CHERRY INSTITUTE AGENDA

JANUARY 7, 2026 YAKIMA CONVENTION CENTER

8:00 – 8:30 Registration (NW Cherry Welcome Team)

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome & Elections
– Doug Field, chair of the Washington State Fruit Commission

                   – Bernardita Sallato, WSU Moderator

8:50 – 9:10 Cherry crop estimation – David Marshall, Agrimanagement

9:15– 9:40 Cherry costs of production — Suzette Galinato, WSU

9:45-10am* Economic Survey Karina Gallardo, WSU

9:45 – 10:20 Coffee Break (coffee at the trade show in the Good Fruit Grower Pavilion)

10:20 – 10:40 GA as a tool for quality – Matt Whiting, WSU

10:40 – 11:00 New cherry variety update – Per McCord, WSU

11:00 – 11:20 New research on bacterial canker — Frank Zhao, WSU

11:25 – 12:00 Disease management panel – moderated by Ashley Thompson, OSU

12:00 – 1:30 Luncheon Program –
Cherry King/Queen Presentation
Keynote speakers: Adam Brohimer of Luminary Insights shares an analysis of cherry market dynamics in recent seasons.

1:30 – 2:00 Tradeshow Break!

2:00 – 2:45 State of the Cherry Market Panel Session

2:45 – 3:00 The 2025 Sweet Cherry Season – Karley Lange, Northwest Cherry Growers, Yakima, WA

3:00 – 3:15 International Market Program Update – Keith Hu, Northwest Cherry Growers, Yakima, WA

3:15 – 4:15 Good Fruit Grower Reception – (enjoy drinks and appetizers at the Good Fruit Grower Pavilion)

Registration at the door.

More information at Northwest Cherries web page