A gathering of some 400 growers and interested parties turned out Feb. 6 for the annual Idaho-eastern Oregon growers meeting in Ontario, OR.

Held at the Four River Cultural Center, the daylong event incorporated a trade show with numerous work sessions and panel discussions.

The Vidalia Onion Committee in Vidalia, GA, announced the 2006 winners for Hall of Fame and Grower of the Year at its annual Growers' Celebration Feb. 3.

The 2006 Grower of the Year award was presented posthumously to Wayne Douberly of Vidalia. Mr. Douberly died in October; his wife, Frances, accepted the award on his behalf.

Temperatures that dropped to about 27 degrees Feb. 17 in Belle Glade, FL, and then to 30-31 degrees Feb. 19 caused losses to sweet corn and green beans that are expected to reach into the millions of dollars.

Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati has appointed Michael J. Holcomb, 47, vice president of corporate sales and customer development. He will be responsible for the company's global sales organization and will report to Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. He will also serve on the company's management committee.

Two sister produce companies, Coastal Sunbelt Produce Co. and East Coast Fresh Cuts Inc., which share a large facility in Savage, MD, have been acquired by MCG Capital Corp., a publicly traded business-development company based in Arlington, VA.

MCG's management team is also a buyer in this deal, which was completed Jan. 8. MCG Capital indicated that it has $1.3 billion in total assets.

John R. Catlin, who spent some 20 years with the Irvine, CA-based Western Growers Association as the organization's PACA representative, died Jan. 27 in Olympia, WA. He was 90.

Born July 9, 1917, in Platte, SD, Mr. Catlin graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. He spent four years in the U.S. Army during World War II, taking part in the Normandy invasion and landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day.