WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted March 12 to give farm bill negotiators until April 18 to broker a deal with the White House, and the House of Representatives was expected to vote on the stopgap extension later in the day.

The 2002 farm bill expires March 15, so lawmakers struggling to agree on how to finance the bill said they needed more time to negotiate differences before they recess for the two-week Easter break. Congress extended the bill once before to March 15 after failing to reach an agreement in September.

Chuck Ciruli lll, chief executive officer of Ciruli Bros. in Rio Rico, AZ, has announced that the firm will be making a significant commitment to the organic produce market.

"The organic produce market has expanded dramatically in the last 10 years, and we want to be a part of that growth," Mr. Ciruli said in a press release. The organic produce will be marketed under the "Ciruli Brothers Organika" brand, Mr. Ciruli added, and will be guided by the same strict standard of excellence that has been the trademark of Ciruli Bros. for over 65 successful years.

Stan Paluszewski rejoined the Four Seasons Produce Inc. team March 10 as national sales manager.

Recently, Mr. Paluszewski was in eastern division sales and marketing for produce and floral with Supervalu Inc. in Mechanicsville, VA.

He brings over 35 years of wholesale and retail operations and merchandising experience to the business development team at Four Seasons. He had previously worked with Four Seasons' retail and merchandising group and additionally worked with a variety of retailers including Kroger, Food Lion, Sams Club, SuperKmart and Winn Dixie.

WALLA WALLA, WA -- As its overall onion volume ramps up by 20-25 percent in 2008, Sweet Clover Produce is anticipating a major jump in its organics.

"Our project volume of organics is increasing by 50 percent," Sales Manager Bill Brownfield said in early March. The company, which specializes in contracts and has offices here and in Quincy, WA, packs at three primary facilities in the Northwest and offers sweet and hybrid onions year round.

LOS ANGELES -- The Giumarra Cos. has announced the addition of a new salesperson, Miguel Beltran, to its Giumarra Reedley stone fruit team.

Mr. Beltran comes to Giumarra with more than a decade of experience in the produce industry.

"It's important for us to continue fully serving our customers as our division grows," Eric Blaylock, general manager of Giumarra Reedley, said in a March 14 statement. "The addition of Miguel and the experience he brings to our team will help us do that."

After more than a decade of selling organic fruits and vegetables as Sierra Heights Marketing, the Porterville, CA-based firm has made the decision to create a company image and branding that better describe the core of what Sierra Heights Marketing is made of: family organic growers.