Strawberry commission names president
At the Jan. 19 meeting of the board of directors of the California Strawberry Commission, strawberry grower Mark Murai was hired as president.
Mr. Murai, a third-generation Orange County farmer, has served on the commission's board of directors for 17 years and led the organization as its chairman of the board from 2002 to 2004. He served as interim president for the past five months before accepting the permanent position.
Washington State Potato Conference lunch to showcase new variety
The 2006 Washington State Potato Conference will be trotting out another first: a chance to taste and evaluate a new potato variety developed by the Northwest (Tri-State) Variety Development Program. The unnamed variety will be offered at the potato bar lunch during the Feb. 7-9 conference.
Mexico's Washington ag minister reassigned to Ottawa
Enrique Lobo, who was previously minister of agriculture in the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC, has been reassigned to the agricultural office of the Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa, ON, where he will be minister of agricultural affairs.
Clifford J. Moquist of O.C. Shulz & Sons dies at 90
Clifford J. Moquist, a well-known name in the Red River Valley potato industry, died Dec. 19 at age 90 in Melbourne, FL. Mr. Moquist, of Crystal, ND, was a founding partner of O.C. Shulz & Sons Inc., a farming and potato wash plant operation in Crystal.
He was born in Minneapolis to Swedish immigrant parents, and grew up in Minnesota, New York City, East Meredith, NY, and Farmingdale, NY.
Outrigger canoe racing a passion for Del Rey's Hunter
FALLBROOK, CA -- Jessica Siemer Hunter, the daughter of Bob Siemer, a partner at Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc., here, works with her father in Del Rey's field department. But when not working with the fruit that is ubiquitous in the area, she pursues her passion of team paddling outrigger canoes competitively.
Organics Unlimited finds growing consumer response to 'GROW' initiative
Organics Unlimited of San Diego, CA, is seeing increasing consumer interest in the bananas the firm is selling with the new "GROW" label.
"People who are buying organic produce are normally socially and politically concerned," said Michael Rocca, produce buyer for Watsonville Coast Produce, who added that this is one of the reasons the GROW Foundation has been experiencing major success in its first year.
SALINAS SCENE: EVS Farms' Dennis Donohue announces candidacy for mayor
Dennis Donohue, president of Salinas-based European Vegetable Specialties Farms Inc., has announced his candidacy for mayor of Salinas.
Mr. Donohue is a member of the board of directors of the Salinas-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. He also is the newly installed chairman of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Produce Marketing Association's foodservice board.
PMA's retail conference to focus on winning new consumers
The Produce Marketing Association's Retail Produce Solutions Conference will be held March 9-11 in Houston. The three-day conference is designed to give executives representing every segment of the supply chain the opportunity to focus on the unique challenges and solutions of the fresh produce industry. A particular focus will be marketing to the "new consumer" segments, namely Hispanics, Asians, GenXers and children.
Herb Thyme continues growth with acquisition of McCormick
In a move that solidifies Los Angeles-based Herb Thyme Farms Inc.'s position as a leading U.S. grower, shipper and marketer of fresh culinary herbs and edible flowers, the company has acquired the business operations of McCormick Fresh Herbs LLC.
New York nominates new ag commissioner
New York Gov. George E. Pataki has nominated Patrick Brennan to serve as commissioner of agriculture and markets. He succeeds Nathan Rudgers, who stepped down from the post late last year.
As the state's agriculture commissioner, Mr. Brennan will oversee the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture & Markets, an agency that has both regulatory and promotional oversight of the food and agricultural industry.