Come July, cherries are everywhere here. Sweet. Sour. Deep maroon, golden yellow and even blush pink. Michigan is the second largest grower of cherries in the nation and we're home to the National Cherry Festival. But why?

In this episode we tell you the story of our favorite little stone fruit, the cherry. How did it get here? And how did Michigan become synonymous with cherries?

GUESTS:

Chris Reiser, president for the Peter Dougherty Society.
Nikki Rothwell, 2025 Cherry Industry Person of the year and Michigan State University's extension specialist in tree fruit integrated pest management. 
Jim Eckerle, farmer and owner of Eckerle Farms in Leelanau County & Suttons Bay.
Zach Eckerle, grandson of Jim Eckerle and future owner of Eckerle Farms.

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

Come July, cherries are everywhere here. Sweet. Sour. Deep maroon, golden yellow and even blush pink. Michigan is the second largest grower of cherries in the nation and we're home to the National Cherry Festival. But why?
In this episode we tell you the story of our favorite little stone fruit, the cherry. How did it get here? And how did Michigan become synonymous with cherries?
GUESTS:
Chris Reiser, president for the Peter Dougherty Society. Nikki Rothwell,&nbsp;2025 Cherry Industry Person of the year and Michigan State University's extension specialist in tree fruit integrated pest management. Jim Eckerle, farmer and owner of Eckerle Farms in Leelanau County &amp; Suttons Bay. Zach Eckerle, grandson of Jim Eckerle and future owner of Eckerle Farms.
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund