Index Fresh Inc., which packs avocados in the “AvoTerra” brand, among others, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014.

Although the company handles avocados from several growing regions, “we are a corporation owned by California growers,” said President Dana Thomas in an interview with The Produce News Feb. 20. “We have 100 years of representing California growers, so the California crop is incredibly important to us.”

The company will be “talking a lot” about its plans to celebrate its 100-year history “as we get ready to roll that out,” he said.

OFA, The Association of Horticulture Professionals, and the American Nursery & Landscape Association launched their first joint event, Next Level, Jan. 31-Feb. 2 in Nashville, TN. The conference represents one of first steps toward the proposed consolidation between the two groups.

Next Level is an educational conference designed to help participants develop their business acumen and personal leadership skills. A volunteer advisory group of members from both groups worked with staff to develop the conference.

Organizers of two Russian horticulture trade shows announced an agreement Jan. 15 in Moscow to hold their two fairs on the same dates in the same building to cover the complete span of Russian floriculture, gardening and landscaping in one event.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Fair Flowers Fair Plants is coming to the United States on a trial basis in the coming year in cooperation with MPS certification company, according to Arthij van der Veer, MPS international coordinator.

With comprehensive immigration reform gaining momentum in Washington, DC, floral industry professionals will be making visits to Capitol Hill March 12 in an attempt to make sure members of Congress clearly understand how immigration policy affects flower growers and floral wholesalers and retailers.

The Society of American Florists was scheduled to meet March 11 in Alexandria, VA, for its annual Congressional Action Days, which includes speakers and briefings March 11 and visits to Congressional offices March 12.

John Nevado, president of Nevado Roses in Ecuador, won the 2012 Innovation Pioneers One Wish Award for “exceptional ideas and outstanding actions” in transforming the rose-farming industry, according to a news release. The award was presented recently at the 2012 Innovation in Action symposium held late last year in Stockholm, Sweden.