The 78th Annual Cherry Institute will be held Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, via electronic format, according to a news release from Northwest Cherry Growers. 

Live listening sessions include a presentation beginning at 9 a.m. PST on X-disease and little cherry virus, including a Q&A session, and a presentation beginning at 1 p.m. on cherry powdery mildew management and fungicide resistance results. 

There is no fee for attending this year’s Cherry Institute, but registration is required for the live webinars. 

To register for the X-disease and little cherry virus webinar, go to: http://treefruit.wsu.edu/event/lcd-webinar.

To register for the cherry powdery mildew management and fungicide resistance webinar, go to: http://treefruit.wsu.edu/event/cherry-powdery-product-resistance.

Recorded sessions for on-demand viewing will be available on Jan. 21 and include: 

—Horticulture updates from Matt Whiting, Washington State University. 

—“2020 Northwest Cherry Season by the Numbers,” presented by B.J. Thurlby with domestic and international market updates from James Michael and Keith Hu.

—“Blue Orchard Bees for Improving Pollination,” presented by Theresa Pitts-Singer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.

—“Orchard Systems for Labor Efficiencies and Profits,” presented by Greg Lang, Michigan State University. 

To view recorded sessions, go to: http://treefruit.wsu.edu/education-training/expert-presentations/

Nominations will be held for positions on the Washington State Fruit Commission board, Washington Cherry Marketing Committee and Washington Apricot Marketing Committee. 

Due to this year’s restrictions, no in-person meeting, trade show or crowning of the Cherry King will take place. 

The annual Cherry Institute is sponsored by Northwest Cherry Growers, Washington State Fruit Commission and Good Fruit Grower magazine and is coordinated with Washington State University extension offices. Becauses all organizations are working remotely, email cherryinstitute@wastatefruit.com or call (509) 453-4837 for more information. 

—by Jonelle Mejica