I don't know about you, but at home I have been experiencing phone call after phone call from insurance agencies, department stores, home improvement centers, telephone companies, banks and even window washers trying to sell me something new or convince me to upgrade what I already have.

Additionally, I am receiving loads of coupons in the mail from restaurants vying for my patronage. It's all part of "emergency marketing" as companies solicit for business in a slumping economy.

James Dale (J.D.) Ward Jr., co-founder of Sierra View Sales in Fresno, CA, died Dec. 9 in Lenox, IA, where he had been living for the past 18 months since moving from Fresno, CA. He was 55.

The cause of death was not revealed.

SACRAMENTO, CA -- State and federal agriculture officials have confirmed a Mexican fruit fly infestation near Azusa in Los Angeles County, prompting the declaration of a 70-square-mile quarantine.

A map of the quarantine area is available on-line at http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/PDF/maps/MEXFLYAZUSA.pdf

A group of more than 30 leading growers, suppliers, buyers, technical experts, environmental organizations and public interest organizations announced Dec. 18 the formation of the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops.

Through an inclusive effort, the multi-stakeholder initiative will develop and share a comprehensive system for measuring sustainable performance across the supply chain -- at farms, processors, distributors, food-service providers and retailers.

The Center for Produce Safety and the California Leafy Greens Research Board announced Nov. 20 a joint call for food-safety research proposals.

The research areas are directed to answer critical research questions that fill the gaps in the basic understanding in specific areas of food-safety practices for leafy greens production. The objective is to provide the leafy greens produce industry with practical, translatable research data that can be used at all levels throughout the supply chain.

The Idaho Potato Retail Display Contest, one of the industry's more anticipated retail promotions of the year, is back. With more than $150,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs and a free DVD/MP3 player to all qualified entrants, everyone's a winner guaranteed.

Now in its 18th year, this contest continues to attract huge support from retailers from across the country. Last year, close to 1,900 entries were received.