Utah ranks No. 2 in the country's tart cherry production and is home to about 17 commercial producers. Utah's tart cherry operations generate between $7 million and $21 million annually, according to Utah State University.
But the industry is struggling to compete with cheap foreign imports. The imports make it hard for Utah farmers, especially multigenerational operations, to stay in business as costs continue to rise. Marc Rowley, a member on the Cherry Marketing Institute and the Utah Red Tart Cherry boards, is one of the many cherry farmers affected.
“We want to keep growing cherries, but only if it is profitable,” he said.
Five dried cherry processors took legal action with an “anti-dumping” lawsuit but it failed. As it continues to get tougher for domestic farmers, Ryan Rowley wants the public to understand the important role domestic agriculture plays.
“There’s no better environmentalist than the farmer,” he said. “No one cares more about the water, soil ... than farmers. Our 160 acres of open space improves the quality of life in this family, this area. As stewards of this land, we want to make good use of it.”