Northwest Cherry Growers announced registration is now open for the 79th annual Cherry Institute, scheduled Jan. 7 at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Washington. 

According to a news release, this year’s agenda was created to provide knowledge and tools to help mitigate the many challenges cherry growers currently face. Topics include: labor developments, updates on little cherry disease, managing heat, cherry breeding, automation and more. 

Tickets are $40 for the meeting and lunch, featuring keynote speaker James Lawrence and the crowning of the annual Cherry King/Queen, or $20 for the meeting only. 

The annual Cherry Institute is sponsored by Northwest Cherry Growers and the Washington State Fruit Commission, in coordination with Washington State University. 

For more information and a registration link, go to: https://www.nwcherries.com/cherry-institute.

—by Jonelle Mejica