Mission Produce Inc. in Oxnard, CA, has announced that the shareholders have purchased a 49 percent interest in Henry Avocado Corp. As a result, the two companies have formed a strategic alliance.

"Initially, we are going to be sharing fruit and information and talking everyday," said Steve Barnard, president and chief executive officer of Mission.

Valentine's Day brings lots of red heart cards, candy boxes and Cupids with quivers winging about. And in Wisconsin, it heralds a uniquely special way to say, "I love you" -- with a heart-healthy serving of the state's own potatoes.

MONTE VISTA, CO -- By an overwhelming majority of 79 percent to 21 percent, potato grower-shippers in Colorado's San Luis Valley have voted to retain their federal and state marketing orders' mandatory inspections.

MONTE VISTA, CO -- With a 10 percent reduction in acreage in 2005, potato growers and shippers in Colorado's San Luis Valley were seeing predictable shortages in January as well as the hoped-for result of such a reduction: higher returns on their product.

Planted acres were stated at 58,000, down from 63,000 in 2004, and Linda Weyers, assistant executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, said that figures in January indicated shipments that month were ahead of the same time period the previous year.

Joe Marino realizes it is a special honor to be named New Jersey's Outstanding Young Farmer.

Being given that honor at the same time as his father, Russell, is receiving a Distinguished Service to New Jersey Agriculture Award, and just months after his mother, Judi, was honored by the Gloucester County Board of Agriculture for her contributions to the industry, makes it even more special for this farmer.

"If anybody's been dedicated to farming and his community, it's my dad," Joe said of his father. "So it is special to receive the awards at the same time."