California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently issued a proclamation backing Salute to Agriculture 2007, the three-day series of events that draws attention to the Salinas Valley's agriculture industry.

The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce coordinated the series, which ran from Sept. 12 through Sept. 14.

FRESNO, CA -- SB 180, a bill recently passed by the California Senate and Assembly, has been sent to the governor's desk and is awaiting either his signature or his veto. The bill would strip farmworkers of their right to secret-ballot elections when deciding whether to unionize, according to Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, here.

The league, along with several other farm groups, is urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto the bill, Mr. Bedwell said.

"As part of our greenhouse expansion, we've decided to bring the best bell peppers to the market year round," Luis de Saracho, chief executive officer of Mexican firm Divemex, said in a statement.

"We have grown our acreage in our facilities in Mexico, and the main idea is to have new plants in two stages of the year: one from October to May and a second from June to December. This is the only way to have fresh crops all year with the best shelf life."

BOCA RATON, FL -- While "Industry Crossroads" was the theme of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's 64th annual convention, held here Sept. 16-18, the event also served to underline the importance of industry unity in the face of challenging times.

At the Cracker Breakfast Sept. 18, keynote speaker Larry Winget, author and host of the reality television show "Big Spender," brought attendees together with his unique style of humor in pulling from his best-selling book Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get A Life.

WASHINGTON -- A group known for tirelessly advocating immigration reform, the New York Apple Association received the 2007 Produce Advocate of the Year Award at the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference.

With the shareholders of Seattle-based grocery wholesaler Associated Grocers Inc. approving the sale of the company to Unified Western Grocers in Los Angeles, Unified has now moved into being one of the top-five retailer wholesalers in the country. And the close to 3,000 retailers it serves, in aggregate, create buying power that could be among the top 10 retail operations in the country.