01/17/06 The Cherry Queen

01/17/06 The Cherry Queen

Since 1945, the Cherry Institute, the premiere day for the Northwest cherry industry, has crowned a Cherry King during its annual meeting each January. However, it would take a special contributor to the industry to set a precedent. This year, as 2005 Cherry King Jack Watson pointed out, there would be recognition of the first ever Cherry Queen. WATSON: In honor of twenty five years of service and leadership to (the) Northwest sweet cherry industry and the stone fruit marketing order, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce the 2006 Cherry King and everybody's queen & Ms. Lucille McFarland. But the overwhelmed and gracious McFarland said she felt no need to have the title change names in her regard. MCFARLAND: I always wanted to be a king. McFarland's background in tree fruit started as a child born and raised in the Okanogan region of Washington. But Watson says McFarland didn't show an interest in tree fruit until her later years in the Yakima Valley. And since 1980, McFarland has shown a passion for the industry that has led to several advances. WATSON: Leading the charge to put Rainier Cherries under a federal marketing order in 1994. As a result, Rainier Cherries have flourished. As the sweet cherry business has expanded, our King has been vital in keeping the industry working together. In 2001, our King led an initiative east of the Cascades range under one unified marketing order.
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