WASHINGTON -- The border could be shut down, making it difficult to maintain the estimated 1 million undocumented agriculture workers in the country, or foreign workers could earn a chance to become U.S. citizens, depending on the immigration reform bill that survives Congress.

"There are two polar opposite approaches to immigration reform before Congress now," said Robert Guenther of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association in Washington.

River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, CA, has promoted Tom Bramers to sales manager.

He has been with River Ranch for 11 years and was previously leaf lettuce commodity manager. In his new position, he will manage the 10-person sales staff and oversee day-to-day sales functions, emphasiszing commodity markets and customer relationships.

BANGKOK, THAILAND -- The epic 21-hour flight to Bangkok notwithstanding, the trip to Thailand was an incredible experience and opened my eyes in many ways. Never having been to Asia, I knew not what to expect, but was filled with excitement and apprehension based on second-hand anecdotes and some Internet research.

The Avian flu has been in the headlines for months with talks of a pandemic and questions about the preparedness of the United States for an outbreak. In fact, federal and state health officials throughout the country have issued warnings advising that companies and local officials develop and have ready a preparedness plan.

This in turn has led to many companies around the country asking their suppliers if they have a plan in place. Numerous produce shippers have received letters from retailers asking for a copy of their plan.

"Florida blueberries" may have an unfamiliar ring for many. The popular fruit is commonly associated with Michigan, New Jersey and other northern states, with the bulk of off-season supplies coming from South American countries.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association has elected its new incoming chairman. Larry McIntosh, president and chief executive officer of Peak of the Market, will be inducted as only the fourth Manitoban ever to serve as chairman in CPMA's 82-year history. He will become chairman at the CPMA convention in Montreal May 8, 2007, and will remain in office until the convention in Calgary in May 2008.