Times have been tough across America for the past three years, but in large part the economic woes that have plagued the other 49 states have skipped over Texas. And now, not surprisingly, new numbers show that the Lone Star State is leading the rest of the pack when it comes to economic recovery.

In some states, agriculture has gotten short shrift from legislatures as budgets have tightened. In others, agriculture is being called on to shoulder more of the load as other industries collapse.

The 10th annual Scramble for a Cure golf tournament, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society, was held in late September at the Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, FL.

Following six years of unprecedented growth for Idaho potatoes in international markets, the Eagle, ID-based Idaho Potato Commission has hired Amanda Albers as its first international marketing manager and has established new offices in Mexico, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

The main objective of the commission's expanded international division will be to mine opportunities in foreign markets and provide assistance to Idaho potato shippers wishing to export fresh potatoes overseas.

With record-breaking volumes of Jazz apples coming off the trees this season, Enza and Oppenheimer are sharing the abundance.

Washington Jazz volume is forecasted to grow over 30 percent in a single year, prompting the variety's owner, Enza, to invite Rainier Fruit Co. in Selah, WA, into a sub-agency marketing arrangement with Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack has designated 16 New Jersey counties as natural disaster areas to assist farms that suffered losses due to excessive heat and drought during the 2010 growing season.

Farmers in New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties may now access federal assistance programs for damages to their crops from the severe weather they endured.

PHILADELPHIA - Eugene Bailey, executive director of the Diamond State Port Corp. in Wilmington, DE, was named the recipient of the 13th annual Friend of Chile Award Nov. 18. The Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia gives the honor. Arturo Fermandois, Chilean ambassador to the United States, presented the award.