Chant at the Moon Day marks 10-years of Stemilt’s Moon Cherries
Stemilt Growers participated in its national holiday, Chant at the Moon Day, celebrating the 10th harvest of its high-elevation, A Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherries. Fourth-generation cherry grower Kyle Mathison kicked off the early morning festivities with his usual charm, gracious words and cherry charisma.
Talking with The Produce News, Mathison spoke winsomely of his crews and orchardists: “Our people, our teams in the orchards today, are the very best –– they have that positive can-do spirit, that really sets them apart –– and what we’re doing here this morning is simply reminding them of that fact.”
The Amigos Orchard embodies Mathison’s abounding spirit, with an energy in the air that Mathison chalks up to the full-moon. “With the full moon, that extra gravitational force makes all the difference in our Moon Cherries –– that pull draws out the every last bit of carbohydrates, acids and sugars from the roots, giving our cherries an extra boost of sugars and flavor.”
After the shout-outs, thank yous and swag was distributed to commemorate the morning’s event, Mathison rallied the crews with his Chant at the Moon: “Tratamos duro! Para Ser los mejores productores! de Frutas Famosas del Mundo de Stemilt,” which translates to “We try harder! To be the best growers! of Stemilt World Famous Fruits.”
Stemilt’s premium high-elevation Moon Cherries are strategically grown at and above 2,600 feet (a half-mile) above sea level. The orchard’s high elevation means its trees are kept in cooler temperatures throughout the hot central Washington summer months, lending to an elongated maturation process for the fruit. Its late-season varietals allow Stemilt’s cherry program to stretch into September –– giving it one of the longest cherry seasons in the United States.
“They are a fantastic finale to the cherry season — a late bloom there this year may give us cherries for Labor Day," said Brianna Shales, marketing director at Stemilt. "We are continuing to plant high-elevation cherries that harvest in the late August time frame — this allows for season extension and more volume to sell during the final weeks of cherry season.”
Stemilt’s National Chant at the Moon Day, was born as a way to honor the legacy of Kyle Mathison and all of his Amigos who work on their world-famous, A Half-Mile Closer to the Moon cherries.
Derek Tommasini runs the morning meeting for his crew leaders.
Kyle Mathison, attentive to a team member's question.
Moon Cherries in the early morning light.
Wenatchee Valley, looking northeast, with orchards and the Columbia River below.
Orchard crews with ladders awaiting pickup to new location.
A Half Mile Closer to the Moon® cherries can be heard saying, "Pick me!"
Young orchard getting a good drink.
A sign reading, "Mathison" hangs over mailboxes at the Stemilt Hill processing facility.
Kyle Eberth
About Kyle Eberth | 
Kyle Eberth is new to the produce industry, but has grown up around it, in proclaimed "Apple Capitol of the World," Wenatchee, WA. For the past 14-years he has worked in the non-profit sector with an emphasis on brand storytelling, community engagement, and donor relationships.
Kyle graduated from Whitworth University (Spokane, WA) in 2007. He and wife Kelsey were married shortly thereafter, when they moved to Wenatchee to launch their careers. Kyle is "Dad" to Brooklyn and Hudson, together the Eberths enjoy skiing, biking, their family and friends, and playing together in the beautiful place they get to live.
