The U.S. government formally launched the unilateral Caribbean Basin Initiative in 1984. President Ronald Reagan's goal was to counter the appeal of communism in Central America and the Caribbean islands by bolstering the economies of the countries in those regions.

The theory was that if people were profitably employed they would be disinterested in taking up arms to effect a change of government. Given the region’s climate and geographic resources, agricultural development was a natural focus.

Agricultural producers from across the Northeast will convene March 1-3 in scenic Sturbridge, MA, for Harvest New England Association's third biannual marketing conference and trade show. The theme of the 2011 event is "The Expanding New England Farm Enterprise: Reaping More from What We Sow."

WATSONVILLE, CA -- For the last 16 years, Fritz Koontz has been a partner in Beach Street Farms LLC, a grower-shipper of strawberries based here. He recently decided it was time to branch out on his own and will open the doors on a new strawberry growing and shipping company.

Santa Cruz Berry Farming Company will be based here and will specialize in organic but will also grow conventional strawberries utilizing both university and proprietary varieties.

Organic sales showed stronger growth in 2010 than in 2009, despite the continued poor economy, according to Barbara Haumann, senior writer and editor for the Organic Trade Association in Greenfield, MA.

"A 7 percent growth rate was projected for 2010, but we witnessed an 8 percent growth rate," she said. "This was inspiring because organics grew by only 5.1 percent in 1999. We have projected a 7 percent growth rate again for 2011, but we feel we could actually hit 10 percent by the end of the year. We're very optimistic for the future."

A year ago, truck drivers were loudly complaining about new California engine emission regulations that required many truck operators to retrofit older engines with costly repairs. This year, the noise has died down, and most produce industry truckers have complied.