San Joaquin County Declares State of Emergency Over Cherry Crisis

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Cherries are a beloved summertime treat. However, this season, they might be difficult to find.

Currently, the cherry season looks like it will yield a notably smaller harvest overall,” stated James Chinchiolo, vice president of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Federation and owner of Lodi Blooms. “Some predictions indicate that this could be as low as half of what the industry typically produces.”

In San Joaquin County, approximately 19,000 acres are dedicated to growing cherries, with damage estimates affecting about 43% of these orchards.

Given that this particular county yields almost 80% of all cherries produced in the state of California, it's having a severe impact on the entire cherry industry.

Chinchiolo stated, “Farmers like us rely on harvest workers. We also count on individuals who transport the produce. Electricians are equally important to our operations. There are countless others whose contributions aid us in achieving our goal—getting these cherries from the orchards to stores—which significantly impacts various sectors throughout San Joaquin County.”

The issue arose due to the heavy rainfall in March and April, which interfered with pollination. Following an unusually warm summer previously, this set up ideal conditions for farmers facing challenges.

Given that cherries are highly delicate fruits prone to damage if water remains on them for an extended period, this has prompted the San Joaquin County Agriculture Commissioner to announce a state of emergency.

“Once the disaster is declared by the Secretary of USDA, aid will typically take the shape of low-interest loans available to our farming community rather than grants,” explained Kamal Bagri, the Agriculture Commissioner of San Joaquin County.

Once the submission has been made, the California Office of Emergency Services will review the commissioner’s findings and assess whether the county experienced unusual circumstances during this season.

If this proclamation is approved, it will provide essential assistance to farmers throughout the region.

Chinchiolo stated they are receptive to receiving assistance, as this will aid them in sustaining a robust operation, ensuring their employees remain working, and guaranteeing they can continue nurturing the trees so they may produce fruit once more next year.

The county anticipates a financial loss of around $98 million.

Nevertheless, there are methods to back local businesses. This coming Saturday, the Cherry Festival in Linden will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, over the weekend, Lodi Blooms will launch their "Cherry U-Pick" activity.