PARMA, ID -- All indicators in late July pointed to numbers similar to those of 2005-06 for the crop harvested out of Idaho-eastern Oregon's Treasure Valley, one of the United States' larger onion- growing regions.

Industry experts agree, however, that totals will not be known until the entire crop is out of the ground. Due to late planting in some areas, harvest could run into mid- or late October.

The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will welcome partners, members and guests to its 59th annual convention Aug. 17-19 at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, QC.

Working with the theme "QPMA: At the Heart of the Industry," association members, including President Daniel Decelle and convention Chairman Chris Kyriopoulos, have prepared an impressive program for attendees.

Sophie Perreault loves her job.

In fact, she loves serving as the executive director of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association so much that at times she said that she spend hours at it and has to remind herself to turn off her computer and do something else.

That "something else" often means volunteering in the community for organizations such as the United Nations Chidrens' Fund and for the Defi Sportif, one of the world's larger sporting events for disabled athletes that takes place in Montreal every April.

Connecticut's vegetable production season began early this year with favorable weather in April. Farmers were excited about getting into their fields earlier than usual, and were able to plant many crops ahead of schedule.

Then came the rain. Then came more. And still more.

The entire state experienced much heavier-than-normal precipitation throughout May and June. Vegetable production areas were soaked, making field work nearly impossible for most of those two months. Spring was very challenging for Connecticut's farmers.

A nice mix of business and social events was enjoyed by roughly 300 people who attended Indianapolis Fruit's 19th annual trade show and golf outing July 24-25 in Indianapolis.

Kicking off the two-day event July 24 were presentations at the Indiana State Museum by Bryan Silbermann, president of the Produce Marketing Association, and Tonya Antle, vice president of organic sales for Earthbound Farm, a leading distributor of organic produce based in San Juan Bautista, CA.