The Canadian produce industry is a close-knit group that can be compared to a large extended family. That family lost one of its more beloved and respected members on Nov. 8 when Cory Clack-Streef, president of Mississauga, ON-based Faye Clack Communications, died following a two- year battle with breast cancer. She was 46.

WASHINGTON -- A Senate vote cast Nov. 16 failed to end the stalemate on the 2007 farm bill, a move that could jeopardize the hard-fought funding reforms for specialty crop programs this year.

Steve Kenfield, who joined SunFed in Nogales, AZ, as vice president of sales and marketing about a year ago and who was quickly promoted to president, has now returned to California's San Joaquin Valley and accepted employment at The HMC Group Marketing in Kingsburg, CA. Before going to SunFed, he had been president of Ripe 'N Ready in Parlier, CA, for several years. Previously he was president of Kings Canyon-Corrin LLC in Reedley, CA.

MAUI, HI -- Bob Gray of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. in Salinas, CA, was elected chairman of the board of Western Growers at its 82nd annual meeting, held here, Monday, Nov. 12.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Social Security Administration has agreed to not send divisive "no match" letters this year but is planning to mail them in February or March of 2008, depending on the outcome of federal litigation, according to Mark Hinkle, SSA spokesperson.

The California division of the Natural Resources Conservation Service has recognized Jesus Castillo for his outstanding contributions to environmentally responsible farming.

He was a small farmer in his native Jalisco, Mexico, and since he arrived in the Santa Maria, CA, area, he has used his years of experience to make a living growing strawberries and tomatillos.