and Keith Hu of Northwest Cherry Growers; and Preharvest Water Management on Cherry Fruit Quality and Tree Health by Nadia Valverdi of WSU-IAREC. The luncheon speaker is comedian John Keister of Seattle, former host of KING-TV's "Almost Live!" program. The afternoon sessions include: a grower panel on Precision Horticulture and Cherry Tree Stress Management, moderated by Whiting; food safety reg- ulations affecting cherry producers by Kate Woods of the Northwest Horticultural Council; UAV applications in cherries by Dr. Lav Khot of WSU-IAREC; Detecting and Managing Little Cherry Virus by Dr. Andrea Bixby- Brosi of WSU Tree Fruit Extension & Research Center; and Emerging Status and Management of Brown Marmorated Stinkbug in the Pacific Northwest by Dr. Mike Bush and Gwen Hoheisel of WSU Extension. For further information, contact cherryinstitute@ wastatefruit.com. FirstFruits makes a difference F irstFruits Marketing of Yakima, Washington, has been honored by the Southeast Yakima Community Center and the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington for making a difference in the lives of others. FirstFruits donated $5,000 to create a computer lab for elementary schoolchildren in an impoverished neigh- borhood who stay at the center after school. In addition, several FirstFruits employees volunteer with the orga- nization by teaching dance classes or participating in events during the year. A percentage of FirstFruits' profits is allocated each year by its employees to nonprofit organizations. Those it has supported recently include Yakima Northwest Harvest and Convoy of Hope for South Carolina flood relief. QUICK BITES People and industry in the news. Read more Fresh Updates at goodfruit.com/fresh-updates TJ MULLINAX/GOOD FRUIT GROWER The annual Cherry Institute returns to the Yakima Convention Center on Jan. 15.