WASHINGTON — Produce companies are getting so frustrated over congressional inaction on immigration reform that they may be rethinking plans to contribute to Republican campaigns.

Agriculture groups are beginning to loudly criticize House Republicans for not moving on immigration reform at a time when the opportunity for legislation appears to be slipping away.

MONROE, NJ — The New Jersey Agricultural Society drew a large crowd to its annual gala, held this year Friday evening, March 28, at the Forsgate Country Club, here.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, and it’s traditionally an extremely busy floral holiday. According to an IPSOS - Insight Floral Trends Consumer Tracking Study, a third of adults buy flowers or plants as gifts for Mother’s Day, and it accounts for 25 percent of yearly floral holiday dollars.

There is optimism among some supermarket floral executives hoping that Mother’s Day, along with the other spring holidays, will erase their year-to-date sales deficits.

China’s largest international horticultural trade show, Hortiflorexpo IPM, will be held April 23-26 at the Beijing Exhibition Center. Sponsored by the China Flower Association, Hortiflorexpo IPM features floriculture, horticulture and the newest innovations, products and services for the entire gardening industry.

The China Flower Association has partnered with Messe Essen Germany since 2012 for this joint fair. Top florists from Germany will demonstrate the newest trends in floral design during the show.

The effect of the California drought on flower growers differs widely in the various growing regions of the Golden State. Much of Northern California is in a state of water emergency and Southern California is essentially a desert area that needs its water transported in from miles away. Flower farms in those two areas of the state have been more adversely affected than those along the Central Coast.

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Northern California Expo is set for April 9 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA.

The theme of the expo is “Connect and Grow.” Anticipated attendance is over 1,500 professionals from across all sectors of the fresh produce and floral industry, Carissa Mace, FPFC president, said.