Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse visited the Yakima Valley in mid June to learn more about the cherry industry and its contribution to the local economy in Washington State.

In a visit to the Don and Barbara Olmstead ranch near Grandview, Scuse and Washington State Director of Agriculture Dan Newhouse examined Olmstead’s crop, which was expected to be harvested the following week. Although much of the U.S. cherry crop has been devastated by damaging weather conditions, Pacific Northwest cherry production is expected to reach record volume.