The United Fresh Produce Association has opened registration for its United Fresh 2009 show, which will be held April 21-24 in Las Vegas, NV.

One of the event highlights will be the keynote address delivered by Steve Forbes, president, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine. People interested in attending the show and Mr. Forbes' How Capitalism Will Save Us keynote address may register on-line at unitedfresh.org or contact United Fresh at 202/303-3400.

MONTEREY, CA -- The Culinary Center of Monterey, here on Cannery Row, has plans for expansion that would open itself even more to the fresh produce industry.

The California Raisin Marketing Board, based in Fresno, CA, announced the hiring of Gary Schultz as president and Rick O'Fallon as marketing director.

Mr. Schulz brings more than 25 years of agriculture business experience to his position as president of the raisin board. Previously, he was general manager for the non-profit International Agri-Center for more than 15 years and managed the world's largest agriculture trade show, World Ag Expo. More recently, he has consulted on organization management through his own consulting firm.

WASHINGTON -- Short on funds to pay for implementing the new country- of-origin labeling program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to reach over and grab $3 million from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to cover the shortfall.

But specialty crop producers are trying to put the brakes on the deal by alerting members of Congress.

Carl Adams Jr. of Adams Produce Co. in Birmingham, AL, died Jan. 10 at the age of 91.

Born April 11, 1917 in Birmingham, Mr. Adams was married to his beloved wife, Betty Bryding DeVore, for 61 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in 1938 and went on to serve during World War II in the European theater, where he earned the Bronze Star.