Northwest Farmers, Shop-keeps Wait Anxiously For Cherry Workers

Anna King — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:06:33 +0000

With lingering high unemployment and the endless talk of the down economy – it’s hard to believe that there are some industries putting help-wanted signs out by the dozens. But that’s the case in Northwest orchard country where there appears to be a dwindling supply of migrant workers for cherry picking. Cherry season started this past week, and as correspondent Anna King reports, farmers and shop-keeps alike are anxiously waiting for more workers to arrive.

Dreary June Forecast Has Northwest Cherry Farmers A Bit Worried

Anna King — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 01:09:37 +0000

The Northwest cherry harvest is set to begin next week, but farmers are a bit glum. That’s because the National Weather Service says this month’s temperatures will be near or below average across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Cool weather and rain and can delay ripening and compress the cherry growing season. That means that markets have less time to sell the perishable fruit. Plus, farmers may have a harder time recruiting enough labor in a shortened season.

And there’s another problem according to the Washington Fruit Commission's B.J. Thurlby. He says rain can spoil the fruit on the branch.

Cherries

Northwest Farmers, Shop-keeps Wait Anxiously For Cherry Workers

Dreary June Forecast Has Northwest Cherry Farmers A Bit Worried