The U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly forecast of the 2013-14 Florida orange crop decreased slightly to 114 million boxes. The USDA estimated early-mid orange varieties down 1 million to 53 million boxes, while Valencias remained at 61 million boxes.

Black Gold Farms, an leader in Irish potato production based in Grand Forks, ND, recently acquired all facilities and real estate from Dawson Farms, a leading sweet potato grower located near Delhi, LA.

While Black Gold Farms has been growing sweet potatoes for four years for the processing industry, this acquisition will allow it to considerably expand its volume of processing potatoes as well as provide an entrance into the table stock sweet potato arena in a significant way.

Farm Star Living announces a recent partnership with Limoneira, its new exclusive lemon sponsor for 2014. The partnership is designed to showcase the "Limoneira" brand and products to Farm Star Living’s fast-growing consumer-based website and app users.

RedLine Solutions, based in Santa Clara, CA, recently hired Maureen O’Brien as director of marketing.

In her new position, O’Brien is responsible for leading and managing strategic marketing direction in support of the company’s growth objectives.

Prior to joining RedLine Solutions, O’Brien worked for six years in the video delivery infrastructure solutions industry for Harmonic Inc. in San Jose, CA, managing global and American field marketing.

At its annual meeting in Salinas, CA, March 6, Navidad Medical Foundation honored Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates and the company's chairman and chief executive officer, J. Miles Reiter, with its annual Hero Award in recognition of donations from Driscoll's totaling $107,700 to support Natividad's cross-cultural initiatives.

Del Fresco Produce Ltd. has teamed up with Roundy’s Supermarkets to participate in a Kraft co-promotion “Grilled Cheese with Tomato Sandwich.” Del Fresco will be providing beefsteak and cluster tomatoes.