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The article discusses the Lipman Local program for small- to medium-size farmers in Immokalee, Florida that was formed by tomato grower Lipman Produce Inc. Topics mentioned include the partnership of Lipman with the farmers to sell fruits and vegetables in the markets, its assistance to growers in raising the level of their operations through advice, education, and cooperation in food safety and marketing, and the diversity of the program which is directed by Scott Rush.

The article focuses on the development of new rules to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It reports the postponement of the release of other important rules affecting the fruit and vegetable industries. Available information are presented including risk-based and commodity specific rule, exemption of smaller operations from FSMA by virtue of the Tester Amendment, and adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMP). Problems with ranking fresh commodities by risk are discussed.

The article describes different varieties of melons and cantaloupes in the U.S. These include the Golden HAMI F1 from Golden Valley Seed, Infinite Gold from Sakata Seed America and Dream Dew from HM Clause. The article also provides information on disease resistance and tolerance, average weight, length of maturity, yield potential and the U.S. region best suited for production.

The article offers information on the 73rd annual convention of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association to be held in Naples, Florida on September 28-30, 2016.

The article offers information on several winter trade shows and conferences on agriculture to be held in 2009 and 2010 in the U.S. which includes the Illinois Specialty Corps, Agritourism and Organic Conference, the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, and the 2010 Atlantic Coast Agricultural Convention and Trade Show.

The article focuses on the issues of food safety and labor facing vegetable growers as discussed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee. It is noted that committee members are concerned about the potential for many crops to be imported from other countries. According to Larry Yonce of J.W. Yonce and Sons in South Carolina, the risk management program of the USDA is important for the survival of the U.S. fresh produce industry.

The article discusses the important role played by honey bees in U.S. agriculture. It is noted that honey bees supply pollination services which support most fruit and vegetable producers. The value of honey bees due to pollination is placed at around $14.6 billion annually. Among the steps that can help growers optimize their fruit and vegetable pollination is understanding basic honey bee biology and behavior.

Focuses on the melon business of Turlock Fruit Co., by Steve Smith. Reason of Smith for selling pre-cut melons; Optimism of Smith on the U.S. market for fresh-cut melons; Challenges in pre-cut melon business. INSETS: Minimizing Pesticides;Suffocate That Melon;Cantaloupe's The Name.

A calendar of conferences and conventions for the U.S. agriculture industry from January to February 2015 is presented including the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Expo at Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the World Ag Expo at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California, and the Southwest Ag Summit at the Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona.

A calendar of agriculture-related events in the U.S. is presented including the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo & Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference in Syracuse, New York from January 25-27, 2011 and the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania from February 1-3, 2011.

A calendar of events for the fruit and vegetable growing industry for November and December 2010 is presented which includes a conference with the theme "Fresh Approaches to Fertilizing Techniques" from the California Department of Food and Agriculture at the Holiday Inn Fresno Downtown-Convention Center in Fresno, California on November 17 and 18, the Southeast Vegetable & Fruit Expo at the Kingston Plantation Embassy Suites Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from November 29- December 1 and Irrigation Show 2010 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona from December 5-7.

A calendar of events for the farm produce trade in North America from September to November 2010 is presented including the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Annual Convention, the 36th Annual Agricultural Labor Seminar, and the Canadian Greenhouse Conference.

The article deals with the case presented by the National Watermelon Association (NWA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the classification of watermelon in the melon category. The NWA is urging the FDA not to group watermelon in the melon category because melon is one the seven high-risk categories based on outbreaks traced by FDA. Robert Morrissey, executive director of the NWA is urging growers to plead their case to FDA and reconsider watermelon in relation to food safety.

This section offers news briefs from GrowingProduce.com web site as of December 2009. The site's Vegetable Insect Control Channel features videos designed to help farmers get the maximum benefit from their insect control program. A letter from David Fulton discusses the importance of labor to the U.S. fruit and vegetable industry and the importance of the industry to the well-being of the U.S. Tom Nassif of Western Growers and Judith Redmond of Full Belly From presented their cases on the implementation of a federal marketing program for leafy greens.

The article offers information on several trade shows and conventions in the U.S. in December 2008 including the 23rd Annual Southeast Vegetable & Fruit Expo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the 2008 Deep South Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show in Mobile, Alabama, and the 2008 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The article offers information on the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention held in Hershey, Pennsylvania in February. The issues discussed at the event include labor, food safety and marketing. The areas that should be considered to minimize the risk of contamination include water, worker training, manure and transportation according to Ana Rangarajan with the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University in New York. Tips on marketing fresh produce were also discussed at the convention.

The article presents a calendar of events that will be conducted by the vegetable and fruit industries in the U.S. from June to August 2006. The annual meeting of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association will be conducted from July 12 to 14. A summer convention will be conducted by the National Onion Association from July 19 to 22. The Potato Association of America will be holding its annual meeting from July 23 to 27.

The article focuses on several cooling methods that may fit into the handling systems of vegetable and fruit growers. The circulation of air when using the room cooling method is described. Information on the forced-air cooling method is also presented. Other methods explained include hydrocooling, ice cooling and vacuum cooling.

Discusses the possible increase in opportunities for U.S. growers to export fresh produce to European countries as of February 2006. Expansion of membership in the European Union in 2004; Major crops grown in Poland; State of the Hungarian fruit and vegetable market.

Reports that the National Potato Council (NPC) has joined with a number of other fruit and vegetable producer organizations in the U.S. who share the same interest in identifying changes to the 2002 Farm Bill that will enhance the competitiveness of the producers they represent. Task of the Farm Bill Task Force of the NPC; Remarks from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns about the potato industry; General NPC priorities in the 2007 Farm Bill.

Presents the schedule of activities in the fruit and vegetable trades in the U.S. as of March 2005. International Fresh-cut Produce Association Annual Conference and Trade Show; United 2005 Produce Expo & Conference; Produce Marketing Association Retail Produce Solutions Conference.

Presents information on several products used in fruit and vegetable trade in the U.S. as of March 2005. AgCHEK and Perception Accounting financial management packages for growers from Red Wing Software; Cams Tracker pivot monitoring device from Valmont Irrigation; Watchdog Frost Alert from Spectrum Technologies.

Presents news briefs on crop protection in the fruit and vegetable trade in the U.S., as of March 2005. Availability of Diazinon from Makhteshim Agan of North America Inc.; Approval received by Actara and Platinum insecticides from Syngenta Crop Protection; Registration of Zeal miticide from Valent USA Corp. in California for control of spider mites and red mites on strawberries.

Presents a calendar of events in the agriculture industry of Canada and the U.S. from September 21 to October 23, 2004. Meeting Retailer Requirements and Challenges in the Perishables Packaging Supply Chain Seminar in Monterey, California in September; Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Annual Convention in Naples, Florida in September; Western Plant Health Association Annual Meeting in Kaanapali, Hawaii in October.

Discusses the market opportunities for the year-round availability of fruits and vegetables. Advantages of having the first crop in the market; List of seasonal farm produce; Reason for the extensive research and adoption of season-extending production practices.

Discusses issues concerning the Country Of Origin Labeling law for agricultural products in the U.S. Reasons for the move of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association to call for a Congressional delay of the effective date for the labeling law; Purpose of the Food Promotion Act of 2004 passed by the House Agriculture Committee in July 2004; Response of the association to the bipartisan bill that creates a voluntary program for fruits and vegetables.

Discusses the partnership of the Leafy Greens Council with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture's Marketing Division to increase the efficiency of the marketing programs of grower-shippers of fresh fruit and vegetables. Promotion of cabbage in supermarkets in 1993; Campaign to broaden the appeal of vegetables to consumers by using fearsome creatures called Cruciferous Crusaders the Cancer Fighters; Creation of a Web page which includes a program teaching the nutritional values of vegetables.

Presents the schedule of several events concerning the fruit and vegetable industries in the U.S. in 2004. Missouri Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Springfield; 2004 Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; 2004 North American Berry Conference in Tampa, Florida.

Discusses trends in vegetable and fruit packaging system technologies as of August 2003. Information on the concept of modified atmosphere packaging; Benefits of using thermoform-fill-seal technology; Factors which may contribute to the marketing appeal of fresh-cut vegetables and fruits.