McALLEN, TX — Two things were readily apparent at the first-ever America Trades Produce Conference, held March 30-April 1 at the McAllen Convention Center, here.

Close to a decade ago, Anthony Vineyards Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, had the opportunity to buy a certified organic vineyard in California's San Joaquin Valley.

JOE CALENDA has joined Ciruli Bros. LLC in Nogales, AZ, as the company's director of foodservice and retail programs.

"We have strong and long-established business relationships with our retail and wholesale partners in Canada," said Nick Pacia, vice president of A.J. Trucco at the Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY. "These companies and their clientele are longtime supporters of our fresh Italian chestnuts from Avellino, Italy, and our kiwifruit, especially those from Italy and Chile."

At age 27, Timothy Linkletter, a partner in Linkletter Farms, a potato producer located on the outskirts of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, has his arms wrapped solidly around his career, his family and his faith. The company was incorporated in 1965 by his grandfather, Leigh Linkletter, and his brother, Garth Linkletter, but its history goes back centuries.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Department of Agriculture staff who work on programs such as specialty crop block grants, country-of-origin labeling and marketing agreements would be furloughed if Congress and the White House fail to reach an agreement on a government spending plan by tonight.

Congress has until midnight Friday, April 8, to pass a budget, or the federal government will shut down, except for essential employees.

So who would be open for business on Monday?