Elections planned for cherry committee

YAKIMA — Representatives will be selected for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee at annual grower meetings in Yakima and Wenatchee in January.

The committee is split into two districts, north central Washington and south central Washington. The board includes seats for growers and for fruit processors, called handlers.

The Wenatchee meeting, Stone Fruit Day, is scheduled for Jan. 16 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Four positions are up for election, three growers and one handler. The incumbents are growers John Senseney, Wenatchee; Norm Gutzwiler, Malaga; Joe Wiggs, Wenatchee and handler Bill Knight, Wenatchee. Alternates are growers Dave Eichelberger, Wenatchee; Lee Gale, Malaga and Kevin Stennes, Pateros. The alternate position for handlers is vacant.

There are four positions open in District 2. The Yakima meeting, the Cherry Institute, is scheduled for Jan. 12 at the Yakima Convention Center.

Two grower positions and two handler positions are up for election. Grower incumbents are Julie Bosma, Granger and Steve Knight, Naches. Incumbent handlers are Don Gibson, Yakima and Peter Verbrugge, Wapato. Alternates are growers Pedro Rodriguez, Outlook and Ken Knight, Naches. Josh Decker, Yakima, is the alternate for one of the two handler positions; the second is vacant.

The committee establishes “grade, size and pack regulations” for cherries produced in designated Washington counties. Women, minorities and physically challenged people qualifying as growers or handlers are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.