The owners of South Africa's ALG Estates, one of that country’s leading producers and exporters of citrus, have been awarded the prestigious Farmer of the Year Award by the society of Agricultural Writers of South Africa. The annual award, now in its 33rd year, is among the country’s more coveted agricultural prizes.

Brothers Gerrit and Alwyn van der Merwe along with Gerrit van der Merwe Jr. earned the accolades based on their farming and scientific agricultural merit and exemplary achievements with good planning and dedication in all kinds of conditions and environments.

Luther Burbank, an agricultural pioneer, horticulturist and botanist, was responsible for successfully developing over 800 plant varieties throughout his long career. Among some of the more popular species were the Freestone peach, Santa Rosa plum, Wickson plum, Flaming Gold nectarine and the popular Shasta daisy.

In the 1870s, Mr. Burbank was also responsible for developing the russet potato. These long, cylindrical, heavily netted gems eventually became quite popular with consumers.

Let the contest begin. The 2011 Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest is officially open.

Every February for 20 consecutive years, thousands of produce aisles around the country become the Mecca for Idaho potato lovers. Produce managers put their merchandising skills to the test in an attempt to create the top tater display during the Idaho Potato Commission’s Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest.

WASHINGTON — Food safety legislation, left for dead several times over the last year, passed the House of Representatives by a 215 to 144 vote Dec. 21, clearing the way for President Obama to sign it into law.

In a surprise move, Senate Democrats resuscitated the bill Dec. 19 by attaching it to HR 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle & Save Act, and passed it by unanimous consent. After a 40-minute debate, the House approved it.

VIENNA, VA -- The nation's apple harvest yielded an abundant, delicious crop of apples in 2010, and many retailers took that opportunity to display and feature them in their produce departments this fall.

NOGALES, AZ — Jorge (George) Gotsis Cevallos, owner and president of Omega Produce Co. Inc., here, was one of two first-year recipients of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' new Pillar of the Industry award presented at the FPAA’s 42nd Annual Produce Convention Nov. 6.

The other recognition went posthumously to Roy Lundstrom, who had spent much of his long produce career at GAC Produce

Mr. Gotsis first began to work for Omega, his sister’s distribution company, in 1951. In time, he became a partner, and in 1961 he began buying the remaining shares.