HARTFORD, CT -- Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced $823,636 in grant funds to help expand and advance the state's agricultural economy. The grants are administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

The funds will go to 14 agricultural producers, two non-profit agricultural organizations and 16 municipalities throughout the state as part of the Connecticut Agriculture Viability Grant program.

Salinas, CA-based Growers Express and nearby Moss Landing, CA-based Capurro Farms have reached an agreement on a partnership, according to Woody Johnson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Growers Express LLC.

The partnership agreement, which was reached on Christmas Eve, forms a strong company with wide market reach, innovative products and a diverse farming base. Under the agreement, Capurro Farms will continue to grow its usual range of products, and Growers Express will continue in its selling, marketing and distributing capacity.

Paul Frederic's retirement was fun while it lasted.

The 30-year veteran of the mushroom industry traveled for two years and did the other activities retired people are supposed to do. Then, missing the challenges of the mushroom business, he decided it was time to go back to work.

Korean pears increase in popularity and consumption year after year in the United States, but not every Korean pear is truly sensational. Melissa's/World Variety Produce in Los Angeles runs its supply from November through March each year, and the response from customers is consistently great.

"We offer crisp, sweet, flavorful and larger-sized pears than most," said Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa's. "They are considered a premium variety, and are special not only because of the production process but also because they make a beautiful presentation."

SACRAMENTO, CA -- Mexico has announced that it will once again allow imports of California spinach but is requiring that any imported spinach products must by grown and shipped by member-companies of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.

Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks announced the import requirements in late November. Canada issued similar import requirements earlier this year.

Dayka & Hackett LLC in Reedley, CA, has expanded its sales team with the hiring of two high-profile industry veterans, Julian Lipschitz and Mike Weaver, in what the company characterized as "a dramatic shift within the California grape and tree fruit marketing community." According to a company press release, "the move is expected to significantly bolster Dayka & Hackett's market share" in the grape and tree fruit categories.